That's a very compact looking unit. In some applications it might help to clear a tight area. That is an issue with the X1/9; there isn't enough space between the block and body/frame to add a cooler under the filter. It also seems like the smaller unit might have a little less heat exchange compared to a larger unit, but everything has tradeoffs. As you say, the question would be if the threads are the same. Interestly Fiat used a common SAE thread for the oil filter - compared to all the odd threads used everywhere else. That makes it the same as many vehicles, which opens up alternative possibilities.Infiniti G35 also has a sandwich-style oil-to-engine coolant oil cooler