Walmart oil filter?

[Dale_K]

I see in a thread in the 1150 section a listing for the WalMart ST3614 as a cross reference for the 1150 oil filter. Does the R1200R use the same filter as the 1150? Any reason not to use the Walmart filter if it fits? I started using Walmart filters in my last bike and they seemed to be good quality units so I'm thinking about using them in the R1200.

[deilenberger]

Under warranty?

[mogu83]

I did a search on ST3614 and was amazed at the amount of hits. Looks like oil filter threads are a close second to oil threads.
I assume your looking for opinions - so here's mine.
I pay $10 a quart for oil when I could get oil for $2.50. Both have almost the same ratings and if you pour them in a glass they look almost the same. If I sell the bike with moderate mileage on it, I'm sure the engine wouldn't show the effects of the cheap oil while I owned it. But I give the bike the good oil.
Same with oil filters. Many other brands show as a direct replacement for the BMW filter on a cross reference chart. One of the posts mentioned above shows a BMW and a Fram cut apart and they look almost the same (although the BMW filter seemed to have more metal parts in it). Again I'm sure my motor wouldn't suffer greatly with a aftermarket filter in it. But I'll give the bike the BMW filter.

Using BMW synthetic oil and filter I figure I'm paying about $56 every 6,000 miles for an oil and filter change. That's less than ten cents (US) every hundred miles.

Naturally if I got stuck I would use any filter that fit, and if I was over a quart low on oil I would put just about anything in.

[Dale_K]

I didn't think to search the entire web, I only searched for "Walmart" on this site. Some folks who've actually cut apart all the brands to compare the guts say the Walmart filter is quite good, so I bought one today. Bought a 5qt jug of Walmart 20-50 too. $9.50 for the oil, $2.47 for the filter.

Here are a couple links.

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/FilterXRef.html
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/FilterStudy.html

[tommylikesbeer]

For what its worth, BMW does not make their own oil or filters. All brands of filters can be used and do not void the warrenty.

[deilenberger]

For what its worth, BMW does not make their own oil or filters. All brands of filters can be used and do not void the warrenty.

For what it's worth - that's not actually correct. The only filters that don't void the warranty are filters that are specifically made and sold as being for the bike in question. Using some off-brand car filter on a bike could be cause for warranty denial. In one case I know of - BMW initially denied warranty coverage on engine damage for someone who had used an R11/K-bike oil filter on a R1200 engined bike. And that's the reason for my question about warranty..

AFAIK - there is only one oil filter besides BMWs that is specifically sold for use with this engine - it's from K&N the air filter people. I did a few searches a while back - and that's the only one that the manufacturer is willing to certify will work with our engine. It cost about $0.50 less than a BMW filter.

[tommylikesbeer]

Yes I should have said any brand made for the bike, sorry.

[Dale_K]

I did the oil & filter change last evening. The Walmart 3614 filter is about an inch longer than the old filter so it extends about 1/4" beyond the bottom of the oil sump. I notice the other thread about a BMW filter apparently punctured by road debris and the Walmart filter would be more vulnerable because some of it is not enclosed within the recess of the oil pan. Until I read the other thread I wasn't concerned because I couldn't see any damage on the bottom of the oil pan fins leading me to think a person would be unlikely to scrape the bottom of the motor. I wouldn't use it on a GS though.

I feel comfortablle about the oil filtering ability of the Walmart unit but I'll keep my eye on it for physical damage.

[deilenberger]

I feel comfortablle about the oil filtering ability of the Walmart unit but I'll keep my eye on it for physical damage.

If you have the sort of physical damage I did - you'll realize it without even looking. The feeling of instability is sort of like riding on ice, another thing I try to avoid.

I wouldn't risk it myself (aside from the warranty problem if you suffer an engine problem..) Skin costs more than a BMW oil filter.

[ca_rockster]

Ok, sorry if this offends anobody, but saving a couple of $$ by buying an off brand product from Wally-mart? Why?

