BMW performance intake filter element replacement

[NorCalZman]

Ok I found a bunch of filters recently that supposedly fit the Performance Intake and here's the comparisons. I cant tell if the filters have date stamps or just random serial numbers so I cannot be sure what year they were made.Im not sure if more pleats equals better filtering but I counted them anyway.
1) NAPA ProSelect: 98 Pleats. Made in China. No metal reinforcement on the back so very flimsy. Rubber is super soft. Filter medium seemed shorter than the others. This was the cheapest filter I bought.
2) WIX (orange filter): 95 Pleats. Made in China. metal reinforcement on back. Rubber is super soft.
3) WIX (white filter): 83 Pleats. Made in USA. Metal reinforcement on back. Rubber is stiffer than WIX orange.
4) MAHLE: 93 Pleats. Made in China. Metal reinforcement on back. Rubber is equal stiffness to WIX white.
5) Purolater: 62 Pleats. Made in USA. Metal reinforcement on back. rubber is medium stiffness. I was surprised at this one. According to that YouTube video I linked above, the Purolater filtered better than most others, like the WIX. Has much less pleats than the others. Maybe that does not mean much for the performance.

Any questions just ask!

[John in VA]

Does the metal reinforcement mesh prevent any filter from fitting into the performance airbox?

[NorCalZman]

Does the metal reinforcement mesh prevent any filter from fitting into the performance airbox?

I haven’t changed my filter yet but I would not think so. I was able to bend few of them into shape without much effort

[BADCLOWN]

What’s the recommendation based off all the ones you bought?

[NorCalZman]

What’s the recommendation based off all the ones you bought?

Im not a filter expert but.....
The WIX filters are no longer produced so you probably cannot find them, but everything I read about them says they are really high quality filters.
that Napa ProSelect filter I was not impressed with (size of pleats, cost of filter itself, etc) so I probably will not use that one.
the MAHLE filters I would use since they are a German OEM brand
The Purolator got good marks in that YouTube video above but it has the least amount of pleats so not sure.

[BADCLOWN]

Where did you get the mahle filter at, eBay?

[NorCalZman]

Where did you get the mahle filter at, eBay?

rock auto