No one here with early models of R50 that have this "life long" fuel filter?
This may concern you too...

 

Your MINI ONE in needs very little fuel....
Unless you get codes saying you are running lean due to low psi....ignore it. When it must be done...you have a choice...a new fuel pump and filter or modify what you have. Since the fuel flow in a mini one is so low....I bet the filter has lots of life left. You have likly burned less than HALF the fuel of a S of the same year with similar miles....
If you want to be OCD about it...go ahead...spend the $$...but the nonfactory wiring and seal tells me it is messed up...but running....if you open it..and the tabs are broken...you might get into a whole new can of worms...like needing a new gas tank. Somebody has messed with it before...and they somehow made it work...why mess with it?
Even if a person has a way to replace the lifetime filter...yours is glued in with extra wires....might find a different model pump/filter in there....nobody knows. But your car runs fine now.....and will run fine till you mess with it...then it is up to you to spend the $$$ to fix it...maybe the prior fix will outlast the car?? Nobody knows....but why cross the bridge today?

 

Thanks a lot, That was a very detailed answer that made me set my mind and leave it for now.. Just I'm still wondering about the wiring , which problem could have led to that solution?

 

Simplest thing IMO is to try to trace the wires back to where they are wired into the power source.... You might find they are indeed a power supply for an aftermarket pump.....perhaps had different connectors...so rather than bucher the cars wiring harness....they just ran a new power wire for the pump...so if this attempted fix (the pump) they could just buy a more $$ OEM pump and plug it in....
Since there is actually 2 fuel level sending units in the tank...one with the pump....and one on the other side...this might explain WHY you have issues with your fuel gauge. But to be safe...I just set the trip odometer...and fuel up around 300 miles (or sooner)...leaves me with about 3-4 gallons left...a comfortable amount for me...my guage works fine...but IMO...never trust them.

 

BUMP
i have the same metal fuel filter so , and i have a german R53 so can i change it for the other one with the filter that you have ?