A filter element comprising a spirally wound filter through which a fluid to be filtered flows axially and which is provided with a mounting ring on the circumference of the wound filter secured to the wound filter by a welded, adhesive, extruded or fused joint. The mounting ring is provided with a circumferential profiled seal which engages a housing in which the filter element is installed to provide a seal between an unfiltered fluid side of the filter element and a filtered fluid side of the filter element.