Oil filter question...

WVMTNBIKER · #1 09-15-2010, 10:19 PM

I'm just about ready for my first oil change in my '03 X5 3.0i. I've used K&N products for a long, long time now. I see that K&N makes an oil filter cartridge to fit my bimmer. I don't doubt that it is a superior filter, even to Mann filters.
Anyone out there with experience with K&N oil filters on their X5's?

JCL · #2 09-15-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVMTNBIKER

I'm just about ready for my first oil change in my '03 X5 3.0i. I've used K&N products for a long, long time now. I see that K&N makes an oil filter cartridge to fit my bimmer. I don't doubt that it is a superior filter, even to Mann filters.
Anyone out there with experience with K&N oil filters on their X5's?

In answer to your question, I have no experience with K&N oil filters, for the reasons listed below. But since you asked....

What is the basis for considering it a superior filter? Do you have the micron spec, the SAE test results, or the ASTM test results?

A quick search found a statement that the K&N filter is made by a third party who make filters for a lot of companies, Champion Labs. If you want to buy a no-name filter with no specs, may as well go to Walmart and get it cheap. Do you trust the quality of Champion Labs, who don't market their filter directly but use companies that have a name, such as K&N, to do so?

I would only use an OE filter, since we don't have specs for what the OE filter is designed to do. Anybody can manufacture a will-fit filter with the same exterior dimensions, but unless you know the design flow rates, and the design filtration specs, you have nothing to gain by changing away from the BMW filter, and everything to lose.

Even using Mann, or Mahle, isn't a guarantee of getting the same filter. Filter manufacturers routinely make the same physical size filter in 2 micron, 5 micron, 10 micron, etc, specs. They have to meet a certain standard to supply a filter to an OEM, but they don't have to meet the same standard to sell a filter directly.

For a part that costs a few dollars, and is only required once a year or less, I don't understand the allure of aftermarket filters.

FCBuff · #3 09-15-2010, 11:50 PM

What he said! Stick with OEM. K&N = snake oil IMHO

WVMTNBIKER · #4 09-16-2010, 07:06 AM

Hmmmmm, I guess I always heard K&N products were good products. I've run them in Corvettes, Porsche's and others w/o incident. But maybe BMW's are different, eh?

Given your thoughts, like you said, for the couple times a year a filter gets changed, I'll just call my local stealer and order one from them.

So are you also recommending BMW oil? I've heard others on the forum here say use Mobile 1, Amsoil, Castrol and others. Again, I've also used Mobil 1 in a lot of car w/o any problems either.

I know it seems that if you own a BMW, keep it ALL BMW, eh?

JCL · #5 09-16-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVMTNBIKER

Hmmmmm, I guess I always heard K&N products were good products. I've run them in Corvettes, Porsche's and others w/o incident. But maybe BMW's are different, eh?

Given your thoughts, like you said, for the couple times a year a filter gets changed, I'll just call my local stealer and order one from them.

So are you also recommending BMW oil? I've heard others on the forum here say use Mobile 1, Amsoil, Castrol and others. Again, I've also used Mobil 1 in a lot of car w/o any problems either.

I know it seems that if you own a BMW, keep it ALL BMW, eh?

I wouldn't use a K&N filter on any engine that I cared about. Look at independent tests of how much dirt their air filters let through.

I use BMW oil, or Castrol 5w-30, but I would happily use Mobil 1 as well. No Amsoil.

It isn't about keeping it all BMW to me, it is simply about not installing consumables that are less functional than the original.

FSETH · #6 09-16-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

I wouldn't use a K&N filter on any engine that I cared about. Look at independent tests of how much dirt their air filters let through.

Plus, don't forget about the possibility of MAF issues from the oiled filter.

It isn't about keeping it all BMW to me, it is simply about not installing consumables that are less functional than the original.

There are companies that make aftermarket parts that exceed BMW quality/functionality, but there are TONS of companies making inferior products.

JimG · #7 09-16-2010, 07:15 AM

You can find decent prices for BMW oil filters on Ebay, also Mobil 1 is widely used in the X5 (8qts). I found Walmart usually has the best deals in 5 qt jugs.

WVMTNBIKER · #8 09-16-2010, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimG

You can find decent prices for BMW oil filters on Ebay, also Mobil 1 is widely used in the X5 (8qts). I found Walmart usually has the best deals in 5 qt jugs.

Hmmmm, never thought of eBay having BMW oil filters. Guess I need to do a search, eh? Thanks for the info.

JCL · #9 09-16-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVMTNBIKER

Hmmmm, never thought of eBay having BMW oil filters. Guess I need to do a search, eh? Thanks for the info.

Just make sure you actually get a real BMW filter, not a copy in a BMW box. Counterfeit parts are rampant on ebay.

radaddict · #10 09-16-2010, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimG

You can find decent prices for BMW oil filters on Ebay, also Mobil 1 is widely used in the X5 (8qts). I found Walmart usually has the best deals in 5 qt jugs.

If you go with Mobile 1, make sure it's this, as it meets BMW spec.:
Mobil 1 0W-40

Also, in the spirit of keeping it all BMW, check this out (OEM BMW E53 X5 Oil Change Kit):
getBMWparts.com powered by Tischer BMW - Your #1 Source for all OEM BMW Parts/Accessories!