Take a look at this old oil filter...

[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?

[StephenVA]

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.

Knock off filters are sold at your local parts supplier under the BMW part number.

As has been posted by many people before: The only one I would trust is myself to do the job RIGHT with the right parts, check it twice and made sure everything functions after service is completed. No problems.

What makes it certain that what is written was ever performed. Yes, there are parts on the service ticket but were they installed? Example: Plugs, were all of them installed or just the easy ones? Having 4 years at a dealer and 20 + years in the auto industry this is a common problem. That is why Service Quality Control is an issue everywhere. Dealer Serviced could mean it was done right or was a "short cut" job.

There are GREAT shops out there.
Most independents live and breathe on doing the job right.
A lot of DIY do it right.
Unfortunately, some of the people in the auto repair industry are down right butchers. Some are techs that are pushed, tired, "short cut experts"; some are DIYers that use the cheapest parts (wire, universal parts, etc) to get by until someone else owns it.

The rest are suspect.

Bottom line: DIY and you will always know how and what was done to your vehicle everytime. No questions, no worries.

[knucklebuster]

Thank god people listen to the 15k oil change intervals . Anyways being the new owner I would every 5k

[Tautog13]

Sorry to see the filter in this condition.

As others have stated.....can you determine the filter brand from what remains?

Attached pic is from my spare 2005 4.4i oil filter (BMW Dealer part)

I see one plastic side of the filter (opposite side from my pic)....what does the other plastic side look like/show (any text on plastic?)

Best,
Charlie

[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.

[StephenVA]

Wait, I now what this was.....A LIFE TIME FILTER. That right, leave that sucker in there for the life of your engine. Which maybe real soon.

15,000 mile services are GREAT selling tool to the first buyer > low cost of ownership at the expense of longevity. After all who cares who holds the key after 60,000 miles? Not the first owner most of the time.

OIL CHANGES - 5-7K or once a year, whatever comes FIRST. Cheap insurance for a long life and happy owners.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

Wait, I now what this was.....A LIFE TIME FILTER. That right, leave that sucker in there for the life of your engine. Which maybe real soon.

15,000 mile services are GREAT selling tool to the first buyer > low cost of ownership at the expense of longevity. After all who cares who holds the key after 60,000 miles? Not the first owner most of the time.

OIL CHANGES - 5-7K or once a year, whatever comes FIRST. Cheap insurance for a long life and happy owners.

You should copyright that or get a patent for it, so that BM Trouble will have to pay you a royalty if they want to use that term.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

OP states the X has been serviced by BMW.

That is a different issue.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

15,000 mile services are GREAT selling tool to the first buyer > low cost of ownership at the expense of longevity. After all who cares who holds the key after 60,000 miles? Not the first owner most of the time.

OIL CHANGES - 5-7K or once a year, whatever comes FIRST. Cheap insurance for a long life and happy owners.

24,000 km oil changes here from new. 90,000 km on it now, zero oil consumption. Runs great thank you. What would be better if I had changed the oil three times as often?

[StephenVA]

Originally Posted by upallnight

You should copyright that or get a patent for it, so that BM Trouble will have to pay you a royalty if they want to use that term.

Knowing my luck, some copywriter is already off and running with the idea.