Stay away from K&N oil filters - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

ciscorob · 02-01-2013, 02:28 PM

I just did another oil change on my 2011 328i (I have 50,000 miles on it now and it gets an oil change every 8,000-10,000 miles using Amsoil synthetics) and I always use a BMW filter. However, I didn't have time to go to the dealership and purchase one so I thought I would order one from K&N and install it.

From the start this filter seemed to "starve" the engine at cold startup because you could hear it tap a little more than normal for a few seconds. When I went to change my oil there were TWO big problems:

1. The filter element was very britle

2. The filter element had torn!

No chunks missing but I noticed the filter had a small "caved in" section and when I pressed softly against it I noticed my finger went right through it! This is scary because I have always regarded K&N to have high quality filters.

Thus, to those wondering, I would stay away from K&N and purchase from the dealership to stay safe.

Efthreeoh · 02-02-2013, 09:02 AM

Good to know.

I've never understood why people stay away from the BMW oil and oil filter. The price savings is negligible for aftermarket products; and you know you have tested, approved oil, and an OEM quality filter. The Tischer oil change kit is $76. Counting $10 for the filter, and $15 for shipping; that works out to about $7.25 per quart. Not a bad deal IMO. Order on line and shipped to your door. Easy.

Casca · 02-03-2013, 02:12 AM

I used a K&N oil filter before when they had them on sale. Looked exactly like OEM, made in Germany and the part numbers/printing on it was like it came from the same factory as my Mann filter. 99.9999% positive that K&N just re-badged Mann filters as their own.

Ok, I see. Gonna assume this is the K&N filter you got

http://www.amazon.com/K-N-PS-7014-Oi...1&s=automotive

which is probably the same as this aFe

http://www.amazon.com/aFe-44-LF022-P...1&s=automotive

If I opened up the box and those were the filters I saw, I would have sent it back to Amazon for a refund. No way I'd put that crap in there. Looks like K&N changed suppliers for the worse, much worse. Bosch filters look exactly like those too. No doubt they come out of the same factory in China.

This was the K&N filter I used

http://www.amazon.com/HP-7014-Cartri...1&s=automotive

STP oil filters for E90's are also re-badged Mann filters, at least they were last year.

Efthreeoh · 02-03-2013, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casca

I used a K&N oil filter before when they had them on sale. Looked exactly like OEM, made in Germany and the part numbers/printing on it was like it came from the same factory as my Mann filter. 99.9999% positive that K&N just re-badged Mann filters as their own.

Ok, I see. Gonna assume this is the K&N filter you got

http://www.amazon.com/K-N-PS-7014-Oi...1&s=automotive

which is probably the same as this aFe

http://www.amazon.com/aFe-44-LF022-P...1&s=automotive

If I opened up the box and those were the filters I saw, I would have sent it back to Amazon for a refund. No way I'd put that crap in there. Looks like K&N changed suppliers for the worse, much worse. Bosch filters look exactly like those too. No doubt they come out of the same factory in China.

This was the K&N filter I used

http://www.amazon.com/HP-7014-Cartri...1&s=automotive

STP oil filters for E90's are also re-badged Mann filters, at least they were last year.

This makes my point perfectly. None of the filters I saw sold by Amazon were anywhere near being less expensive than just getting the OEM from BMW as part of the Tischer oil change kit.

Casca · 02-03-2013, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

This makes my point perfectly. None of the filters I saw sold by Amazon were anywhere near being less expensive than just getting the OEM from BMW as part of the Tischer oil change kit.

The K&N (Mann) one I bought was $6.99 at the time. I think they were making way for the stock change to the crap filters. I should have gotten more than the 3. Of course you buy it when there is a deal. I got STP filters when I was getting all my German castrol from Autozone since getting 6 quarts came with a free filter, of which STP was a choice and turned out to be a re-packaged Mann filter.

jacobsed · 02-04-2013, 08:19 PM

I always get mine from this guy on ebay....$10 delivered. Can't beat it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Engine-O...13757f&vxp=mtr

mi_bimmer · 02-05-2013, 11:39 AM

Only $7.82 with free super saver shipping

http://www.amazon.com/Mann-Filter-HU...ype=automotive

jacobsed · 02-05-2013, 12:38 PM

Super saver shipping is only for orders $25 and greater

Casca · 02-05-2013, 10:32 PM

Get Amazon Prime. For me, it is easily worth it. $70 to $80 a year and you get "free" 2 day shipping on a ton of stuff. Plus access to a bunch of movies and TV shows to stream as well as "free" monthly kindle books to rent.

For me, it would be like three months and I'd easily exceed $80 in shipping.

