I would bet double shots of espresso that Fram is not an approved filter by MB. Remember, the manufacturing specification has come from MB and therefore what is viewed as cotton waste, is what MB wants in the filter. That is the reason that all the high end German OEM manufactures are making the filter that way. I would double my bet to say that the filtering ability of what is in fact new raw cotton, is greater than what has been described as string in the Fram. The section of the filter we are talking about is the section that cycles a fraction of the oil back to the pan at a much higher cleaning ability than the smaller section.

I'll place my bet with an OEM approved manufacture following the specifications MB has developed while admitting I have no factual understanding on the benefit for one method over another....yet.

I will continue my dialog with Wolfgand and Hengst until I do understand and that the decision I make is based on facts.

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1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it