Oil filter brand #

[Thormx331]

I'm new to the Z4 and want to make sure I keep her running as long as I can. Has 30k and just got a 2003 2.5i. I'm going with mobil 1 for my oil but want to know which filter is best. Ive heard of MANN and MAHLE. I'm going to order online but my question is, what part number do i need for my specific engine (M54?). I know for MAHLE Original OX 154/1D will fit my car but does anyone know for MANN? Or does anyone have an suggestions/experience?

I use forums for my cars a lot and know this is a 'newb' question so sorry in advance.

Also i plan on doing a drain and fill, not a vacuum since i want all the oil out.

Thanks

[SaltyNC]

Originally Posted by Thormx331

I'm new to the Z4 and want to make sure I keep her running as long as I can. Has 30k and just got a 2003 2.5i. I'm going with mobil 1 for my oil but want to know which filter is best. Ive heard of MANN and MAHLE. I'm going to order online but my question is, what part number do i need for my specific engine (M54?). I know for MAHLE Original OX 154/1D will fit my car but does anyone know for MANN? Or does anyone have an suggestions/experience?

I use forums for my cars a lot and know this is a 'newb' question so sorry in advance.

Also i plan on doing a drain and fill, not a vacuum since i want all the oil out.

Thanks

Mann is the same as the E46 non-M. Mann HU 924/4 - or 11427512300
Amazon has them:
http://a.co/415QwWA

Salty

[SaltyNC]

I don't want to start an oil discussion, but just throwing it out there that many have moved away from Mobil 1 in the M54 engine. Castrol 0W40 *Euro* formula is used quite a bit now, and for higher mileage M54's, Shell Rotella T6 has a fast growing following in the E46 community.

[RevsPlease]

Oil:
You are going to get lots of different opinions on this, but the general consensus is LL-01 spec'd oil. The two best are:
- Castrol Edge 0W-40 A3/B4.
- Mobil 1 0W-40.

BMW's OCI is also 15000 miles; you can forget about that -- it was a cost savings measure for BMW's bottom line. Change your at oil at 5000-7500mi intervals. Drive hard? Change sooner. Drive like a granny? Extend that interval. In reality as long as you are using a full synthetic of the appropriate weight, and changing oil & filter often, then it doesn't matter a whole lot.

Filter:
Mahle: MAH-OX1541DECO.
Mann: HU 925/4 X.

The Mahle filters are made in Austria and (supposedly) have more pleats. The Mann filter is made in Mexico. I don't have any evidence to say which is filtering better, but I use the Mahle filters.

[SaltyNC]

Thromx, I misspoke earlier on the weight of the Castrol. It is the 0W40 Euro that RevsPlease listed. I edited my original post to reflect that.

[cahme]

Mobil1 is no longer an LL01 approved oil.
I prefer the Hengst filter and can get them from my local Napa.

[StickMon]

Isn't Mahle the OEM manufacturer?
Same filter, just different stamping, and you're not paying a steep mark-up for it to say "Genuine BMW".

To quote an exchange in another thread:
"Have you had any problems with the Mahle parts?"
"Nope. Mine work just fine."

[garz747]

Mann is fine for the M54 but i only use mahle on the S54 M motor. Metal end caps and better fit.

[RevsPlease]

Originally Posted by cahme

Mobil1 is no longer an LL01 approved oil.
I prefer the Hengst filter and can get them from my local Napa.

Just looked into this, and you are correct -- M1 Euro is no longer LL-01, although Its not apparent if they changed the formulation or not. I think its possible Mobil didn't want to spend the $$$ qualifying for an aged BMW certification.

I think there is also a Pennzoil oil out there that is LL-01 and ready available.

[RevsPlease]

Originally Posted by StickMon

Isn't Mahle the OEM manufacturer?
Same filter, just different stamping, and you're not paying a steep mark-up for it to say "Genuine BMW".

To quote an exchange in another thread:
"Have you had any problems with the Mahle parts?"
"Nope. Mine work just fine."

Mahle is the BMW OEM for the filter, yes. They're the same price as the Mann and I feel the quality is little higher so I stick with them. Nothing wrong with Mann though; they work just fine.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by StickMon

Isn't Mahle the OEM manufacturer?
Same filter, just different stamping, and you're not paying a steep mark-up for it to say "Genuine BMW".

To quote an exchange in another thread:
"Have you had any problems with the Mahle parts?"
"Nope. Mine work just fine."

Mahle is the OEM manufacturer for the S54 and Mann is the OEM manufacturer for the M54. For the S54, I use Mahle because it has the same construction (actually the same filter as you have pointed out) as the BMW branded filter. The Mann filter for the S54 doesn't have the metal end caps, so I'm not sure if the fitment would be slightly different. Same goes for the M54, which I use the Mann filter. The Mahle filter for the M54 have plastic end caps on it, which the Mann or BMW OE filters do not.

Originally Posted by RevsPlease

Mahle is the BMW OEM for the filter, yes. They're the same price as the Mann and I feel the quality is little higher so I stick with them. Nothing wrong with Mann though; they work just fine.

As noted above, Mann is also an OEM for BMW in the M54 engine. I use Mahle for the S54 and Mann for the M54 because that's how BMW have equipped my cars that way.

[dc_wright]

Originally Posted by RevsPlease

Just looked into this, and you are correct -- M1 Euro is no longer LL-01, although Its not apparent if they changed the formulation or not. I think its possible Mobil didn't want to spend the $$$ qualifying for an aged BMW certification.

I think there is also a Pennzoil oil out there that is LL-01 and ready available.

At about the time BMW signed the exclusive agreement with Shell, Mobil took the LL-01 listing off their packages. Whether they changed the formula, didn't want to undergo the expense of continuing the LL-01 certification, or they were just miffed at the Shell deal is unknown. Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-30 is the LL-01 formula. I don't have anything in print to go on, but I suspect that's what's bottled for BMW. So far locally it's been damn hard to find.

[Thormx331]

Thank you all for your input and clarification. This seems like a great forum. I've searched and found many different weights and brands that are the said to be to "correct". Looks like ill be going with the Castrol 0W40 Euro. Id like to go with a better filter since its not much price difference which sounds like Mahle. Plus I usually go on the safe side and change it early since oil is not too expensive.

Other question is the process of the oil change. All my cars I've just drained from the plug. But I hear other opinions about using a vac? One way better than the other?

Also read somewhere about soaking the filter/housing when installing the filter?

Thanks again for everyone's help.

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by Thormx331

... Also read somewhere about soaking the filter/housing when installing the filter? ...

Pour 0.5 L into the filter housing before installing the filter.
It's said to be optional, and I didn't do it on my first change.
Made a hellish racket for the first 10-15 seconds after starting.

[ADent]

The Castrol 0W40 Euro is available at Walmart around here. Note I saved 20% buying it online and shipping it, instead of grabbing it in the store.

[RevsPlease]

Originally Posted by dc_wright

At about the time BMW signed the exclusive agreement with Shell, Mobil took the LL-01 listing off their packages. Whether they changed the formula, didn't want to undergo the expense of continuing the LL-01 certification, or they were just miffed at the Shell deal is unknown. Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-30 is the LL-01 formula. I don't have anything in print to go on, but I suspect that's what's bottled for BMW. So far locally it's been damn hard to find.

I've seen the Penzoil at Wallmart, but I always just go with the Castrol 0W40.