This is why the US is doing poorly - everyone is waiving American flags and pose as patriots. At the same time they want to buy cheap and screw the local mom-and-pop out of their business.

Just crack open your piggybank and PAY. It will possibly save you money in the long run - but if not, maybe your neighbour will stay in business so he/she can afford to join in on the next ride!

Or buy WM and sit back and watch the Chinese revolution!
Oh - BMW is a German company? Hey, they probably don't mind your support either.

[tommylikesbeer]

Be an American and buy German?? The new BMW singles and small twin engines are made in China! Bet the filter says BMW, but I bet it's made in China too.

[bobw]

Oil Filter threads are almost as much fun as Oil threads.

Many suppliers will manufacture items like tires, oil and filters to OEM, Military or Industry (like SAE, etc.) specs and by using those designators they represent/ensure users of a defined "minimum" quality that can be cross referenced for offerings from other manufacturers. BMW, Ford, Honda, etc., don't refine oil; make filters, tires, batteries, etc. While Don is correct in the issue with an owner using a longer 1150 spec'd filter on his 1200 having an issue, it was a civil pissing contest for warranty repair as the filter isn't listed as a cross reference for the 1200 filter, not that it couldn't work nor that it actually caused the failure. If you use a cross referenced part or a manufacturer lists a "meets or exceeds" XYZ Standards qualifier you should have them defending their product if BMW refused warranty repair because you used a "proper" MANN filter, Golden Spectro Oil, etc., etc.

All that being said, "Minimum" standard supplies may be good in only the perfect conditions that never exist. I want a better oil additive package, speed rated tires, more cold cranking capabilities in my battery, etc. I will support my BMW dealer if BMW Golden Spectro is priced close to Golden Spectro Golden Spectro, but I won't pay twice as much just to support a poor business model or simple greed.

YMMV, measure twice, cut once, no such thing as a free lunch, frugal VS cheap, be green, blah, blah, blah It's riding season, these are winter threads!

[deilenberger]

Oil Filter threads are almost as much fun as Oil threads.

Many suppliers will manufacture items like tires, oil and filters to OEM, Military or Industry (like SAE, etc.) specs and by using those designators they represent/ensure users of a defined "minimum" quality that can be cross referenced for offerings from other manufacturers. BMW, Ford, Honda, etc., don't refine oil; make filters, tires, batteries, etc. While Don is correct in the issue with an owner using a longer 1150 spec'd filter on his 1200 having an issue, it was a civil pissing contest for warranty repair as the filter isn't listed as a cross reference for the 1200 filter, not that it couldn't work nor that it actually caused the failure. If you use a cross referenced part or a manufacturer lists a "meets or exceeds" XYZ Standards qualifier you should have them defending their product if BMW refused warranty repair because you used a "proper" MANN filter, Golden Spectro Oil, etc., etc.

Agreed - my point here is - why give the dealer/BMW the opportunity to raise questions on warranty? If you're doing your own service, the dealer isn't likely to be in your corner with BMW (they've lost service business), so you need proof you've been meeting BMW's minimum service requirements. Easiest way I know to do that is have a stack of receipts from your dealer showing you've used ALL BMW parts on the bike at regular intervals that would correspond to normal service intervals.

Once it's out of warranty - I've got 3 gallons of Mobil1 15W-40 sitting in a cabinet waiting to go in.. (3 oil changes, not one..) And MANN filters have been fine - OE manufacturer for BMW, if they make one of the shortie R12 sized filters.

All that being said, "Minimum" standard supplies may be good in only the perfect conditions that never exist. I want a better oil additive package, speed rated tires, more cold cranking capabilities in my battery, etc. I will support my BMW dealer if BMW Golden Spectro is priced close to Golden Spectro Golden Spectro, but I won't pay twice as much just to support a poor business model or simple greed.

YMMV, measure twice, cut once, no such thing as a free lunch, frugal VS cheap, be green, blah, blah, blah It's riding season, these are winter threads!

