Oil filter question...
 

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.

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

K&N = snake oil?
 

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?:dunno:
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.:thumbup:

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?:dunno::D

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.

eBay oil filters?
 

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

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!

I am a big fan of doing my own work on my cars, but when I spoke with my BMW service manager, the price is $90.00 for a complete oil change, for the $10.00 ($69.00 + shipping) I wont even get out the ramps!

It is as cheap as it gets to just schedule an appointment! JMO

:thumbup:

Question is do you trust the dealer? What oil are they using? When I purchased my X5 CPO last spring, they (the stealer) changed the oil/filter etc for it to be offered as CPO. I changed everything out again myself soon after purchase because I don't trust them. Guess what I found? My filter had obviously NOT been changed. The fins on the media were all splayed apart and frayed, looking very worn and very used. It had seen at least a 15,000 mile interval by the previous owner maybe more, who knows, and if I had not changed it out, could have had to withstand another 15,000 miles. :wow:By the looks of it, I believe it would have very likely failed.

Ask yourself why the dealer would offer a change at $90.00? They are cutting corners somewhere most likely. Add the price of oil/qt + filter. Add in cost of Labor and iIt doesn't add up. It may be a loss leader with the intent to get you in the door and then charge up for some other service. Dealers are about one thing, and that is making money off of us, the customer. Most people who do there own oil changes do so because they know it was done right, and in the process usually save $$$. Everybody has to find their own comfort zone.

A quick search will show at a minimum 4 approved oils for use. You do not have to stick with the BMW 5W-30 (castrol), but it is good oil.

I believe (as do many others) that you should definately stick with OEM for the filter. The oil is a different story. You have choices. Just change it at teh 1/2 interval or 7,500 miles.

Castrol 0w-30, mobil 1 0w-40, penzoil platinum 5w-30 are 3 that will work and can be found on sale.

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

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.

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

Mobil 1 Synthetic 5w-30 and Mann filter!

Mobil 1 5w-30 is generally considered to be a weak example in that weight range, A better choice is Mobil 1 0w-40. It is a much better oil and it shears down to close to a 30 weight.

so why would the manual recommend 5w-30 on x5 and other bmws while MBs amd Porches 0W-40. So really is a preference. I use 5w-30 on my bimmer and 0w-40 ony MBs and Porsche!

5W30 is the preferred weight, all things being equal, but if you do choose to use Mobil 1 then the Mobil 0W-40 is preferred over the Mobil 5W-30 due to its performance. Another way to say it is that Mobil 5W-30 isn't a very good oil. It isn't about the weight in that case, but rather the quality of the oil.

You have seen the comments already on Mobil 5W-30. I am interested in why you would choose a Mann filter, given the lack of any real performance documentation. Do you get them cheap?

I Haven't heard anything bad about Mann or Mahle, been using them on all my cars for 15 years (Audi and BMW). Replaced the valve cover gasket on a couple of cars and no abnormal wear on lifters or cam so I assume Mann/Mahle does it's job. Also all my Audi friends using them and recomend them, these are people with bigger turbo and mods and I never seen an engine failure due to oil filter (timing belt snap, WP etc only among my circle friends).

I have used nothing but Mann filters in my e36 for years. It has over 320,000 miles on it and the engine is as strong and smooth as can be with no internal work or repairs. I trust them at this point. I use Mann for my oil, air and microfilters. The only exception is the oil filter in the X5, where I use an OE filter.

FSETH, any reason why you don;t use Mann/Mahle on your X5? BTW, who the mfg for OEM (most BMW parts are outsourced anyway, i.e. BMW is not making all their parts, even Toyota accelerator that defective is used in GM cars as well for example and that part was made in IN)

Here is an interesting oil filter test article: Oil Filters Revealed - MiniMopar Resources

I guess the main reason I use an OE oil filter on our X5 is due to the much longer oil change intervals compared to my e36. Even though I think Mann makes good products, I feel better for some reason with the OE filter. Especially if I am runnig the full 15,000 mile change intervals. I am nost saying the Mann filter wont last that long, I just feel better going with OE one for that particular application. Also, part of the reason is because I am already at the dealer buying the BMW oil for the X5 anyway, so it is easy for me to just add the filter to the order at that time as well.

I can't remember who the OE filter was made by. It may actually be Mahle.