I have read a couple of those long threads on oil filters, cotton waste, twine, etc...

I read into it so much that I'm not really sure what in the heck I read? So, can anyone give a definitive answer on the best filter to use from local sources?

It looks like the Baldwin P102 is "the nuts", but I don't have time to hunt around and find one. This is my only day off this week and I need to change the oil NOW. The filter will probably have to come from Advance, Auto Zone or NAPA as I live in the middle of no where.

From what I have read, it looks like the Fram or the Mahle have a good enough micron rating and the NAPA (wix) is out of there. Is this correct? Is there a specific part # I should be looking for on the Fram or Mahle?

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

What is the meaning of "out of there?"

Despite all the discussions, I don't think there is a huge difference between the name-brand filters. It's more important that you actually change your oil than worry about subtle difference between filter brands. Personally, I would buy the Mahle if that's whats available locally.

Most of what is stated in the HUGE debates is personal preference.

I'm sure there are subtle differences between filters but I also don't know of anyone that has wrecked an engine for using a Fram filter versus a Mahle versus a stealer filter. In my opinion in is not that big of a deal as long as you change it and the oil when you are supposed to. If I wanted to be 100% confident I was using a good (perhaps not best, but good) filter I would buy one from the stealer. But I don't like paying 3-4x's for a mark-up so I usually buy Mahle's or Mann's off of Ebay. I can't tell any difference other than the stamp from the filters from the stealer and the one's I get off of Ebay.

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2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

Buying online give you a better choice of filters. You can get the Bosch, Mahle or Mann filters. Unless you plan to go on a trip right away I would just order several Filters Online and wait to change the Oil.

Out here in CA Autozone carried STP brand Oil Filters and Pep Boys sells Purolator and Fram. Both the STP and the Purolator are the same filter; made in India and the central tube in the bypass section is free floating and not attaced to anything.

Unfortunately NAPA used to sell the Real Mann Filters as well as the WIX but they have substituted the India Made filter for the Mann.

Orillie's sells Fram.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Are there folks who "prefer" that their filter contain dead insects, twigs, stones and sand?

If so, a filter made in India should put a smile on your face. (Which is not to say that those "qualities" are exclusive to Indian filters.)

See what you started?

Personal preference aside, I was shocked to find that the most of the Oil Filter companies have no idea the Micron rating of the bypass section of their Mercedes filters (for 617 Engines).
As far as wrecking Engine goes I bought a 53 Chevy Pick up in 1968 and it had no Oil Filter at all. Driving it with no Oil Filter did not wreck the Engine but I bet it shortened the life of the Engine (I still own it and it has be rebuilt twice). (I change the Oil ever 6 months.)
That is what is insidious about an Oil Filter like the Wix; that of the bunch allows the largest particles to pass through it.
It will not wreck your Engine but continued use would shorten the life of the Engine compared to some of the other Oil Filters.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Micron rating on an oil filter is not really of any importance. Diesel engine oil (you ARE using a DIESEL engine oil, RIGHT?) is designed to hold particulates in suspension. Plus, there should be nothing in your oil stream that isn't oil. If you have "chunks" in there, either you have a VERY unhealthy engine, or your oil change procedure is sloppy i.e. you introduced dirt or other contaminants when you poured the new oil in.

Remember that the VW beetle had no oil filter at all. Changing your oil ON TIME is far far far more important than the brand of filter you use. That said, I would avoid Fram, because that brand uses cardboard as part of its internal construction. Yes, cardboard. There is a cardboard membrane inside a Fram oil filter that is all that sits between the "clean" and "dirty" sides of the filter!! I've cut open more than a few fram oil filters where this cardboard had disintegrated completely, so this oil filter actually wasn't doing any filtering AT ALL!

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'98 E300 turbodiesel

I definitely prefer a filter made in north america or europe, for sure. Do you have any links that show evidence of these fouled indian filters? This is the first I've heard of it.

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'98 E300 turbodiesel

There are some nice big long oil filter threads with pictures of the different filter brands taken apart showing the cotton, sticks, bugs etc.....

do a search, hours of enjoyable reading


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Autozone only had STP for the 603 last I checked, it doesn't look very well made. Advance Auto had a better looking filter, Wix or Purolator, which seemed like a good local choice for me (no dealer) last time I was in the middle of a change with no filter.

The bugs & twigs thing, yeah I'd rather have virgin angola wool. However as it appears, this section (the bypass) is designed more to remove small particulates and then it flows through the full-flow section, ... which would catch any large particles that come from a failure of the bypass section. Correct me if I'm wrong on the flow direction.

I don't think that I'd choose the cheapo-crappy one, but it's pretty hard to find Mahle in a small town when you're ready to change the oil so the ones with two paper sections and metal cases are okay with me regardless of whether it's actually German. I order the OE ones when I can.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Yes, if they use filters that contain those things, then I guess it is easy to say they prefer it. Wouldn't you say that? Do you prefer the things you use? Do you prefer to have a salami sandwich for lunch instead of having a steak every day for lunch (or what ever one eats for lunch instead of their favorite food every day)?

Don't take what I said out of context please. I stated there are differences but I also stated I have yet to see someone ruin an engine for using a 'twig' filter when the engine could have been saved by using a 'non-twig' filter.

Thus, why I stated most of this is personal preference.

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2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

Ok....... All I found locally was the STP and Puro. A local small time shop had the Wix. This one says made in USA on it. But, it is the one with the high micron rating. So, I guess I will just use this one and use a shorter change interval.

I obviously need to buy all the stuff online and start stockpiling it like everyone else.

Sorry about starting an "oil thread", I hate them too, which is exactly the reason for this one. Thanks for the info.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

Glad you found something to allow you to change your oil. Personally, I don't get too excited about this but I do try to use decent quality filters. I usually order them from here (usually when I'm ordering other stuff), pick one up from my indy (if I happen to be there), or stop buy the dealer (I try to go there often enough so they remember me when I need something expensive, or in a hurry).