What Type of Oil Filter Does BMW Use?

BMW primarily uses cartridge-style oil filters designed for specific engines, supplied by OEM manufacturers such as Mann, Mahle, and Hengst; many modern BMWs also use fleece or synthetic media filters to meet long service intervals and high-performance demands. The exact type depends on the model, engine code, and production year, but BMW specifies high-quality, high-capacity filters that meet its Longlife service standards.

How BMW Oil Filters Are Specified

BMW does not make oil filters in-house; instead, it specifies performance and design standards, then sources filters from established OEM suppliers. These filters are then branded as BMW Genuine Parts or sold under the supplier’s own brand to the aftermarket.

Cartridge vs. Spin-On Oil Filters

For most modern BMWs (roughly early 2000s onward, and especially with engines like the N-series, B-series, and many late M engines), BMW uses cartridge-style oil filters that fit into a permanent filter housing on the engine. Earlier BMW models and a few specific engines used spin-on (canister) filters, but these are now the exception rather than the rule.

The main types of BMW oil filters can be broken down as follows:

• Cartridge (insert) filters: A paper or synthetic element that drops into a reusable housing on the engine. Common on 3 Series, 5 Series, X models, and many M Performance and M cars from the 2000s onward.
• Spin-on (canister) filters: A self-contained metal can with internal media that screws directly onto the engine block. Seen on many older BMWs, some motorcycles, and a few legacy engines.
• Fleece / synthetic media filters: A sub-type of cartridge filters using more advanced media that support longer intervals and better filtration of fine particles.

In practice, the vast majority of current-production BMW passenger cars use cartridge-style filters with advanced filter media, reflecting both environmental targets and maintenance strategies.

OEM Brands Behind BMW Oil Filters

Even though the filter may carry a BMW logo, it is typically produced by a well-known European filtration specialist under BMW’s specifications. Understanding the common OEM brands helps owners choose quality aftermarket parts that effectively match the factory filter.

The primary OEM manufacturers behind BMW-branded oil filters include:

• MANN+HUMMEL (Mann-Filter): One of BMW’s main filter suppliers; many Genuine BMW filters are reboxed Mann units. Widely available in the aftermarket.
• Mahle / Knecht: Another key OEM partner; Mahle and Knecht branded filters often mirror BMW factory parts in design and performance.
• Hengst: Frequently used by German automakers; several BMW oil filter applications are supplied by Hengst as OEM.
• Purflux and others (region- and engine-dependent): Some specific engines or markets may see other suppliers, but Mann, Mahle, and Hengst dominate.

Choosing a Mann, Mahle, or Hengst filter that matches the BMW part number is generally regarded by professionals as equivalent to using the Genuine BMW boxed filter in terms of construction and filtration performance.

Filter Media: Paper, Fleece, and Synthetic Blends

The type of media inside a BMW oil filter plays a critical role in how well it protects the engine, especially amid extended “Longlife” oil change intervals and turbocharged operation.

BMW-oriented oil filters typically feature one of these media types:

• Cellulose (paper) media: Traditional pleated paper; still used in some applications. Adequate for shorter intervals but less efficient at capturing ultra-fine particles compared with advanced media.
• Fleece (microfiber) media: Common on many modern BMW cartridge filters. Provides higher dirt-holding capacity and finer filtration; well-suited to extended service intervals.
• Hybrid / synthetic blends: Combine cellulose and synthetic fibers for balanced flow, filtration efficiency, and durability under high temperatures and pressures.

For late-model BMWs, BMW and its OEM suppliers typically favor fleece or hybrid filters to cope with turbocharged engines, tighter tolerances, and long change intervals specified under BMW Longlife service regimes.

BMW Longlife Standards and Oil Filter Requirements

BMW uses its own oil and filter standards—often branded as “BMW Longlife”—to ensure that lubrication systems meet the demands of high-output and highly efficient engines over relatively long service intervals. While these standards are usually discussed in relation to engine oil, the filters are chosen to work in tandem with those oils.

Key aspects of BMW’s Longlife requirements affecting oil filters include:

• Extended service intervals: Depending on model and region, intervals may range roughly from 10,000–15,000 miles (16,000–24,000 km) or around 12–24 months, so filters must hold more contaminants without becoming clogged.
• High-temperature stability: Turbocharged and performance engines run hot; filter media and seals need to resist thermal degradation and oil oxidation by-products.
• Fine particle filtration: Modern engines with tight tolerances and direct injection benefit from filters capable of capturing very small particles to limit wear and sludge formation.
• Pressure regulation: Built-in bypass valves and anti-drainback features (particularly in spin-on designs) must remain reliable for the full service interval.

Because of these demands, BMW filters are generally more robust than low-cost generic options, and using a filter that fails to meet these criteria can shorten engine life or exacerbate issues like sludge and timing chain wear.

