STP oil filter ok??

[aaron0558]

Picked up some gc0w-30 today at autozone and the salesman talked me into an stp oil filter. My concerns are proper fitting, filter material, and diameter of the o-ring. Am I being ridiculous or should I make a special trip to the dealer and pick up a Mahle?? tks

[edco]

Originally Posted by aaron0558

Picked up some gc0w-30 today at autozone and the salesman talked me into an stp oil filter. My concerns are proper fitting, filter material, and diameter of the o-ring. Am I being ridiculous or should I make a special trip to the dealer and pick up a Mahle?? tks

Personally, I don't buy anything but BMW OEM filters. Why tamper with the success of the engineers that built the engine to save $5 on a filter..

To me it's like using regular gas...

However, everyone is entitled to and should express their opinion (especially if it agrees with mine )

Cheers !
Ed

[motordavid]

Maybe to the STP, but not my first pick...
Here's an excellent and recent thread on OF brands,
easily copped via the Search Tab.
GL,mD

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...4-engines.html

[Weasel]

I'll put it this way... most, if not all of the failed engines that come through the shop have had aftermarket oil changes with aftermarket filters installed. Yet all of the vehicles that are well over 200,000 miles that come through and run great have OEM filters and oil.

With something as important to the engine as oil, and the filtering of said oil... Why risk it with anything less than what is proven to be the best option?

[BlackE32_SilverE53]

Originally Posted by Weasel

I'll put it this way... most, if not all of the failed engines that come through the shop have had aftermarket oil changes with aftermarket filters installed. Yet all of the vehicles that are well over 200,000 miles that come through and run great have OEM filters and oil.

With something as important to the engine as oil, and the filtering of said oil... Why risk it with anything less than what is proven to be the best option?

Like Weasel said, I use BMW filters ONLY!!!!! I have been driving BMWs since 1991 and have never had major engine failure or the engine die before something happening to the car..... My BMWs have always ran strong without any of the nightmares I read on this forum, and I have driven 3 over 300K miles so I stand by my BMW oil filters, always used them, always will.

[princemoe2m]

don't use stp filter or any other after market filters & if u do after couple oil changes u gonna end up replacing the whole oil housing ($300+) happened to me due of lack of knowledge on the previous owner of my X... why don't u just spend extra $5 and safe u the headache on the outcome..

[FSETH]

Take it back. IMO, it wont filter as well as OEM. Especially if you are pushing the typical 15,000 oil change intervals. The BMW filter was better desiged for that long of an interval.

Also, 0w30 is not the BMW recommended SAE class of oil. Use what BMW recommends as far as oil weight. Check your owners manual.

[aaron0558]

Ok so icksnay on the stp....thank you for responding. Whats wrong with the gc0w-30?

[FSETH]

Here is the link to a really good thread, IMO. The first half is about filters and the second is about oil. It should answer all of your questions.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ngine-oil.html

0w-30 is not the SAE recommended by BMW for any e53 that I am aware of. Oil has an API rating and an SAE rating/weight. You need to be sure you are using what BMW recommends for both. (Actually, you will see in the the above attached thread that newer API's can supersede what BMW originally recommended for your car due to advances in oil technology).

Open your owners manual to the index and look for oil. Go to that section and it should tell you what SAE is recommended for your particular year and model. 10w-40 or a 0w-40 is common for a 3.0/4.4.

[RDM3]

I buy Mahle, Bosch or Mann filters, they are about $10, compared to $40 or so at the dealer.