W124 New Replacement Oil Filter, smaller, better?
 

got an oem replacement oil filter from my local
dealership. was surprised to be handed a smaller
filter. part no. 102-184-01-01 has been replaced
by 102-184-05-01. filter is smaller, hopefully better!

I had the same thing a few weeks ago from the local Mercedes dealer. A smaller filter. Apparently this filter replaces the previous part number.
In my mind, a smaller filter has a smaller filtering area so I'm not sure it is actually better.
And it,s $1.85CAN more expensive than the previous model. You get less filter for more money. That's what Mercedes call ''improvement'' (for them.
JackD

I've been buying my parts from Caliber motors in California and they usually send Mann oil filters for my '91 300E. I just switched to a mail order source and had a choice between Knecht or Bosch oil filters. I decided to get one of each to compare them. The Bosch seems bigger than either the Knecht or the Mann.

The part sold by MB changed back last spring I guess it was. It's shorter and is a dark blue color. The filter also requires a different part number filter wrench, if you're "in" to using filter wrenches. Really odd notched profile on the top, rather than the flat spots.

Gilly

good advice gilly. so i need to buy yet another
filter wrench!

Toyota did the same thing some years ago with their 4-cyl 22-R engine. Originally it came with a monsterous sized oil filter. In the late 80's it shrunk quite noticeably. Never had a problem with the smaller filter - 300,000 miles and still purring.

The new "OE" dealer filter is a CHEAP part from France (Purflux). Doubt that MB even cares about quality as they NEVER have used such a "filter" before. BUY the OE filter from the "aftermarket" in the OE quality; Knecht, Hengst, or Mann.
That filter isn't worth $5 let alone the $10.50 that is suggested retail.

M B DOC:
What would the reasoning be for Mercedes to switch to selling what you feel to be such a cheap filter, any thoughts? I really can't think of a reason for them to switch. Well, maybe a few; more profit? Couldn't they "adjust" the price of the better filter to the same profit level? Not trying to be argumentative, it just baffles me why they would make a switch.

Gilly

(Maybe they just want to sell lot's of these expensive filter wrenches ;) )

I'm not a mechanic but I can give a good but untested hypothesis.
Hypothesis #1. A larger oil filter on startup takes longer to pressurize than a smaller oil filter. Try blowing a baloon and blowing a hot air balloon with your mouth. (Don't try the latter)
Hypothesis #2. More filtering area does mean cleaner oil but I suspect that less filtering area is not a problem if you are doing 3k mile oil changes. Remember, that current oil filters are designed for 7500 miles.
Hypothesis #3. Small filter takes less of the pressure away from the engine while accelerating.

Cost aside. MB doesnt change something for no reason. Why would MB keep the SL R129 for 12 years. I hypothesize that MB saw these 300Es began to have tired oil pumps and to pressurize the engine oil's faster, they used smaller oil filters. Since, 300E's recommended oil is 20W50, they didn't have any room for using less viscosity. Probably, they couldnt make owners want to be putting in synthetic oil in an 1qt/1000 mile consuming engine. On my next oil change, Ill try the new filter out and post my comments. Can anyone post the pics of this new oil filter outside and looking through the bottom.

Although I've had filters where it didn't seem to work, these filters are supposed to have a check valve to prevent the oil from draiing out of them. If that's the case, then filter size shouldn't matter so far as time to reach max oil pressure.

If anyone cares to cut open one of the old black filters they could measure the width and length of the element inside and I would be willing to do the same to a new blue filter, we could then compare the area of the filter medium.

Gilly

think those new silly little filters fit any chysler motors?


the man never sleeps

Hello,
This filter is a Peugeot/Renault part. I speculate that this part is being used by Mercedes Benz to conform to some EU requirement.
Just my 0.2 cents

Can someone ask the company about this?
 

Surely there is someone at the Hq. of the US affiliate that would be willing to say why this change was made. Or perhaps they have told their dealers the reason, and one of their dealers might inform someone on this list.

Mike

Just cheaper for MB! Also they signed a contract with Purflux for filters for other European engines. No design change as ALL of the oil filters have a special check vavle to hold oil over night.
IN europe they still use the NORMAL filter 102-184-01-01