Running low on tooth paste? I order off Amazon, 2 days later its at my doorsteps for "free" (shipping).

SoGood · 02-05-2013, 10:36 PM

Anyone know if bosch oil filter any good?

jacobsed · 02-06-2013, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casca

Get Amazon Prime. For me, it is easily worth it. $70 to $80 a year and you get "free" 2 day shipping on a ton of stuff. Plus access to a bunch of movies and TV shows to stream as well as "free" monthly kindle books to rent.

For me, it would be like three months and I'd easily exceed $80 in shipping.

Running low on tooth paste? I order off Amazon, 2 days later its at my doorsteps for "free" (shipping).

I'll spend $2 more dollars on ebay before spending $70 on a prime membership.

02-01-2013, 02:28 PM	#1
ciscorob New Member Drives: 2011 BMW 328i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Stay away from K&N oil filters I just did another oil change on my 2011 328i (I have 50,000 miles on it now and it gets an oil change every 8,000-10,000 miles using Amsoil synthetics) and I always use a BMW filter. However, I didn't have time to go to the dealership and purchase one so I thought I would order one from K&N and install it. From the start this filter seemed to "starve" the engine at cold startup because you could hear it tap a little more than normal for a few seconds. When I went to change my oil there were TWO big problems: 1. The filter element was very britle 2. The filter element had torn! No chunks missing but I noticed the filter had a small "caved in" section and when I pressed softly against it I noticed my finger went right through it! This is scary because I have always regarded K&N to have high quality filters. Thus, to those wondering, I would stay away from K&N and purchase from the dealership to stay safe.
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02-05-2013, 11:39 AM	#7
mi_bimmer New Member Drives: 2006 325i E90 N52 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 29 iTrader: (0)	OEM filter on Amazon Only $7.82 with free super saver shipping http://www.amazon.com/Mann-Filter-HU...ype=automotive

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02-02-2013, 09:02 AM	#2
Efthreeoh Captain Drives: E90 Join Date: May 2012 Location: MARLAND Posts: 976 iTrader: (0)	Good to know. I've never understood why people stay away from the BMW oil and oil filter. The price savings is negligible for aftermarket products; and you know you have tested, approved oil, and an OEM quality filter. The Tischer oil change kit is $76. Counting $10 for the filter, and $15 for shipping; that works out to about $7.25 per quart. Not a bad deal IMO. Order on line and shipped to your door. Easy.

02-03-2013, 02:12 AM	#3
Casca Second Lieutenant Drives: E90 MT6 Join Date: May 2010 Location: California Posts: 239 iTrader: (0)	I used a K&N oil filter before when they had them on sale. Looked exactly like OEM, made in Germany and the part numbers/printing on it was like it came from the same factory as my Mann filter. 99.9999% positive that K&N just re-badged Mann filters as their own. Ok, I see. Gonna assume this is the K&N filter you got http://www.amazon.com/K-N-PS-7014-Oi...1&s=automotive which is probably the same as this aFe http://www.amazon.com/aFe-44-LF022-P...1&s=automotive If I opened up the box and those were the filters I saw, I would have sent it back to Amazon for a refund. No way I'd put that crap in there. Looks like K&N changed suppliers for the worse, much worse. Bosch filters look exactly like those too. No doubt they come out of the same factory in China. This was the K&N filter I used http://www.amazon.com/HP-7014-Cartri...1&s=automotive STP oil filters for E90's are also re-badged Mann filters, at least they were last year.

02-04-2013, 08:19 PM	#6
jacobsed Lieutenant Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United States Posts: 410 iTrader: (2)	I always get mine from this guy on ebay....$10 delivered. Can't beat it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Engine-O...13757f&vxp=mtr

02-05-2013, 12:38 PM	#8
jacobsed Lieutenant Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United States Posts: 410 iTrader: (2)	Super saver shipping is only for orders $25 and greater

02-05-2013, 10:32 PM	#9
Casca Second Lieutenant Drives: E90 MT6 Join Date: May 2010 Location: California Posts: 239 iTrader: (0)	Get Amazon Prime. For me, it is easily worth it. $70 to $80 a year and you get "free" 2 day shipping on a ton of stuff. Plus access to a bunch of movies and TV shows to stream as well as "free" monthly kindle books to rent. For me, it would be like three months and I'd easily exceed $80 in shipping. Running low on tooth paste? I order off Amazon, 2 days later its at my doorsteps for "free" (shipping).

02-05-2013, 10:36 PM	#10
SoGood Banned Drives: TIAG E90 328i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 128 iTrader: (2)	Anyone know if bosch oil filter any good?