Take a look at this old oil filter...
 

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...
http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2c91ca18.jpg

This was a common site on E46fanatics. Some owners go to Iffy Lube for oil changes, the filters are not stocked so they do a drain refill. Idiots working there don't give a crap!

Said it before and I'll say it again......A used vehicle is no better then the worst tech who has ever worked on it.

I have records showing that this car has been serviced til recently at BMW Seattle.Gives me chills thinking the dealership could do what Jiffy lube does..

I would ziplock bag that filter and drop it on the service managers desk at the dealership. See how he responds.

Yeah, that filter looks to be about 3 services past due...

I've seen SPL oil filter came apart like that on an E39.

Personally, I ONLY buy filters from the dealer. This ensures the freshest, latest revision filter.

they are still revising filters for our no longer manufactured engines?

If so, maybe this is the latest revision?

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

:nanana:

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.

If a filter size/shape is still being used in a current production engine, revisions are possible.

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

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

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

How does that old adage go again? You know the one about wanting it done right...? ;p

I would expect better from a dealer....but not all that surprised at all if I'm honest.

This is why I've never been a fan of these type of filters, I prefer a spin type filter.

My door carrier from Beverly Hills BMW came with an anti counterfeit brochure that had a picture of a fake filter that looked very much like that.

Scary.

Well that's why when I bought my X I could have cared less if the oil and filter was just changed, I bought a filter and 8 quarts and did my own oil change to have a baseline.

Don't want to be driving on potentially someone else's poor maintenance, I prefer to DIY as much as I can but that def looks like poor maintenance from previous ownership if a filter comes apart like that.

QFT.

When I buy a "new" vehicle, the first thing I do is r&r the fluids air filter & wiper blades.

Then I go through the car & verify condition.

+1

My older son just picked up a used Lexus LS 430 today, full service history one owner central FL car. Told him change ALL fluids/filters, regardless of service docs!

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

:iagree: 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.

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

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

OP states the X has been serviced by BMW.

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. :rofl:

That is a different issue.

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?

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

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.

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..

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.

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.

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

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/..._oilfilter.jpg

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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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?

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

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:
http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp...mg56987211.jpg

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

Correct for 4.8iS

No that was a picture I pulled up, my filter kit looks like yours above.

PS reservoir O-ring goes into a groove in the cap, helps keep it sealed so you're not spewing ATF all over your engine bay lol.

My filter kit looked like this one, except it had a smaller O-ring which when I checked, fit perfectly on my PS reservoir. Perhaps it was a freak thing though as I don't see it pictured as part of the normal filter kit lol!

BMW E46 330i M54 3.0L Search Mahle ES#10312 Oil Filter Kit - 11427512300

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/37382_x600.jpg

Pic in above post (#40) is what the current BMW dealer sourced filter looks like (for M62 engine). It comes in a black and white box. I've seen some for sale on e-bay with green/yellow boxes, I wonder if they meet the BMW OE/OEM top spec?

You have an N62 4.4, would be the same filter as the 4.8.

The 4.6 and 4.4 M62 have a much different filter setup.


This is what the M62 filter looks like.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...1427510717-M67

It would be very surprising if they did.

We know that BMW sourced filters from multiple filter manufacturers. We can safely assume that BMW had their own filter spec, since they are unlikely to rely on different specs from each supplier.

Those suppliers would have had additional costs to develop and test the BMW version of their filters.

If BMW paid the development cost (which is common) then the filter manufacturers would have not been able contractually to sell those same higher spec filters themselves. They would have had to have a slightly different version.

There is nothing stopping them from selling a slightly different filter that is the same physical size, and after a certain number of years, the same filter they sold BMW (without the BMW markings). The Tier 1 automotive supply contracts I worked had a guaranteed 15 year supply availability, and exclusivity during that time. That was the price of admission.

It would be silly for a filter manufacturer to sell the more expensive BMW version of a filter through a discount channel. They don't get to use the BMW name, and they won't be compensated for their additional material quality, manufacturing quality, or testing. So they build to a price point. The factors that we could expect to vary from the BMW filter would be filtering efficiency, filtering capacity, and filter life.

And then we keep hearing about how all these companies build filters for the vehicle manufacturers, so 'they are exactly the same'. Filter or other part, if it is a generic part that the vehicle manufacturer has simply installed, then sure. But if it has any product development cost in it, then no way.

And this is all apart from the very real issue of counterfeit parts, where all bets are off on product quality.

I get all of my filters from the dealer as well, for the above reasons.

My bad. I opened my canister and saw the filter is as you show, plastic end caps and snap in top.

Man! It feels like lately I've been reading a ton of posts on here and another forum for e90, where Bimmer dealerships $@!% things up or have no idea what you're talking about when you talk to them about a BMW car. I swear I probably know more at this point on how to service my car and my gf's e90 better than most of them.
I'm not even going to get into the quality level of their customer service, which we all know how that is...
Maybe it's just location specific where I am right now but the dealerships I've been to give misleading information and the "mechanics" don't seem to know as much info about the cars.

