Take a look at this old oil filter...

[StephenVA]

Originally Posted by JCL

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?

In your case with your driving style and trip lengths not much. Because I can bet that it was done everytime on time. Bore wear, lifters wear, cam wear, all measured at a lab, maybe something.

With my short trips, under 10 miles, a more frequent interval is always good insurance.

To be sure, see Blackstone labs for oil testing.

[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..

[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.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by racingbmwm3

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


Maybe BMW is trying to get rid of old stock.

I would think ANY dealer that didn't allow new stock to push old stock (move oldest inventory FIRST), would have old filters in their inventory.

Just lame ass inventory control.

[Ricky Bobby]

This may be a stupid question, but what is the little o-ring in this pic of BMW filter kit?

[luvmy03E53]

Just another PLO, as far as I've been able to discern. I have saved a half dozen or so of these over the years...


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[Ricky Bobby]

I only ask bc my Mahle filter (OEM aftermarket) I used on my last oil change (had it on the shelf), came with the filter lid O-ring, the crush washer for drain plug, and actually included a PS reservoir O-ring, how funny is that?

[Tautog13]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

This may be a stupid question, but what is the little o-ring in this pic of BMW filter kit?

O-Ring is for the OFH drain plug. Edit: on V8...in my case 4.4i...(I assume 4.6 & 4.8 too?)

[racingbmwm3]

Weird, the part number on the top of that filter doesn't have any results on REALOEM. Google search comes up with a bunch of Alibaba hits...

That looks like an N62 filter kit like in Tautog13's pic.


Ricky Bobby, that isn't for your car is it? Yours should look like this:


And where does an o-ring go in the power steering reservoir?