Take a look at this old oil filter...

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by racingbmwm3

Sorry, both styles of filter were discontinued with their respective engines (M62 and M54)

Many M54 owners on E46fanatics were buying OEM filters (produced to BMW spec) outside the BMW dealer network and getting early revision filters. BMW had revised the design/materals of the filter (the old rev filters were falling apart during the 15k mile oil service life).

This was due to the fact that many retailers had bought huge lots of filters for the bulk discount from the manufacturer. The manufacturer did not buy back/swap all the old filters (even it it did, some retailers would not deal with return stock/replenish stock).

This "old rev filter" issue was still so bad 5 yrs after the change that most E46 330 owners would ONLY purchase from BMW dealers.

Every few week a post would pop up on E46fan stating "Just bought 12 OEM filters off e-bay for $100". These "deals" were on "old stock/revision" filters.

Another common post on E46fan was "bought a used 330i/ci with FULL indy service records, first DIY oil change and filter has fallen apart". The indy shops were installing old filters for years.

[racingbmwm3]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

Another common post on E46fan was "bought a used 330i/ci with FULL indy service records, first DIY oil change and filter has fallen apart". The indy shops were installing old filters for years.

Hmm...I remember just reading about this happening on one of the X5 forums...

Maybe BMW is trying to get rid of old stock.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by four.8is

Folks..ive never seen such a thing.In the process of replacing the old oil filter, it came apart in pieces, almost felt like an old squishy pumpkin..I wonder how much this car went without a proper oil and filter change...

This is the 15,000 miles oil change intervals as implemented by BM Trouble U.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by upallnight

This is the 15,000 miles oil change intervals as implemented by BM Trouble U.

Hardly. I've run 17,000 miles on BMW filters in my E46 330i and NONE have fallen apart.

[racingbmwm3]

Can you tell manufacturer at all? The BMW filters shouldn't look like this until at least 40k miles. I've seen cheap knockoff's look like this after 5k.

[four.8is]

Originally Posted by racingbmwm3

Can you tell manufacturer at all? The BMW filters shouldn't look like this until at least 40k miles. I've seen cheap knockoff's look like this after 5k.

It is the Mahle one
Same one I got from the dealership yesterday.I think the oil was changed without changing te filter.idiots..

[JCL]

Originally Posted by four.8is

It is the Mahle one
Same one I got from the dealership yesterday.I think the oil was changed without changing te filter.idiots..

Was it the Mahle one built to BMW standards (OE) or a Mahle discount filter?

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by JCL

Was it the Mahle one built to BMW standards (OE) or a Mahle discount filter?

OP states the X has been serviced by BMW.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

OP states the X has been serviced by BMW.

That is a different issue.

[four.8is]

Originally Posted by JCL

Was it the Mahle one built to BMW standards (OE) or a Mahle discount filter?

My bad it is the Hengst same as the picture posted a while ago.
I got confused because the first one they gave me was for a 2007+ 4.8i and when I saw the difference I called back and got the correct one plus 4 quarts of oil for free..whoever needs a filter for a newer x5 I can send it out for free just pay shipping.I see they charged 26$ for it so their loss your gain

I always stay in top of my oil changes and do them usually at 6000 miles .With my e39's which had the filters on top of te engine thus easier to change ,I would also change the filter at 3000 miles mark so I was using 2 filters before the oil got replaced for a better filtration...I might do it with my x too .i don't know if it was really needed though..