For instance all those experiences when taking the car in for service with a loud grinding noise under the hood and the "tech" comes back and says "the car doesn't throw any codes, it's just a normal sound for a used car..."....:slap:
Really...really......

On that note, I think I might start a thread...

I have both the Hengst and Mahle filters for M62. The Mahle IMO are better with the plastic top holding the filter. The Hengst is similar the the pic posted by RB. I'm not sure if there is a Performance difference in longevity with the plastic top design of the Mahle.

I read it somewhere that filter gets changed every other time,same as the service interval indicator.

Nope, every time on a BMW oil service.

oem filter is hengst even on the Detroit diesel big rig engines and most Mercedes engines
same oem for my n62 4.8is

I change every 10,000kms which is around 3-4 months and have never seen a filter like that, last owner changed oil when the service indicator says to and that is a big NO-NO, when I did the valve covers I noticed burnt oil, probably because of stupid bmw intervals 15,000kms or once a year as bmw made the last owner believe

My X got BMW dealer oil changes per the SII for the first 100k miles, after that it's been DIYed with dealer sourced filters and Mobil [1] 0-40 LL oil ($25 for 5 qt jug at Walmart), changed when the 3rd of the 5 green SII lights go out (60% of BMW stated oil life). Over 175k miles now. Dealer sourced air filters too.

I change every 24,000 km and I have never seen a filter like that either. I change oil when the service indicator says to (after I validated those intervals with 12,000/16,000/20,000 km changes on previous vehicles) and disagree with your assessment. I have no burnt oil. Or oil consumption. Or engine noise. I also use OE air filters so I don't have the additional dirt load that aftermarket filters can cause.

I don't call your maintenance practices stupid; it would be nice if you didn't call mine stupid or imply that I have been brainwashed by evil German engineers.

To close the loop as to BMW Dealer supplied...aka..."authentic" oil filters(walk in/parts counter purchase).

The oil filter packaging depicted below (N62) has been typical from my local BMW parts counter.

I am assuming everyone is in agreement that no "counterfeit" parts have made their way "inside" BMW dealer part supplies.......correct?

I am mentioning this for the sake of clarity only.

Best,
Charlie

So would this not be a good deal?

BMW E39 540i M62 4.4L ES#1892623 Oil Filter - 5 Pack - Stock Up And SAVE! - 11427510717

No way to know for shure based on what others have posted in this thread. (discrepancies in packaging and/or product change/revisions)

I am NOT saying all non-dealer oil filter cartridges are bad....it just appears that within the confines of this thread.......at least be very careful where and how you purchase.


Best,
Charlie

It is not common, but other dealers have been caught selling counterfeit parts. If the dealer is reputable you are pretty safe. It doesn't keep me up at night.

It may be a good deal. What you are trading off for lower cost is risk. The fact that it is labelled a Mann filter means very little. There is no performance spec.
If it is actually a BMW filter with a Mann label as well, then it is likely the same as you would buy from a dealer.

You have to decide if knowing the performance of the filter is important, or if it is just a commodity. Different people will have different opinions on that.

four.8is

Curious.......is the failed filter catridge in your original post/pic a Hengst filter?

Best,
Charlie

10-4.......point taken......I should have known better than to say "no" counterfeit parts have made their way........inside dealer ;)

Thanks for the reality ck. :thumbup:

Yes the old filter name(Hengst), serial number as well as other markings match perfectly the new filter i got from the dealership.

Hmmmm..........I can only say I have replaced my own oil filters (Hengst) 3x now and never any indication they were even remotely soft when serviced.

??...end of day....as long as it seems no harm/foul from the soggy cartridge exists....diligence forward. :thumbup:

This is a BMW video about counterfeit filters, not legitimate aftermarket filters, but it does show what can happen. If you watch to the end there is a durability test where the filter dissolves.



BMW in the Middle East has issued a press release about increased number of counterfeit parts coming out of that region.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/middl...tem=node__5236

If I had a filter dissolve on me, and I thought it had been changed not too long back, I would check the markings on it and suspect it was not OE quality. If it had all the OE markings, I would suspect it was counterfeit.

Wow it makes me think I definitely had one of those counterfeit filters on my car...or the original one since the car was brand new lol..it's shape would make sense too looking at it after 90k miles ..


On the other hand, I accidentally added like an eight of an inch over the max line on the dip stick.Is there any way I can take some oil out without getting under the car again?
I usually put 1/8" below the max line but this time I was very generous..and in a hurry ..sometimes I can't even get a good readout of my oil level...that dang plastic at the end of the stick is weird.

If it is only .125" I wouldn't worry about it.

If the oil level is high enough over the full mark it will be whipped up by the crankshaft like an egg beater, and look foamy. Then it doesn't lubricate. Short of that, there isn't much risk.

If you check it enough times it will eventually go down to the max line. ;)

drive it hard for the next couple of days and it will go down by itself.