Needless to say it won't be waiting that long to ever be changed again. The air filter didn't look much better either. Black as Newgates knocker.
The power steering flush was a huge success, curing the whiney noises completely. I also changed the brake fluid as well. No noticeable difference but piece of mind none the less.
The oil filter once removed was collapsing in on itself. This is why I've never agreed with high mileage oil intervals and this makes the point. I change mine every year or 8000 miles whichever comes first.
Lastly I put on a new set of tyres to complete my tlc for Tank. The car drives superbly now, exactly as it should. Just shows highlights how important servicing is.
My inside cabin pollen filter on the x5 was the one it left the factory with in 2009 when I removed it in 2019 I think it was 
Stragely they were made of what looks like a hard plastic matrix not paper and had gone brittle and split in half so wasn't causing much resistance 
