I won't run the Mann or the other filters that had sand and bug carcasses falling out of them. For the record, I don't care about using cotton field mowings as filtration media, I care that it was falling out of the filter. Lots of engines have run those filters without issue so I'm likely avoiding nothing, but I'm still avoiding it. I run Baldwin P102 or Hastings LF380, and change oil and filter at least every 5k miles.

That's it, that's the end of my caring about oil and filters. Those steps will make it so oil cleanliness issues are not the bottleneck to lifespan for this motor. It'll be something else that takes this engine out of service.

Could I do better with regards to oil? Absolutely. Would I get a better return on my investment putting that effort into some other part of the engine or vehicle? Absolutely.

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617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

but wait, there CAN be more
what about a really good magnet for the drain plug or pan
https://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=D66SH

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1985 300TD 1981 Scirocco 1.6D conv 1986 Golf 1.6D 2003 Golf TDI

The Baldwin P102 or Hastings LF380 are actually made by the same company yet the Baldwin Hastings LF380 in the past could be had at less cost.

I understand the personal preference stuff. In my neighborhood I occasionally see people detailing their Cars to the extent they are on their knees with a toothbrush on the Rims.
My cars are lucky if I host them off occasionally to get rid of the loose dust. Washing Cars has never interested me (status symbols in general don't interest me). Vehicles are mostly just transportation to me.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I run whichever Baldwin or Hastings costs less when I go to buy filters. Definitely don't get out the toothbrush for anything vehicle related.

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617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

I use Mercedes dealer supplied filters. Usually Hengst over here in the UK. I like the logo on everything including my battery and the car's never run better!

I also use a magnetic oil drain plug that Kent sells. So far, found nothing on it!

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Why I will never do business with "DieselKraut" again

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-used-parts-sale-wanted/378935-why-i-will-never-do-business-dieselkraut-again.html

I bought 7 different filters once just to try them out. It’s sorta like going to the wine store for a mixed case.

...the car didn’t care btw.

Mann makes a great filter. See the video on YouTube as to why NOT to buy many other filters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AajTItBn148

The bugger is that without driving the cars in similar conditions and doing a Oil Analysis you really don't know which filter does a better job then the others.

I am not curious enough to spend money on an oil analysis.

You can run your Engine without an Oil Filter and you won't know till years later if it causes an issue or not.

I am not on my other computer that has my Notes so I cannot post the link.

Deliveryvalve posted a thread on what micron level some of the companies filter went down to on (617.952 only)
This is for the full flow section of the filter?
What I can remember is Wix was the worst at 35 microns

Of the similarly made euro type filters if I remember correctly Mann was 22 microns.

In the full flow section the Baldwin/Hastings had 18 micrions.

None of the companies that make the Euro Type filters have any idea what the upper bypass portion of their filters filter to. The Wix filter is just all paper pleated element. the Baldwin/Hasting upper half they said is 15 micrions.

I found the filters in the link on eBay. They are Mann Filters in a CAM-2 boxes. Most interesting is that these Mann Filters have the Mercedes Part number and the Mercedes Star (indicateing they were orginal equipment) on them as well as the Mann number.
CAM 2 Oil Filters For Mercedes and besides Ebay where do you buy them?

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel