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Who has used other than BMW oil filters, and what brands have worked. I live 200mi from the nearest dealer and I hate paying $6 for shipping plus the cost of the filter. I see Fram has a listing and the local auto parts store will order some in, but I'm thinking I don't want to run the Fram filter. I have seen a couple others searching the web. But if anyone has experience with other filters please reply so I can be more informed.

I have used the AC Delco PF53 for 42K on my 03 and now over 30K on my 04. No problems at all. I have also run a Purolator and know others who have as well. I think the filter # is 10241 but not certain. Either one is readily available for under $4.

towerworker wrote:I have used the AC Delco PF53 for 42K on my 03 and now over 30K on my 04. No problems at all. I have also run a Purolator and know others who have as well. I think the filter # is 10241 but not certain. Either one is readily available for under $4.

Thats what I'm talkin' 'bout, $4 sounds great! I'll see if the auto parts store can get Me one of those. Kind of limited here in northern Mn. I'm going to Bemidji this week, maybe I can find one there.

Thanks towerworker.

Advance Auto carries them in stock and I think AutoZone does as well.

I should have mentioned----there is a lot of negative information concerning running the Fram. Best to stay away from that one.

Here's a list of oil filter alternatives that I picked up on either this forum or the BMW Sport Touring Forum (http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php):

AC Delco PF-53
Amsoil ASF-57. SMF122
Bosch 3330, 72161
Champion C301
Fram PH3614, PH3816, PH6063
Hastings 157A, LF157
Mobil 1 M1-102
Motorcraft FL-271, FL-793
NAPA Gold # 1348
Purflux LS188B
Purolator FCO-201(Obsolete P/N?), L10241, ML 16825, PL10241
STP S3614
WalMart ST3614
Wix 51348, 51785

K&N also makes a filter that fits our bikes. I have used it and the Purolator PL10241, and I just installed the Mobile M1-102 with my last oil change this month.

That's the list.... most people avoid Fram for good reason.

I've used the Purolator PL10241 as well as the Mobil 1 M102. Both are fine filters you can buy at most good auto stores...
The Puro is ~6bux and the M1 goes for ~10. I like the M1, but I just ordered 4 of the OE spec Mahle OC91 filters from..

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/de ... 1421460845

for $10.50 ea. My local dealer wants $17.....

I used the Bosch with my last change, but next time I am going to try the Mobil 1. It seemed more substantial. Both were sold at Auto Zone for a reasonable price.

I've used K&N model: KN-163. It's in their "powersports" line of filters. They are nearly as expensive as the BMW though. I recently stocked up and ordered a few directly from their website. Ordering several at once cuts the shipping costs.

Curiosity point: Why do people avoid the Fram one in particular? I' sure there's a good reason, I've just never heard of it.

bransan wrote:Who has used other than BMW oil filters, and what brands have worked. I live 200mi from the nearest dealer and I hate paying $6 for shipping plus the cost of the filter. I see Fram has a listing and the local auto parts store will order some in, but I'm thinking I don't want to run the Fram filter. I have seen a couple others searching the web. But if anyone has experience with other filters please reply so I can be more informed.

I'm using the Purolator PL10241: I think these are first rate filters. I paid $11.02 for two of them at Amazon, but they seem to have quit carrying them, so I will have to look elsewhere next time. I also have the Bosch 72161 which go for about $8. I have a link somewhere to a place that sell the German Mann filters which many think are the same as BMW, but can't find the link.
I would use a Fram filter last after I had exhausted every other source. One of the K-bike boys on another forum found paper pieces from a fram filter in the sump when he changed oil. They have glued on paper bases. I'm pretty under impressed with Fram. K&M have a faithful following, but I think they are higher priced. I think the Purolator is a good choice and they're cheap enough for you to change your oil recklessly.

The OEM filter is a high-quality affair and since oil changes are not all that frequent an occurance, I've stuck with the factory filters. You can get the OEM Mahle OC91 OEM filters (11 42 1 460 845) from these guys for about $10.50 each:
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/se ... =8&I1.y=13

I haven't ordered anything from them and so don't know how quickly they ship or what they charge for S&H. Perhaps someone else can speak from experience on this?

Charlie

I can get the Supertech at Wal-Mart for 3.20. And I change my oil every 3k unless I do Oil Analysis and find that I can extend that interval safely.

