I use made in USA Baldwin filters. They are a dual paper element style filter and have the best filtration of most any available filter for these engines. They are pricey but still cheaper than the dealer filter.

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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)

Who are you buying them from; and how much?

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I've been using the Bosch brand filters sold here and in all the online catalogs for years, almost exclusively, in all of my M-Bs. I've been the most satisfied with their fit in the canister and with the proper assortment of replacement gaskets and washers that come in the package, moreso than any of the other brands. For a while there I kept getting Hengsts instead of Bosches and it just wasn't worth returning them to exchange -- I'm assuming the people at the parts warehouse just decided to send an equivalent. Trouble is, the large o-ring/gasket they send to seal the filter canister doesn't work as well as the ones Bosch uses. Have to tighten down further (bolt studs in danger) and still more prone to leaks at the filter top. Using the Bosch filters and Bosch-supplied filter lid o-rings, I *never* have that problem.

If Bosches are full of twigs and bark and bugs, then I'll supply all 3 of my engines for dissection to the most interested forum scientist at the end of the road. It just doesn't bother me even if that stuff IS in there, as long as it STAYS in the filter and doesn't run through the engine. And I think after 5 years of running them in the 300SDL which sees (usually) over 3 oil changes per year, I would have plugged up the oil intake screen or done some noticeable damage if that stuff was creeping out of the filters into my oil flow.

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

I thought Wix made Napa filters?

Yup, at least when I worked for them a couple years ago

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Below is what I came up with at the NAPA website. They have apparently changed the filters they carry for an 84 300D.
About 2 years ago the sold the WIX Filter, and the MANN filter.
Some time last year they replace the man with Purolator but still had the WIX Filter.

Now it appears they are stocking BOSCH as well is the others that I cannot identify.
http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Results.aspx?Ntt=oil%20filter&Ntk=Keyword&N=599001+101984+50044+2044063

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel