So I finally got myself to change the fuel filter on my 1.4 TDI - I was a bit afraid of this job (I had an updated drain plug, but I worried about starting the engine afterwards) - and I have to say that this is not a very happy design ... All screws holding the bottom cover broke off (no chance to get them in one piece), making the fuel dip from the bleed screw took 30 minutes and still I had to give several 20s cranking with the starter for the engine to run (it started normally and then cut-of after is used all the fuel from the line.
Happy part is that is is now ok, the filter is new (the old one was from 2012..., all black...) - the car seam to run better now (but is could be just autosugestion).
Nevertheless - this area could have been designed better...