How to Identify the Correct BMW Oil Filter

There is no single “BMW oil filter” that fits every model; the correct part is always tied to the specific engine and its design. Choosing the wrong filter can lead to leaks, poor filtration, or even engine damage.

By Model and Engine Code

The safest way to determine the correct filter is to match it to the car’s exact model, year, and engine code. BMW’s internal engine codes—such as N20, N55, B48, B58, S55, S58, or older units like M52 or M54—each correspond to specific oil filters.

To find the right filter, owners and technicians typically follow these steps:

1. Identify the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): Use the VIN—often via a BMW parts catalog or dealer system—to decode the engine and production date.
2. Look up the BMW OE part number: The OE part number (e.g., 11 42 x xx xxx) is used to pinpoint the exact filter for that engine and build date.
3. Cross-reference with OEM brands: Once the BMW part number is known, it can be cross-referenced to Mann, Mahle, Hengst, or other brands offering identical-spec filters.
4. Check for supersessions: BMW occasionally updates part numbers; ensure the latest superseded part is used, not an obsolete version.

This process ensures the filter’s size, sealing surfaces, bypass valve settings, and media capacity all match BMW’s original design parameters for the specific engine.

Typical Examples by Engine Family

While exact part numbers vary by production year and sub-variant, recent BMW engines follow familiar patterns in filter design.

Broadly speaking, recent BMW oil filter usage can be illustrated as follows:

• B48 / B58 (2.0L / 3.0L modular turbo engines): Cartridge-style filters in an aluminum housing on top of the engine, often supplied by Mann or Mahle and using advanced media.
• N20 / N26 / N55 (earlier turbo 4- and 6-cylinders): Cartridge-style inserts, top-mounted housings; widespread in F30 3 Series, F10 5 Series, X1/X3/X5, etc.
• S55 / S58 (M3/M4/M2 Competition and newer M models): High-performance cartridge filters with robust media and precise bypass characteristics.
• Older M5x / M6x / M52 / M54 engines: Often use cartridge filters in a side-mounted housing; some very early models used canister-style metal housings or spin-on filters.
• BMW motorcycles: Most modern BMW bikes use dedicated spin-on or cartridge filters unique to the motorcycle platforms, also typically from Mann or Mahle.

Despite differences in layout and application, these filters all share design goals: consistent oil flow, effective filtration, and reliable sealing across the full operating range of the engine.

Genuine BMW vs. Aftermarket Filters

Owners frequently ask whether they must use a Genuine BMW-branded oil filter or if a high-quality aftermarket option is acceptable. The answer depends less on branding and more on whether the filter is an OEM-equivalent product that meets BMW’s specifications.

When deciding between Genuine BMW and aftermarket filters, key considerations include:

• OEM-equivalent brands: Filters from Mann, Mahle, or Hengst with the correct cross-referenced number are usually functionally identical to BMW-badged filters.
• Build quality: Look for sturdy end caps, consistent pleating, robust seals/O-rings, and proper fit in the housing.
• Warranty and documentation: For vehicles under BMW warranty, some owners prefer Genuine BMW parts to avoid potential disputes, although in many markets using OEM-equivalent parts is allowed if they meet specifications.
• Avoiding ultra-cheap generics: Low-cost filters from unknown brands may use inferior media or poor construction, undermining BMW’s Longlife design assumptions.

For most owners, a Genuine BMW filter or an OEM-equivalent filter from a recognized supplier, matched precisely by part number, will provide the intended level of engine protection.

Environmental and Design Considerations

The shift toward cartridge filters in BMW vehicles is not only about engineering performance but also about serviceability and environmental impact. The reusable housing and reduced metal waste make cartridge systems more sustainable than traditional all-metal spin-on filters.

BMW’s move toward cartridge filters brings several implications:

• Less metal waste: Only the filter element and seals are replaced, reducing scrap metal compared with entire spin-on canisters.
• Easier inspection: Technicians can visually inspect the old element for metal particles or sludge, offering clues to internal engine health.
• Precision fitment: Engine-specific housings and elements support tighter integration with engine oil passages and pressure regulation.
• Service tooling: Many BMW filters require specific sockets or caps for the housing, promoting correct torque and sealing when serviced.

These design choices align with BMW’s broader goals of efficiency, sustainability, and long-term reliability, provided the correct filter is used and installed properly.

Practical Advice for BMW Owners

While the underlying engineering is complex, choosing and using the correct BMW oil filter can be simplified into a few concrete steps that owners or independent shops can follow with confidence.

