Has anybody had any experience with Bosch oil filters? Are they pretty good and do they have a bypass valve in them? These oil filters are new to the local part shop. Previousy, I was using Knect or Mann filters. Shipping and the price of these have severly gone up due to the Euro being worth more than our dollar. Thumbs up or down?

I personnally believe that Bosch is good, along with Mann and K....(forgot name)...


There is an article floating around somewhere in which somebody bought a whole set of like 15 oil filters and cut them all open to find out some real crazy stuff like finding hay and insects as the filtration element!

One thing is for sure though, NEVER BUY A FRAM OIL FILTER!!!!

FRAM SUCKS!

Find that article and read it!

Sorry I lost the link..

K......, that would be Knecht.
If you're buying open, pleated filters, you can pretty much see what you're getting.
The same can not be said for enclosed, canister-style filters.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

thanks for correcting me! It was a Knecht!

I didn't correct you, just filled in the blanks.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

Forgive me, I forgot the "h". German is Greek to me. It appears that you knew what I was talking about. Anyone have the link where they cut open the filters?

Go to the diesel forum and use the search feature......

I've always used "real" Bosch oil filters, but beware. Autozone has "Bosch oil filters", but they are NOT the same as the 72165 Bosch oil filter sold by Mercedes parts specialists like Fastlane for M103 applications. The 72165 has a bypass valve. The M103 "Bosch oil filter" at Autozone does not. I refer to them as "fake Bosch filters". They are apparently a cheap filter with the Bosch name that the Bosch aftermarket organization sells.

Makes it very confusing for car owners. Assuming you have a M103 do not buy any "Bosch filter" other than the 72165, and you can clearly see that is has the built in bypass valve.

Duke

Very unfortunately, I have confirmed that the thread has been "moderated".

Very interesting, I didn't know that I will check to see if AZ has that filter next time I am their. (they sell shop rags and wax real cheap )

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks for the info Duke. You provided the answers that I wanted. I saw the Bosch filters in Fastlane. The price is right, but to get free shipping I would need to purchase around 18 filters. With Mobil 1 changes at 5K, the car is likely to wear out before I go through 18 filters. The local parts store sells them cheaper than Fastlane, and they must be the ones (phoney) that you talk about with no bypass valve. Brian,Why would this post be moderated? Inquiring minds want to know.

I can only tell you that the thread "had turned to crap", and, therefore, it was removed.

MBDoc mentioned what Duke presented in a post a few years ago.

Bosch makes all kinds of parts. Grade A, B; C.

Autozone and others sell the Grade C.

The 72xxx number Duke pointed out is a for real 103 filter, but you may have to look for it if buying locally. Parts shops that specialize in european parts would be a good place to start if you're not interested in buying off the WEB and if you do, be sure it has the number Duke pointed out.

Well, what else do you need, or will you need in the foreseeable future - oil pan plug seal rings, fuel filter and seal rings, air filter, correct Bosch Super non-resistor spark plugs, dist. cap and rotor, brake pads, wiper blades, oil and fuel cap gaskets, hoses...?

If you look ahead to the maintenance parts you'll need in the next 15-30K miles it's not too hard to get the order up to the (IIRC) $100 required for free shipping on a three to six piece oil filter order. I keep a maintenance spares inventory for all my cars that's usually good for the next few years, and if I have to buy something that "broke" I just order more maintenance spares to get the order up to the free shipping value. I've also gone in with other guys to buy parts so we get up to the free shipping minimum.

That way when I decide to do a maintenance job, I don't have to run out and buy parts. I know I've already got what I need, so I can just do the job and finish it without interruption to run out and look for parts or wait for my UPS guy.

Duke

Duke,
I stock up too on parts, have enough for the next 80k. Clear bin that I got from Costco is full of stuff, belts, bearings,brake pads, tune-up parts, bulbs, etc. Just down to the last oil filter. Sometimes, I feel that they got rid of the 190E because it was too cheap to maintain and too reliable.

I wish free shipping would start at $50 on Fastlane.