Bosch 72161 vs. 3330

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I have a 2004 BMW motorcycle R1200CL which I purchased used last year. The bike is now due for an oil/filter change so I ordered a Bosch 72161 filter which was recommended by an online retailer. The old filter was a Bosch 3330. As far as I can tell, they appear to be similar. Does anyone know what the difference is between the two part numbers?
 
A Bosch 3xxx is an American-made Purolator PureONE clone with a Bosch label.

A Bosch 7xxxx is a (IIRC) German made 'real' Bosch filter.

Both are fine filters, but the Purolator-sourced one probably filters better.
 
Also, the 3xxx filters are most likely cheaper and easily available through local auto stores. You'd probably have to mail-order anything with a 7xxxx number.

Hence the reason why Bosch bought Purolator- why go through the trouble of importing their own filters when they can just put some black paint and a Bosch label on an existing high-quality filter that's made here?
 
I have the same BMW motorcycle and run the PureOne PL10241 filter with no issues. I think some of my local AA stores carry the 72161 and 3330. Use any of the above filters and you'll be fine.

p.s. have you visited chromeheads.org ?
 
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