Likely the techs just took the whole canister off (why mess with the extra step when you have a large drain tank under the X5?). The filter would have been an unholy mess if it had never been changed.

If you are paranoid about it, just change the oil twice as often as the indicator lights suggest for a while. Heck, that's what I normally do anyway on my vehicles anyway.

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Kirk
Las Vegas
2016 X5 40e Mineral White/Black Dakota Leather, ZLL, ZCW, ZDA, ZDB, ZPP, multi contour seats, rear side window shades, HK stereo
2011 E90M3, 6-speed manual