We’ll done. I was a fan of K&N for years. Best part was the 17mm nut.  But after seeing the secondary filter in the BMW and the Mahle, I’ll be going back to the OEM model.  Really informative. We’ll thought out. Don’t be afraid to give your opinion. After all, you’re the expert. Guys like you are beyond valuable to folks like us. Keep up the good work 👊

For what it's worth, great video. I agree with the other comments, and I"m glad to see you have posted a recommendation in the comment section.  Next time include your concluding comments and summarized results at the end of the video.  Great informative video for someone just starting out. Thanks!

I've used the hi Flo filter on my 09 R1200rt-p and have never had any problems.
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Thanks for the review.  First time i have seen a BMW filter disassembled like this.
BMW filters are made by Mahle and Mahle make good filters.
General consensus is, HiFlo make K&N filters.  That's why they are similar internally.  What surprises me though is the filter medium in the HiFlo is much better installed with an even spacing comparable with the BMW & Mahle filters.  And there are more pleats but this may be due to the media being thinner and being able to fit in.
Cost aside, BMW/Mahle for me first preference with HiFlo second.

I like the video.  More info for the rider so they can make their purchasing decisions.  Here's my $.02 worth.  
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I know a thing or two about those filters because I did a 3-part video listing specs as well as showing their performance in filtering ultraviolet particulate.  You can find those videos if you do a YouTube search for "Motorcycle Oil Filters In The Nuclear Age"
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The spring controls the amount of pressure at which the bypass valve opens.  The spring's primary purpose is NOT to push the filter against the outer housing.  The lower the spring pressure, the sooner the bypass valve opens, which allows unfiltered oil to bypass the filter assembly.  Measuring spring thickness doesn't equate to any usable data.  Measuring the amount of force needed to open that bypass filter is the data you really need.
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Number of pleats is interesting, but not very useful.  Thinner media can be folded more often.  In order for data to be useful you need to measure filter paper thickness, as well as square inches of media.  The thinner the media and the smaller the square inches, means less filtering.  Of course a filter can have thick media (and lots of sq.in.) and still be a failure.  That's because the filter media must have holes in the paper so oil can pass.  Too big a hole and crud passes through.  Too small and the filter will choke the flow of oil.  
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As for the K&N filter, my test seemed to show it did a good job... BUT at the end of the test we learned the bypass valve opened at a very LOW pressure, meaning the filter was prone to allowing unfiltered oil to reach the engine.  This would typically happen during a cold start-up and under heavy loads.  If I recall the K&N spring rate was less than half the BMW or the Mahle.
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As for the Mahle filter, it was on-par with the BMW filter, EXCEPT that the BMW filter had one more feature the Mahle lacked - a small screen on the bypass filter opening.  That BMW screen would prevent large particles from circulating thru the engine once the bypass valve opened.  Note that Mahle also makes the BMW filter, but BMW must have added the sceen mesh specification.  Which means the BMW filter is slightly superior (except for cost). *see below
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As for the HiFlo filter, it's performance was truly dismal.  I wouldn't put one in a lawn mower.
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And finally, the BMW and Mahle filter you tested were different models than the ones I tested.  The wire mesh screen was not present, instead there was a synthetic mesh screen used on both brands shown in your test.  Based on that, I'd say those 2 filters were identical except for branding and price.
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As for me, I try to use the BMW filter when time and money permit (ordering, availability, etc.).  But if a BMW filter isn't on hand I will happily use a Mahle filter.

As an ex BMW tech, Mahle make the BMW filters I believe, and some things you just don't scrimp on, people will use high quality oils, then go stingy on the filter. DUMB!

Thank you very much!

Hi flo used to make filters for K&N. Not sure if they still do, but that would explain the similarity.

Cheers mate that was very informative 👍

Great Video, keep up the great work!

That ws interesting - I had no idea of the complexity inside of the filter... and think I do like my Mahle filters.

I’ve started to use the Bosch 72161WS for my BMWs.  Perfect fit, cheapest out there, and it’s Bosch.

Good work 👏

I've owned german cars since 1981, with a VW Jetta  diesel 2 door coupe.   Mann, Mahle, and german brand filters is all I've ever run on my german cars. Same with my BMW R1250 GS, I run Mahle filters made in Austria. BMW works very closely as does Porsche, Audi and Rotax for their filtering requirements.  My 2015 Touareg Lux TDI and Passat SEL TDI get the same oil filter treatment. The extra bypass oil filter inside goes to show how important it is to feed your engine bearings and internal bearing parts clean oil.

Nice dude. Great channel

First of spring has nothing to do with much than press plate. If the filter cartridge is a certain size that would include the bigger spring. Also the oring(tampered) accounts for that. That has nothing to do with which is better. They all are great. But price wise are not equal. So I will purchase which ever is cheaper and easier to buy.

There is VERY little info. on the web, even in 2022, on Genuine BMW Oil Filters vs. OEM/Aftermarket.  I used to use Mann or Mahle oil filters for my BMW M30 and M50 engines.  Then I decided to buy a Genuine BMW oil filter.  I noticed the Genuine BMW filter was made by Mahle.  I previously had a Mahle I removed from an oil change.  The Genuine BMW filter had smaller metal holes on the interior cylinder than the Mahle filter.  The BMW one clearly had more intricacy and higher demands for filtration and justified the price.  Weight has to be spot-on in order to get BMW stamp - I was told this by a major US BMW autoparts supplier, Bav Auto, who's sales rep used to work at a auto parts manufacturing company responsible for widgets.  He told me, if you really want your car to last, go with genuine BMW, if you just want to get by for a few years, go with the cheaper stuff.  The BMW stamp, is not just paying for the stamp, or the dealer's overhead, there is more to it that very few know.

Awesome video. I tried the k&n filter for the k1300s and it never fit right. Went back to the oem bmw filter and I am so glad I did after watching this video. Thank you so much.

I suggest an end that actually recommends which one is 1st 2nd 3rd 4th in order of best to worst (even if the worst is very good).

But you didn't show the length of filters papers 🙄