I'm just chiming in on this thread to note that the last filter I installed was a Mahle-Knecht filter from AutohausAZ. Changing my oil and filter this evening and am having a terrible time trying to get that filter out. I was pulling pretty forcefully and couldn't get the old one to come out, so I resorted to cutting through the hard plastic end cap, then tore out the paper filter portion and now am left with the other plastic cap stuck down in the oil filter cap. Some have advocated for this type of filter with the hard ends, but I won't be buying another one after this experience. Now to figure out how to get the rest of the old filter out.

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2001 e53 X5 3.0i (10/2000 build date) - Beige exterior, Beige/Sand interior w/ light wood