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I've done some searching in the forum, but have not found any information on these oil filters. I generally stay fairly close to factory specs, but tripped across this and it piqued my interest.
They say they filter will increase flow rates by up to 7 times (1.9 gal/min @ 1 PSI they claim). They claim the increased flow rate may improve mileage and reduce wear on the oil pump. It has a magnetic pre-filter to catch suspended metallic particles. They say the break even point is at 10 changes.
You are supposed to pull them out every oil change and clean them with brake cleaner, let it dry and then reinstall. They supposed give better visual indications of what they are straining out compared to conventional filters.
Has anyone tried one of these? They are pretty pricey with their S35 model recommended for the MINI going for $160 MSRP. But, if they are more effective than the BMW filter coupled with all the oil related issues on these engines, it may be worth it.
Nothing quite like pieces of stainless steel running through your engine... their magnet won't pick that up.
Maybe it makes sense for a larger, industrial engine but that's the equivalent of like, more than 10 OEM filters.
$160!!!! Does it come with a jar of vaseline?? This is one of the biggest ripoffs I have ever heard of, and I've been following them for 40+ years.
If oil is flowing through this so-called filter faster than it does through the OEM filter, that guarantees that it's not getting filtered as well! You can take it as gospel that this gadget is not filtering oil as well as OEM or picking up particulate matter as small as a good conventional filter.
And I can assure you that your oil pump isn't going to wear out if you use a conventional oil filter. That's pure BS.
People get fascinated with oil filters and like to play games with them - when the reality is that an oil filter has a very simple function. As long as you use a decent quality filter and change it at regular intervals, you don't have to invest in ju-ju filters or other snake oil.
If you want a really good filter that will pick up very fine particulates, use something like a Mobil 1 filter or an Amsoil filter. Every Amsoil filter has a very fine filtration system and has an anti-drainback valve (really not much more than a rubber flap) to keep oil from draining out of the filter while the car sits. In fact, many good filters from various companies have this anti-drainback valve. As a result, when you start the car there is oil in the filter and your oil system reaches operating pressure more quickly, which DOES have a direct benefit to the longevity of the vehicle.
$160!!!! Does it come with a jar of vaseline?? This is one of the biggest ripoffs I have ever heard of, and I've been following them for 40+ years.
If oil is flowing through this so-called filter faster than it does through the OEM filter, that guarantees that it's not getting filtered as well! You can take it as gospel that this gadget is not filtering oil as well as OEM or picking up particulate matter as small as a good conventional filter.
And I can assure you that your oil pump isn't going to wear out if you use a conventional oil filter. That's pure BS.
People get fascinated with oil filters and like to play games with them - when the reality is that an oil filter has a very simple function. As long as you use a decent quality filter and change it at regular intervals, you don't have to invest in ju-ju filters or other snake oil.
If you want a really good filter that will pick up very fine particulates, use something like a Mobil 1 filter or an Amsoil filter. Every Amsoil filter has a very fine filtration system and has an anti-drainback valve (really not much more than a rubber flap) to keep oil from draining out of the filter while the car sits. In fact, many good filters from various companies have this anti-drainback valve. As a result, when you start the car there is oil in the filter and your oil system reaches operating pressure more quickly, which DOES have a direct benefit to the longevity of the vehicle.
In summary, DO NOT waste your money. You are getting gypped if you buy this contraption.
ColoCoug,
The K&P site states that there filters are rated to 35 microns, but they do not state anything about efficiency ratings. What they do tout is pressure differential. They say that they saw a 20 PSI differential in the intake/output of paper filters in tests on drag racers, but only a 1 PSI difference with theirs. Their claim is that with a higher pressure differential, there is greater chance that the oil will go through the bypass and not hit the filter at all.
You're right that they are intended to simply filter the oil. You're also right that I've gotten fascinated by them as well. It seems to me that a lot of the issues with the N14 engine are oil related and oil is something I really didn't think much about driving Honda's and Toyota's.
Thank you for attaching that chart as it showed me that I should switch from the OEM filters that I had been using in my other cars. Amsoil is partnering with Mann for the filters they spec for the MINI and these are the filters that I have been using in mine.
I've been searching around to find a dealer for the K&P MINI filter, but have had no luck. It seems that most of the retail for these are in the motorcycle world. I'm not sure where I first got the $160 MSRP from, but when I just looked up their S35 filter it is $99 MSRP, still very high.
They may well be a waste of money. I figured it is worth exploring them a bit more and build my knowledge on the subject.
I personally like most of the better filters that aren't accordion-folded porous filter paper. I prefer those with a better designed, thicker filtration medium. I think you're going the right way.
The factory filter is the most attainable, priced comfortably, has a large surface area due to it's design, and is tried and true.
Most of the metals that are passing through your engine are not ferrous, and therefore won't stick to a magnet, so that makes their sales tote of a magnet null.
For the price, I would recommend sticking to the factory filter and having the knowledge that you're getting proper filtration, not the sales pitch of higher oil pressure. Filtration isn't something I would want to sacrifice for the pitch of possibly having higher oil pressure (which isn't needed.)
Most of you gents are probably too young to remember it, but back in the 60's when spin-on oil filters were fairly new on many US cars, JC Whitney and the like sold oil "filters" that actually held a roll of toilet paper in an otherwise empty can. The toilet paper was supposed to be the heal hot deal for filtering, and very economical, right???
Even at a young age, I could see the idiocy in that.
A good filter is easy to find. All you have to do is Google filter tests and look for tests in which the tester actually took a hacksaw to filters and opened them up. That gives you a good look at their innards. Hopefully there's also some relevant test info.
The truth about this is as stated above: use a good quality filter and direct your attention at other issues, like regular oil changes, engine and chassis maintenance, and overall vehicle care. There's nothing to be gained by putting money into so-called filters made of unobtanium.
Most of you gents are probably too young to remember it, but back in the 60's when spin-on oil filters were fairly new on many US cars, JC Whitney and the like sold oil "filters" that actually held a roll of toilet paper in an otherwise empty can. The toilet paper was supposed to be the heal hot deal for filtering, and very economical, right???
But, if they are more effective than the BMW filter coupled with all the oil related issues on these engines, it may be worth it.