Also agreed - watch out for the oily pavement.. (going home that way tonight, will be looking for what did in my oil filter..)

[Flashdog]

For the R1150R any brand name oil, API classification SF, SG, or SH; the suffixes CD or CE are permitted; or brand name HD oil of CCMC classification G4 or G5; the suffix PD2 is permitted. In other words, almost any quality multi-grade oil will do. I run Mobil 1 or Amsoil 20W-50 when I can get it. I've also run Castrol Syntec 20W-50. I use a NAPA Gold 1348 oil filter. According to my online research it is the exact same filter ans the K&N. It's made by either Wix or the other big one who's name eludes me for now. The NAPA catalog states that this filter IS for the R1150R. It has a thicker (stronger) case and the same internal anti-siphon (drain-back) valve as the BMW.

[deilenberger]

For the R1150R any brand name oil, API classification SF, SG, or SH; the suffixes CD or CE are permitted; or brand name HD oil of CCMC classification G4 or G5; the suffix PD2 is permitted. In other words, almost any quality multi-grade oil will do. I run Mobil 1 or Amsoil 20W-50 when I can get it. I've also run Castrol Syntec 20W-50. I use a NAPA Gold 1348 oil filter. According to my online research it is the exact same filter ans the K&N. It's made by either Wix or the other big one who's name eludes me for now. The NAPA catalog states that this filter IS for the R1150R. It has a thicker (stronger) case and the same internal anti-siphon (drain-back) valve as the BMW.

Steve - no argument for out of warranty bikes. Use what you feel is right and makes you happy.

My concern under warranty is a trouble-free warranty claim if I needed to use the warranty. I can't see saving $30 on an oil change and loosing a warranty.. so I use BMW parts bought from my BMW dealer while under warranty. Once I'm outta warranty, I have the oil for the bike waiting for it.

[Flashdog]

Harley tried telling people that they were in violation of the warranty if they didn't use Harley oil back in the 80's. They were sued and the outcome of that lawsuit was that Harley lost. If a manufacturer insists that you use their oil then it must be provided by the manufacturer at no cost. At least how I remember it to be. The lawsuit is one of the reasons the oil discussions started and continue. In my post I simply copied what was in my owners manual. BMW oil is nothing more than some other quality oil with a new label. Go in the back and look whats on the shelf in most dealerships.

[deilenberger]

Steve -

BMW can require the use of oil that meets certain specifications to keep the warranty intact. And they do. And that's legal under the Magnusson-Moss act (Google it..) The subject has also been discussed/argued here and many other places ad-infinitum.

Even if they couldn't deny the warranty - you are missing my point. I don't want ANY PROBLEM with a warranty claim. I don't want it delayed, I don't want it questioned, I want it taken care of. Now. Since I do my own service I make certain that there are no delays/questions/whatever by using BMW parts. BMW can't and won't question a part they sell. It also gives the dealer a bit of profit off me - which might incline them to approve the warranty claim without bringing BMW into it, or going to bat with BMW if there was a question on a claim. Call it good will, call it whatever. I'm not into saving money on my bike - it's too important to me.

I do this. You, and anyone here can do whatever they want to do. Since your bike isn't under BMW warranty I don't believe you'd have any concern about getting warranty coverage. Since mine is under warranty - I want any claim I might make taken care of now, without question. This is how I do this. YMMV and more than likely will.

BTW - is it too quiet in the 1150 part of the forum? Or are you thinking of coming to the modern age boxers?

[Flashdog]

I can and do totally agree with supporting your local dealer. I supported my dealer with a 98' Moto Guzzi I had and when the bike started running bad under warranty my dealer went to bat for me and after 8 months of fighting Moto Guzzi NA lemon-lawed my bike and gave me a 99' model.

I love my R1150R but, I'm having a wandering eye for a blue R1200GS with the lowered seat and cast wheels and Gobi bags, luggage rack..........