People stay away from Fram generally because they feel that Fram exercises sub-standard building practices on their M/C filters. Cardboard encaps, crappy glue ect.

http://maximum-suzuki.com/html/reviews/ ... lters.html

From what I've read on the intarwebz (take it with a grain of salt) The Supretech filters are manuf. by the same people in Korea that now manuf. STP filters.

My Ion Redline uses a cartridge type filter that goes into the block and I use the Supetech. The filter media looks very well made.

AirForceDirt wrote:Curiosity point: Why do people avoid the Fram one in particular? I' sure there's a good reason, I've just never heard of it.

I used to cut apart used oil filters for cheap entertainment. They all look similar inside, but some use much cheaper components and design. Some have paper elements, some have gauze/felt elements, some have long (large filter area) elements, some use less material in the element, some have coil spring bypass valves, some have tin leaf spring bypass valves, some are glued together, some are crimped together, some use rubber seals in the valving, some have no rubber inside whatsoever, etc. Frams always had the reputation of being the ones put together the easiest and cheapest. I haven't taken one apart for a while, so I don't know if they are still like that.

Filters are a commodity type item. I knew a guy that worked in a factory that manufactured oil filters. He said they made many different brands, the only difference being the paint job on the outside.

People get caught up in the oil filter debate just like the debate about oil and tires. The bottom line is this: if you change your oil and filter regularly, regardless of brand (even Fram), if you do suffer catastrophic engine failure, it won't be from oil contamination or breakdown. There are plenty of cars on the road that have gone 200,000+ miles on cheap Pennzoil bulk oil and Fram filters. I've owned a few. There very few cars on the road that went 200,000 miles without regular oil changes.

Having said all that, I use the Bosch 3330 filter in my BMW motorcycles. It's $6 at the local auto parts store.

Thanks for all the awesome replies. I printed out some of choices and will check with my friend who owns the Napa store in town. I wish We had an Auto Zone or something similar, even if it was within 50mi. Northern Mn. is pretty desolate actually. I do get to Grand Rapids a couple times a month for My radio show on KAXE, I think there is an Auto Zone there, I'll check this weekend when I'm there. Tune in to KAXE.org around 7pm central this Saturday night. I'll be hosting Green Cheese, which is a trivia call-in program, I ask the questions and the listeners provide the answers. No prizes are awarded but it's ton's of fun, check it out.

AirForceDirt wrote:Curiosity point: Why do people avoid the Fram one in particular? I' sure there's a good reason, I've just never heard of it.

Good question, They really get a bad rap in the MC world!! Although I haven't used them in my motorcycles, I have used them in my cars and trucks for years and 100's of 1000's of miles with no problems, I sure would not be afraid to use them, In fact I am going to purchase some and see for myself. Den

jeepinbanditrider wrote:I can get the Supertech at Wal-Mart for 3.20. And I change my oil every 3k unless I do Oil Analysis and find that I can extend that interval safely.

People stay away from Fram generally because they feel that Fram exercises sub-standard building practices on their M/C filters. Cardboard encaps, crappy glue ect.

http://maximum-suzuki.com/html/reviews/ ... lters.html

From what I've read on the intarwebz (take it with a grain of salt) The Supretech filters are manuf. by the same people in Korea that now manuf. STP filters.

My Ion Redline uses a cartridge type filter that goes into the block and I use the Supetech. The filter media looks very well made.

Just for fun, the next time you change oil, take a hacksaw and cut that Supertech down the middle (It won't take long) I know that is not a diagnose as to how good the filter is, but I can almost guarantee you will not use one again, it is almost funny, Den

Bransan said,

Northern Mn. is pretty desolate actually.

Notherm MN may be desolate, but I'd love to be as close to Leech Lake as you are. I'm very jealous of you, during the warm half of the year.

bransan wrote:Thanks for all the awesome replies. I printed out some of choices and will check with my friend who owns the Napa store in town. I wish We had an Auto Zone or something similar, even if it was within 50mi. Northern Mn. is pretty desolate actually. I do get to Grand Rapids a couple times a month for My radio show on KAXE, I think there is an Auto Zone there, I'll check this weekend when I'm there. Tune in to KAXE.org around 7pm central this Saturday night. I'll be hosting Green Cheese, which is a trivia call-in program, I ask the questions and the listeners provide the answers. No prizes are awarded but it's ton's of fun, check it out.

I will tune in!

Wayne