Alternative oil filters.

[Guest Anonymous]

Our "well intentioned" parts guy tells us that several different oil filters can be used on the 02 including the filters designated for use on a 325 and a Porsche 944.

Can anyone confirm this? Truth or urban legend?

Thank you in adavance

[napa02]

I just looked up both of those filters,325 is a cartridge style, 944 is the wrong thread, so no they won't work and why would you even want to screw with that anyway? 02 filters are not hard to find, any decent parts store shoud have them. what would be the advantage of using something else? I'm I missing something here? curious to hear your thoughts.

[KFunk]

If you can find a car with the same threads and diameter but a larger engine, the filter would probably be bigger (longer). Just more filtering surface would be better. But I have no idea if theres such a filter out there.

[AlCanuck]

E30 325 uses a Mahle OC47, same as the older watercooled VW's. It will spin on an 02, but why? It's a good bit longer than the OC25 designed for the 02, so it might be kinda tight in there anyway.

944 is totally different filter, and E36 325 uses a cannister.

Al

[Guest Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure I've used a taller "longer" filter on our 02's. Its been many years but I recall buying in bulk on an out of town trip. The parts guy "inadvertently" supplied us with a carton of the wrong filters. I particularly recall this because the extra length made them difficult to screw on. I called a local parts store who assured me over the phone that the filters I bought had the same pressure relief valve, thread dimensions and had the advantage of holding more filter material and more oil - so we gave it a try. I eventually did use them all (6?) without incident. For some reason I think they carried both an audi/porsche BMW (plymouth cricket?)number and bore the Purolator name.

[jgerry2002]

stick with stock, order in bulk from the usual sources.

99% of "other" filters aren't strong enough and will probably let you down on a cold morning when the can bursts.

[robspeed]

VW filters are indeed the same thread, but will *NOT* fit between the motor and frame rail, not with motor movement anyway (if at all).... thats why 02s have such lil suckers...

[jimk]

Celulos media is out, synthetic media is better, nanofiber is the best. Be sure you have the same internal relief valve setting (Been so long ago that I looked into a BMW filter to remember if it has one.)

[70roundtail02]

When I first got my car the PO had some sort of K&N filter on there, it was really nice to get off cause it had a nut sort of deal on the back of the housing and a quick turn of a 14mm and off it came. From what I have seen in K&N's catologues that doesnt' exist for an 02.

[hpsenicka]

E30 325 uses a Mahle OC47, same as the older watercooled VW's. It will spin on an 02, but why? It's a good bit longer than the OC25 designed for the 02, so it might be kinda tight in there anyway.

944 is totally different filter, and E36 325 uses a cannister.

Al

The Mahle OC84 is apparently an equivalent substitution for the standard Mahle OC25. I don't have details on physical dimensions, but I have been told that the OC84 has a higher pressure rating (30 bar I think), and is better suited for the demands of colder climates, where oil pressure may be high on initial startup.