Oil filter Mahle or OEM BMW

I have several VW/Audi cars and I use Mahle oil filters most of the time. I've heard some horror stories about other aftermarket filters causing some problems, particularly on the water cooled Vanagons (I have one). Mahle and Mann seem like the best option.

My lovely girl friend has a 2 door BMW 1997 325i. It's a very pretty car with 176k miles on it. We drove it all over and one day it hit me, when was the last time the oil was changed? She thought her parents maintained it, but after some digging the oil hadn't been changed in 1 1/2 years and possibly 30k miles. I pulled the filter out and it was worse than this, and just fyi BMW filters like these do it kinda often from what I have read.

Then engine had 2.5 out of the 7 quarts it is supposed to have. (poured the oil in a 4 quart jug to see). I have absolutely no idea how it lasted so long. It was a ticking time bomb. So after 6 quarts of oil and the seventh being sludge cleaner, the engine has no more ticks and runs very well.

Putting together a cart on RockAuto.com Ignition : Distributor Cap - BOSCH Part # 03214 Ignition : Distributor Rotor - BOSCH Part # 04038 Ignition : Spark Plug Wire Set - BOSCH Part # 09273 OE Engine : Valve Cover Gasket - BECK/ARNLEY Part # 0361431 High Temp Cork/Rubber Engine : Timing Belt - BECK/ARNLEY Part # 0260176 121 teeth; Trapezoidal tooth profile; Neoprene construction for durability. Ignition : Spark Plug - BOSCH Part # 7900 {#7500, W7DC, WR7DTC} SUPER PLUS Fuel/Air : Air Filter - MANN Part # C2860 Fuel/Air : Fuel Filter - BECK/ARNLEY Part # 0430798 Engine : Oil Filter - MAHLE Part # OC108 Am I missing anything?

I like the Mahle filter because it has a notched end on it, no need for a filter wrench anymore.

I just recently purchased a mahle oil filter and it is made in austria, good to hear good quality stuff is still available after mann has let me down.

ooooohhh thanks for the tip. oh yeah, mahle oil filter, new cable bushings, new rubber type valve cover gasket seal, valve cover gasket studs, dipstick bushings, oil, and myriad other things are waiting to go in...

motor oil: Valvoline 20W50 dinosaur oil with a Mahle filter

I'd go for the Mahle or VW oil filter. Most aftermarket filters (Not sure about K&N) dont' have the check valve thingy in them...it's good for a few psi if I recall correctly...

Anyhow I would be interested in going longer drain interval, so I think that I will check out these new products Mobil is offering. Although I think the Mahle filter that has been in use is filtering well enough and the price is right at $5.

My mechanic said that a small amount of metal flakes in the engine oil filter is normal, but the amount here is significant and shows theres a something going wrong.