Fram oild filters- decent??
 

I want to change my oil tommarrow but the local autozone only has fram filters. They, re pretty cheap $9 but are they that bad. I probably won't use them in subsequent oil changes. I just got this car, and its due for a change. I also just really want to get my hands greasy with this beauty:) . What are your thoughts, and what weight oil do you suggest. As far as brand of oil: i've searched the posts and see that the jury is definitely still out, but everyone seems to agree that syntheic is the best, so I think I'll go with synthetic. Thanks a lot

FRAM=JUNK, get a OE filter from Hengst or Mann, Phil tends to always have them at FastLane. I've used the FRAM filter once, and the thing fell apart when I took it out when I was going to change it with a Hengst filter.
As for oil, go with Delo 400, don't waste your money on the synthetics until you know you engine, and how much it leaks or how much oil it consumes, this can be costly. The OM617 I had in my old 300CD worked best with Delo 400...

I either get filters from the dealer of from Phil, I would also be reluctant to use Fram. Personally, I like Mobil 1 5W40, but it's a little pricey. The choice between dino and synthetic comes down to money and how frequently you plan on changing your oil. Whatever you do, make sure you get a diesel rated oil.

Dad bought it for his 300D it sucked! didnt even come with the rings!
At my autozone all they had was STP filters and i liked them better, felt better in quality then the fram and came with all the rings and gaskets. Although i havent checked the fram filter thats in my dads car right now but its time for an oil change soon so it will be checked.

German are better i use MAHLE for the TDI passat but youll have to order them online or find a place that sells them.

Yeah I was looking at a fram one at autozone a week ago, I noted the lack of gasket and copper o-ring. And they cost just as much as a Hengst or Bosch filter from phil, so why buy one.

figure it this way, its better than no filter. thats about it, stp sucks too. stick with oem or wix

Mann all the way...$6.50 at my local parts place complete with o-rings and crush washers...even the Bosch filters don't come with the crush washers.

I use Purolator for mine. How are those? They seem to be really good, and comes with the O-rings, and even the brass washers for the oil pan nut. A little pricey, runs me about 6-7 bucks.. but seems to be good. Anybody ever use em?

Purolator is about the worst POS that you can purchase. I cut open a Purolator and there was nothing but loose granular cotton with a bunch of crap in the bypass section. Avoid the Purolator like the plague.........naturally, they are in every McParts that you would go into..........:mad:

The best filters for the 617 are Wix and the factory OE filter.

I like WIX for my Ford Vans but the filter they offer for our Mercedes is hollow in the middle (no bypass). I buy the Mann filters or Hengst.

I like to use Delo 400 in my engine, and i usually get OEM filter. (brother works at MB dealership). I would not use fram even if its all they had i. WIX is a good filter too.

Oil Filters
 

Pass on the Fram; Wix is not much better. Both of them do not include the rubber gasket or copper washer, and they look 'cheap'. Online you can ge a Mann or Hegnst for the same money.:)

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html




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My local Autozone carries STP's for these cars. They are reboxed Mann's. Has Mann stamped right on the filter.:D

I don't buy them often though, Fastlane will sell me a Bosch filter for about $1 less.

616 and 617 engines take the Fram 2930 filter. Problem is, Fram gets them from more than one source. If you get the one made in Turkey, it is packed with cotton string. A year or so ago when we were whacking open filters, just about all the others were full of cotton gin scrap :eek: but ths one had clean tightly packed string. If you get the Fram 2930 that is hecho in Mexico, it is complete junk, worse than useless. Like Brian said, stay away from Purolator, STP, etc. Those are full of cotton gin scrap. A lot of people like the Wix, but the ones I saw don't have a bypass section, so I won't use them.