Okay I did a search but I can't seem to find the thread I remember reading. It was a thread about two possible filters the dealer puts in when you go for an oil change. I just had my first oil change today at 9230 miles. (It was at my request because my one year hadn't come up yet.) Anyway, I read on this thread that there are two types of filters, x and y, one being the "right" one and one being the "sub-par" one. The "right" one you supposedly have to request....

The one I got today is BMW part 11 42 7 557 012 (I think that's it..)
Just wondering if anyone has any insight, or remembers what thread I'm thinking of?

 

Are you thinking of the thread about the 2 different cabin air filters (carbon and regular)?

 

Look at thread https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...il-filter.html

The one I suggested you might want to avoid is pictured in post #17 of that thread ... you can tell the diff by looking at each; the genuine OEM BMW filter has zig-zag ribs in the filter material rather than the straight ribs in the Mann filter.
My issue was that the Mann filter started breaking down physically after only 5000 miles and did not include the crush washer.

 

OH yeah! I think you hit the nail on the head. That is EXACTLY what I was thinking of. Exactly the WRONG sort of filter. Oopsie, well okay then that makes a lot more sense now.

 

Thank you for the information. I'm thinking of doing the oil/filter changes myself from now on (except the once a year one we get for free), so this will definitely help. Although I will miss seeing all the minis in for service and the free poster and mints that you get when you drop your car off!

 

Posters?! MINTS??!
They sure take better care of you guys in S. CA ...

Doing your own changes is easy ... you want a good pair of ramps, a socket set with an extension or two, the TORX bit for the oil plug, that goofy 27mm, six-point socket to loosen the filter cover (on eBay for about five bucks), and about 30 minutes. Toughest part is getting the old filter out without an "exxon". ("My idiot brother-in-law changed his motor oil, forgot to put back the plug, and exxon'd the whole driveway.")

The MANN filters I'm stuck with are gonna be used exactly as you're suggesting: they'll be my filters for the 7500-mile changes I do between the annual free ones from the dealer.

 

Thanks Basil!

 

Got the MINTS!! NO Poster!!

 

yea this is the first time I got a poster. it's kinda cool...it has a CR R56 with black bonnet stripes on a track and a man in a racing suit jumping into it, with a wide pan of the track.