[Cariboospeed]

I'm sure there's been discussions before, and there likely will be again. I'm HD mechanic, and even at work, oils and filters are always up for examination and dissection.

So my new to me, 2011 x3 35i has had a bit of a rough life, its a 'Rebuilt' title but only has 67,000kms on it, it drives great, and everything works as it should. Its super clean, the repaint was a good job and overall, its in remarkable condition for a 10 year old ride. Well except for the check engine light - P0442, P0456 codes, but I'll deal with that later.

Picked up a couple oil filters locally, choices are pretty limited in a little industrial town in western Canada. Got a Fram, (My experience has been Fram is the cheapest, lowest quality, poorest performing piece of crap one can buy), I was worried I wouldn't find anything else, so I took it. Found a Delco at another store, and grabbed it. At least its still one up in engineering and build quality.

Not having a dipstick, (WTF thought this was a good idea???) I bought the car without being able to wipe the dipstick on a white paper towel and scrutinize it. Good thing, it was pretty dark, decently clean, but dark when I drained it. I tend to over change, to the point nothing ever makes to the recommended interval. Oil being dark, is one thing, this filter debacle....


I dunno what brand, not even going to look, P082419CR was the part #. The felt kind of seal bit, that's folded over and probably didn't seal as well as it was (poorly) intended...the kink in the pleats...its been partially crushed by over tightening? Maybe collapsed a bit from being clogged??

So I laid out the Fram, the old, and the Delco to have a look at what's going back in.



That little 1/8" felt kinda seal thing on the Fram, (just like the old) doesn't give me any confidence. The Delco at least is kinda rubbery and tighter on the housing and cap inserts. Like it actually might force more oil through the pleats of the filter element. Not sure what's going on with the height difference, the original which looks the same as the Fram, is collapsed, but the Delco is nearly 1/4" taller and seemed to fit just fine. I took the cap back off just to make sure its not getting collapsed from the cap. The filter cap has an O ring, not a gasket, so it doesn't need to be tightened down with all hell energy. Just seated, this plastic cap/o ring will probably be just fine as long as no one puts a tool on it.

Put 6.5L of 0-30 Syn Pennzoil Euro LX Platinum in, checked level, and had a beer of accomplishment.

Anyone have any favourites as far as filters go??

Cheers.

[Wgosma]

I typically buy online- Mahle or Mann brands as I recall. (Motor is I-6, normally aspirated N52)

[HPR]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

I typically buy online- Mahle or Mann brands as I recall. (Motor is I-6, normally aspirated N52)

Same here.

[Rhodes7586]

Mann only in both my n55s.

[383vett]

Mann here good for 96k miles so far N55.

[Bdavi011]

Only bought Mann for all my BMWs. It's OE and it's usually no more than $10-$12. Hard to beat.

If I have to choose a brand that is available locally I would only really get Wix.

[Cariboospeed]

Apparently the Mann filter is the same as the Delco I used.

[burningmango]

Same here, Mann filter for my N55 and M54. Always keep a stash of them in the garage, but if I forget that I ran out and about to perform an oil service, I pay the overpriced BMW Filter (which is also Mann) at my local dealership.

[richardodn]

Pretty much same here; Mann, Mahle, or Wix.

[tracer bullet]

One more here for the Mann's. I get a few at a time, sometimes with other parts and might even get free shipping. FCP Euro lately has been good to me.

[dziku2]

I always buy the original BMW filter, and MANN for other cars. These are reliable, nothing bad happens to them over time.

[VWAudi2BMW]

Mann is usually the OEM filter maker for BMW and Audi. Many of my past Audi's had both the Audi rings and were also branded mann on the filter

[andreigbs]

I've used Mann or Mahle over the years, with never a problem. I think I may have used a Wix filter once or twice, they were made in Poland and seemed about equal in quality to the Mann and Mahle.

Now I just order my stuff online.

IMO, anytime you see the words "Made in China" I'd say buyer beware. It's called CRAP for a reason (chinese replacement auto parts).

YMMV