Owners and technicians can ensure proper filtration by following these practices:

1. Always match filters by BMW part number or VIN-based lookup, not just “looks like it fits.”
2. Use Genuine BMW or OEM-equivalent filters from reputable brands (Mann, Mahle, Hengst, etc.).
3. Replace all included O-rings and sealing washers, especially on cartridge-style housings.
4. Follow the specified torque for the filter housing cap to avoid leaks or cracking.
5. Pair the filter with BMW-approved engine oil meeting the correct BMW Longlife specification (e.g., LL-01, LL-04, LL-14 FE+, or LL-17 FE+ depending on model and market).

Adhering to these steps helps maintain the oil system’s integrity and ensures the filter performs as BMW intended over the full service interval.

Summary

BMW predominantly uses engine-specific, cartridge-style oil filters—often with fleece or advanced synthetic media—supplied by OEM manufacturers such as Mann, Mahle, and Hengst to meet its Longlife standards. The exact filter type depends on the engine and model year, so the correct approach is to identify the appropriate BMW part number and select either a Genuine BMW filter or an OEM-equivalent match from a reputable brand. By using the right filter in combination with BMW-approved oil, owners help safeguard engine performance, longevity, and reliability across BMW’s modern and legacy vehicle lineup.

Which oil brand is recommended for BMW?

Best Engine Oils for Different Types of BMW Models (2025 Guide)

• Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 (LL-04) Castrol Edge 0W-20 (LL-17 FE+)
• Shell Helix Ultra ECT C3 5W-30 (LL-04)
• BMW TwinPower Turbo 5W-30 (OEM oil)
• Castrol Edge 0W-20 (LL-17 FE+)
• Valvoline VR1 20W-50 (for vintage BMWs)
• Always use full synthetic oil for turbocharged BMWs.

What oil filter does BMW use?

BMW uses oil filters from original equipment manufacturers (OEM), primarily Mahle and Mann-Hummel. While BMW sells filters under its own “Genuine BMW” branding, these are manufactured by companies like Mahle and Mann. For aftermarket options, both Mahle and Mann are considered high-quality replacements. 

• Mahle: Considered one of the largest oil filter manufacturers in the world and a primary supplier for BMW. 
• Mann-Hummel: Another OEM supplier for BMW. 
• Other options: Other brands like Hengst are also sometimes used, and many aftermarket brands are available, but Mahle and Mann are the most direct OEM equivalents. 
• Choosing an oil filter: When purchasing an oil filter, it is best to choose one that is specified for your particular BMW model to ensure proper fitment and filtration. 

What is the best oil filter for a BMW?

The best oil filters for a BMW are the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) filters or high-quality aftermarket brands like Mann, Mahle, and Hengst, which are often the OEM suppliers. These filters are known for their quality, construction, and compatibility, ensuring they meet the specifications of European engines and handle extended oil change intervals. While other brands are good, these are the most recommended to avoid potential fitment or performance issues.
 
This video demonstrates how to choose the best oil filter based on engineer tests: 56sBrand RanksYouTube · Mar 19, 2023
Top recommended brands

• Hengst: Often considered a top-tier choice, especially for those prioritizing a German-made filter, though some sources note Mahle as a strong alternative and Mann as slightly less premium than the other two. 
• Mahle: Another very strong OEM-equivalent filter that is highly recommended for BMWs. 
• Mann: A widely recommended and high-quality brand that is an original manufacturer for BMW and other European cars. 
• Other good options: Brands like Mobil1, Amsoil, and PureOne are also well-regarded for their quality and performance. 

This video shows how to choose the best oil filter based on engineer tests and features: 1mCarsNToysYouTube · Nov 11, 2025
What to look for

• OE specifications: Look for filters that are manufactured to OEM standards or are the OE supplier. 
• Quality construction: Consider filters with high-grade filter media, durable housings, and reliable bypass valves to ensure proper filtration and engine protection. 
• Avoid low-quality brands: Steer clear of budget brands like FRAM, NAPA, and Champion, as they may not meet the performance and durability standards required for a BMW engine. 

Who makes BMW OEM oil filters?

BMW sources its OEM oil filters from several manufacturers, with Mahle and Mann being the most prominent suppliers. Both companies produce filters that meet BMW’s original equipment specifications, meaning a genuine Mahle or Mann filter will be identical in quality to the one with the BMW logo on it, just without the BMW branding, say forum users on Bimmerpost. 

• Mahle: A major global manufacturer that is a significant OEM supplier for BMW, say sources on Amazon and IDParts.com https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Mahle-Original-OX152-1D/dp/B00DP598NM,. 
• Mann: Another key OEM supplier that manufactures filters for various BMW models, say sources on OEM Bimmer Parts and BimmerWorld https://oembimmerparts.com/products/bmw-e46-oil-filter-mann,. 
• Other suppliers: While Mahle and Mann are common, other manufacturers like Hengst and UFI also supply filters that may be used as OEM replacements.