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So I ordered a new oil filter and got a BMW box with the P/N 11 42 7 512 446. Looks like the correct P/N for all the filters for Mini's I see. But looking at the filter the holes on the top and bottom are smaller than the one I removed.
I look at the new filter and there's a different P/N on the filter itself, # 11 42 7 509 208. I looked up the 208 P/N and it is listed for a R53 S engine but the holes on both ends of the one I removed are much larger.
Right box, wrong filter?
Did a little more searching and found the same filter and box on Amazon. I think the 208 P/N is the "kit" that includes the O-ring. It also says for R53 but again the holes are much smaller.
Update:
By pushing REALLY hard I was able to get the filter to seat in the housing but even pushing hard it won't go over the raised lip on the tube closest to the engine block. But I still can't get the threads on the housing to start.
This can't be right.
So I ordered a new oil filter and got a BMW box with the P/N 11 42 7 512 446. Looks like the correct P/N for all the filters for Mini's I see. But looking at the filter the holes on the top and bottom are smaller than the one I removed.
I look at the new filter and there's a different P/N on the filter itself, # 11 42 7 509 208. I looked up the 208 P/N and it is listed for a R53 S engine but the holes on both ends of the one I removed are much larger.
Right box, wrong filter?
The top one in the pic is 100% the correct filter for a Gen 1 MINI.
The bottom one is some aftermarket filter.
I would NOT recommend the aftermarket as we have seen them damage the plastic in the bottom of the housing, or have them collapse and cause oil lights.
I'm seeing the same thing. But some that I look at seem to have larger openings.
The filter removed. Gasket side 23mm. Canister side 33mm
New filter. Gasket side 15mm. Canister side. 23mm
When I really pushed on the filter hard the fiber end on the canister side opened up enough to seat, [fully I assume] but even really pushing on the filter it wouldn't seat on the engine side. The fiber around the opening on that side deformed but still isn't near the size of the opening on the one I removed.
I'll be interested to see what the filter I ordered looks like. Has anyone else run into this?
Thanks,
rob
OK, I really pushed hard on the filter and it did seat on the engine side. I've been messing with and fixing cars for 50 years and I've never run into a filter situation such as this.
Live and learn I guess.
Thanks for your confirmation it was the correct part.
That's what I started out doing but was having some difficulty getting the threads of the housing started. After a little lube around the hole on the engine side I gave it a really good push and I could feel it pop over the lip at the base. I took it off, all looked good so I put it in the housing and was able to engage the threads and screw the housing on.
I've replaced cartridge filters before but never one that you had to push that hard. Normally when it feels like I'm forcing something, experience has taught me to stop and look close at whats going on before screwing something up.
But all is well and I'll know next time.
Again, Thanks so much for your fast reply and assistance.
Robj
P.S. I'm glad it was the right filter as I bought it from you guys!
Filter that was removed ... does that thing read ... "MADE IN USA" yea, that is aftermarket filter replacement and may not have been the correct replacement just something that was close.
I did get the BMW filter to fit, but I had also ordered a replacement referencing the part number on the old filter.
It's actually a Bosch Part, # 72223WS. [Premium Oil Filter]
I've not known Bosch for making junk and on my 1959 R69 BMW motorcycle they were the OEM manufacturer for many of the BMW parts.
I actually think it's just a bit different in design and have no doubt it would work fine. In fact I may use it next oil change as the one that I removed looked fine and seemed to be doing it's job.
robj
I had the exact experience, as have others, and I got the filters from the BMW dealership. Next time, I got it at a car parts store and it was a Mann filter. It fit perfectly - snug but not so tight you feel like you’re nearly breaking it to get it on. I’ll check too see what I’ve got in the garage and pass on the filter number if i have one.
I've bought Mann Filters for a number of different applications and have always been satisfied with their quality. I think the Bosch that I got looks decent as well as did the Bosch I removed.
With the BMW filter its a fiber type material on both ends that seems to seal by starting out with a very small hole that seals when literally jammed over the post on the engine, and the "post" on the housing. I'm sure that works fine, but I'm not convinced thats the only way to do it. In fact it seems a "cheaper" way to achieve sealing as opposed to the Bosch with a full rubber gasket on the engine side.
The Bosch filter has a rubber end on the engine side that appears to serve as both the seal on the post as well as the base, and the opening on the canister side appears sized appropriately.
Like I mentioned, Bosch has been an OEM supplier for BMW, [at least for the motorcycles] for years, since at least the 50's.
Nothing I've ever bought from Bosch was "junk" so I think I'll try the Bosch next oil change.
I cut the one I took out open. [the Bosch filter] The oil in general was pretty clean and I let it sit for 2-3 days, then poured most off, saving about the last quart. I poured that into a separate container. After 2-3 days I looked at it pretty close and there was no "metal flake' in the oil. I cut the filter apart and rinsed it in Kerosine and there was a decent about of "junk" it had caught so it looked to me like it was doing it's job.
I think there's more than one way to skin a filter. That's not to say I would trust something from Wal-Mart, but Bosch is not that and neither are Mann filters..
I had the same issue doing the first oil change ever for me on those cars. I was stumped at the start, with the hole smaller and pressing so hard as well as having a hard time screwing it back in. i triple checked the parts number (got mine from WMW) and the filter and it matched. I got it to fit, but i was worried for sure at the start.
I agree with you on the Bosh and Mann filters, good stuff. They are what i always used and continue to use on my other cars, as i always owned VW and Audis and they are the default filters for those cars, great quality.
