Which Oil Filter is best?

Benzmac (and any others who have an opinion,)

Is there a recommended or preferred oil filter for Mercedes vehicles (or any vehicles for that matter?)

I have an 88' 190E 2.3 so I have the advantage of having a spin-on which makes life easy (except I can't seem to get the filter off without removing the air cleaner housing.)

I have used Fram, K&N, Wix, Purolator, and there doesn't seem to be much difference in cleanliness of the oil coming out of the pan when I change oil. I have not tried Mercedes OEM flters.

I change the oil (or try to) every 3000 miles, and use conventional (non-synthetic) oil. The car has 127,000 miles on it, and consumes a bit of oil, hence my choice not to use synthetics oils.

Opinions?

[PThiringer]

Good question! I'm very interested in the answers myself, as I just bought a Topsider to change the oil in my 300E. On a previous post, someone put a link to a research study that says Fram is crap. But that seems to be the only brand I can find easily...

[Aaron]

I basically trust only the filters that Mercedes puts their name on. Those being Mann, Mahle, Knecht, and Hengst. Depending on filter type, it might be any of those brands.

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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'79 6.9
'79 6.9
'80 300SD
'81 240D
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8

[Benzmac]

I'm with Aaron. I'd use the OE manufacturers only.

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Benzmac:
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM



[This message has been edited by Benzmac (edited 09-27-1999).]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your input. The filters from the Mercedes Benz dealership are really not that much more expensive than the local parts shop brands (about $7 or $8 versus $3 or $4.) All things considered, a few dollars is a small price to pay for something as important as filtration of the engine lubricating oil, and next change, I'll probably choose OEM.

However, I am curious. Is your recommendation based on the fact that it is an OEM part with the MB Star, and hence made specifically for the car, or are the OEM filters actually made better than their counterpart brands, i.e. filtration capacity or filtration efficiency, burst strength, internal check valve, O-rings vs. gaskets, etc? Have you had a bad experience with other brands?

This is not a challenge to your responses, rather just curiosity.

[Michael]

I'm all for OEM; they are all I'll ever use. I've seen demos of filters that had been cut in half, and it's pretty clear how there can be a difference of about $5.00 for an oil filter...there are a lot of corners that can be cut, and I think the Frams of the world cut them in order to make money on an already inexpensive item.



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Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

[be459]

Some auto part stores do carry the OEM filters with low prices. I paid $4.75 for the spin-on fuel filter (617 engine). I paid $15 for the air filter (for 603 engine, dealer listed $28). There are all OEM stuff. You just have to shop around. The internet seems to give you a better price.

David

Somewhere years ago I read a very indepth article on oil filters, where some lab tested all the ones on the market, I am sure that with enough looking around, somewhere on the net you can find it.

When I did my first oil change last week, ( I bought a case of oil filters from the dealer, OEM) I noticed that when the filter paper was rolled over and glued to gether, that there was excess wax or glue in the final pleat. I just removed this with my finger and a small screwdriver. Not that it might do any harm, but you never know, I would not want something like that flowing around my engine. However, it also could melt with the first heat up of the new oil. But if that was true, the whole filter would come apart wouldn't it.?

I checked all the filters, they bwhere all like that.

A defect?, I dont think so, but maybe a small (underline small) finger can be pointed at quality control

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Chris Ecklund
98 300 DT