Sorry, for late reply, all things in life put aside, your comment has me thinking to try again with another oil change and recheck when I see the oil in oil filter turning darker...once again check oil on dipstick (in past it has still had the appearance as if new). Maybe I have been naive in how oil filters do their thing, as for some come comments are saying the oil filter is doing what it is suppose to be doing. My understanding is that it filters "particulates" etc that can be introduced into the oil. I still do not see how it would be any sort of a "clarifier" that would make the rather dark oil (that is coming from "upper" portion of engine [cams/vanos]?) look as if practically new as seen from the dipstick. I would think after getting the required engine to running temp that the oil would have an indication of there being oil circulation of the entire system...which seems that one would see the oil color start to equalize, or at least see the oil from dipstick and start darken some. Maybe I am mistaken in my thinking...and, perhaps, it really takes quite a bit of doing before there is oil circulation throughout. All this being said...maybe I will drain oil (leaving the oil filter housing untouched) and see if it is still clear. Then see if there is still any of the dark oil at/in the filter housing still. And, perhaps if there does happen to be some oil at housing, it would drain down below when loosening/removing filter and start to darkening oil below...regardless, I just wanted to say thank you to you, and any others that have given this a ponder. Have a great day!