FWIW, there's a factory near Nashville that makes filters labeled Wix, but they also brand some as Napa and a couple other names I've forgotten. A friend who was there on business was impressed by their attention to such details as the drainback valve material, amount and quantity of filter material (he was surprised that they used the "fluff" but they explained that it does the job, along with the pleated paper), etc. I switched to Wix because of his "testimony" . I like to support AMERICAN manufacturers as much as I can; I swear it's scary how many factories are closing in the name of cost saving - I sell industrial supplies to these type places and folks, if we do not begin to pay attention to the origin of our goods I really cannot imagine what'll happen to the USA. Anyone who replies regarding my (apparently hypocritical) purchase of foreign cars needs to research how much of a Ford, for instance, is actually made in the USA; also I bet by the time one considers the techs, salesmen and other MBUSA employees we keep employed keeping our imported cars running we contribute more to the domestic revenue than an "American car" owner!

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RIP "Betsy" (Oo=*=oO)
'96 E 3 2 0 (W 2 1 0) M 1 0 4 (Totalled)
Spaces in sig so as not to screw up the SEARCH; every time someone searches for that MB they don't want my sig!

2004 Audi A8L
'98 VW Passat 1.8T 5M
'87 Alfa Romeo Milano 2.5L 5M
'67 Impala convertible, 327cid

Wix makes the filters for Napa, or so I've always heard. I'm pretty surprised at the number of Fram backers I've seen here so far. Every Fram filter I've seen cut apart shows how flimsy the inside material really is - I have no idea why they have the reputation that they do. Wix is a much better product. I'm also surprised at the number of people who think Mann is crap. I know little about them, but always heard good things.

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Gil

2004 ML350
1984 300CD; Ivory (sold)

I remember years ago, when I was in a car rally, there was a Ferrari owner who modified his lubrication system. It had a large oil tank (I assume therefore dry sump?), with the oil pushed through a series of filters and his oil system ran on electric pumps.

First thing he did was kick on the oil pumps, then start the car.

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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

The good Wix is the full filter version without a bypass section. I see what your saying about Fram filters. My experience is that some Frams for other makes and models are crap. But this Turkey Fram is the exception and not flimsy at all. It is a well built sturdy filter. In fact when I compared it to a Mann filter where is what I found:

Fram had a larger filtering area (Mann filter eliment is 2 3/8 inches tall vs Fram's element is 2 5/8 inches tall)

Fram had 70 pleats in the element vs 65 pleats for the Mann.

Fram did not have waste cotton gin like the Mann.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

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

Vehicle manufacturers do not generally approve or endorse the use of aftermarket products, including OEM products. They generally recommend OE parts. Why would they recommend or approve anything else?
(I realize that they do approve some aftermarket fluids, etc., probably due to the realization that OE fluids may not be readily available.)

What is the meaning of the term "OEM approved manufacture?"

At the risk of being repetitive, the issue is not so much with the specification as it is with failure to adhere to that specification. By Hengst's own admission, the specification does not permit rocks, dirt, insects, trash, etc., to be present in the filter media. The findings of forum members would tend to discount Hengst's "single event" theory.

Based on the actual "filth" of the material found in the cotton-gin waste filters, I really don't want that circulating through my engine. Its probably better to use clean material that may not (but probably does) filter as well, but doesn't ADD dirt to the oil. Somehow I bet that cotton string stuff in the Frams filters just fine.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

In various industries there are a variety of processes of controls in place to achieve a certain minimum standard. MB today sells parts and cars that have many manufactures that make these parts and they are either OE or OEM.

OEM can be a part made by another that is sold under the MB label. MB specs the part and the parts manufacture makes it to spec and proves it is.

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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

This is a rehash of an argument that is at least 2 or so years old. And, in this case the logic provided by Big Red is really the only logic. The other arguments being presented are based on emotional responses to "discoveries" of what seems to some customers to be filler material in the by-pass section of the filter that is objectionable.

First, MB supplied filters are purchased and distributed based on the specification MB generated, and Big Red published an excerpt from, from MANN, Hengst, Bosch, and others, thus they are called OEM suppliers or manufacturers. The idea is that if they supply to MB per MB's specification, they should be able to market the same product to other filter distributors and still be recognized as suppliers of this product to MB.

To understand why this junk in the filter is not objectionable in and of itself for technical reasons, you have to understand the function of the by-pass filter. That has been explained above, but to reiterate, the flow rate through the by-pass filter is trivial. There is very little differential pressure across the media and the idea is the oil spends some "dwell time" in this volume of filtering media, allowing the particulate material to get caught or just drop out of suspension. The various sized chunks of junk allow for small cavities to form to hold the oil for brief periods, slowing it down and presenting lots of surfaces for oil contaminants to adhere to, while preventing any channels for forming.

A much greater concern is that the oil filter seals along the ID of the filter are correctly sized and retained. If the by-pass filter section is not sealed from the main flow section the by-pass filter sees a much greater differential pressure and the whole by-pass element can collapse. In that case a structural failure may occur and the evil by-pass filter element contents could be dumped into the main flow path leading to the bearings and other smaller, readily clogged flow passages. And in this instance you don't need little bits of grit to cause the engine to fail.

Overall, Big Red has headed this down a path seeking technical answers from the manufacturer concerning the manufacturing/materials selections for these filters that may allow this discussion to be closed. In the end, we can buy whatever filter brands we might want. But we can at least know the technical basis for what we are finding in the by-pass filter media, and then choose to accept it or presume to know what is better. Jim

Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

if it is sold "under the MB label," wouldn't it be an OE part?

It's a pretty safe bet that the CH2930 is a "reboxed" item not actually manufactured by Fram.