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  #1  
Old 12-20-2003, 04:04 PM
Jim Dandy's Avatar
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Question Wix 51398 Oil Filter in 420 SEL?

I'm a pretty green Mercedes owner and apart from the initial inspection and service at my friendly independent shop, I'm planning on performing some of the minor maintenance items myself. At any rate, I've always used Wix filters on my vehicles and being a creature of habit, I'd like to keep using them if it's an acceptable part for my car. I asked the shop and they didn't have a strong opinion, but they did let me know that their own preference was for the Mann filters (they told me where I could get them at their cost).

What say you all? Is the Wix good to use, or am I money and time ahead to stick with the factory items?

<--- Wix 51398

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  #2  
Old 12-20-2003, 06:23 PM
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Location: visalia ca
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for almost the same cost, why would you want to use
something inferior? wix are good filters but not up to
what the dealer uses. stick with the original which is mann,
hengst or mahle. mann being the common one.

george
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  #3  
Old 12-20-2003, 06:35 PM
ILUVMILS's Avatar
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Using a cheap replacement filter is better than not replacing it at all!
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  #4  
Old 12-20-2003, 09:50 PM
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Quote:
for almost the same cost, why would you want to use something inferior?
Okay, why is Wix inferior?
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  #5  
Old 12-20-2003, 11:00 PM
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because i've read a lot of posts that came to that conclusion.
and no i don't have the info now to back it up. you asked
and i opined. i would put wix just below the genuine ones
wix is a good replacement if you can't get mann filters.

george
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  #6  
Old 12-20-2003, 11:48 PM
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Quote:
because i've read a lot of posts that came to that conclusion.


Okay, does ANYBODY have any PROVEN SCIENTIFIC or ENGINEERING data as to why Wix filters suck in a Mercedes application? I used to "hear" and "read" lots of things about Santa Claus, The Tooth Fairy, and The Easter Bunny.

Let me reiterate, does ANYONE have ANY ACTUAL DATA?

Let me add that the parts store where I buy my "regular" auto parts is also an auto repair shop and machine shop. Besides selling parts, they also repair automobiles and their customers include a few local municipalities. They are NOT a crappy NAPA shop, but an independent father and son operation heavily involved in racing. They also recommended the independent M-B shop where I take my car.

When I asked the shop where I take my car, their response was, "Wix makes a good filter, but we use Mann. If you want, so-and-so can sell you a Mann filter for our price, or we could probably help you out, but Wix is just fine."

Last edited by Jim Dandy; 12-20-2003 at 11:57 PM.
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  #7  
Old 12-20-2003, 11:53 PM
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you've turned this into a pissing match. nowhere did i say
they sucked.
i'm done.

george
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  #8  
Old 12-21-2003, 12:01 AM
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Quote:
you've turned this into a pissing match. nowhere did i say they sucked. i'm done.
Your post most certainly stated that they were "inferior." Are you so sensitive that you can't respond to an argument or question?
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  #9  
Old 12-21-2003, 12:01 AM
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JD, there's a current thread on the forum about a problem a member had with a Fram filter. Not a Wix but not an OE filter either.

In the absence of facts, the common feeling around here is that an MB engine is not worth the risk of an untested filter. Mann, Hengst, Mahle and Knecht filters are all known to keep MB engines happy. I couldn't tell you what's in any of my MBs at this moment but I know it's one of those brands.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
83 300SD ... $950, see cars forum
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  #10  
Old 12-21-2003, 12:05 AM
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Quote:
In the absence of facts, the common feeling around here is that an MB engine is not worth the risk of an untested filter. Mann, Hengst, Mahle and Knecht filters are all known to keep MB engines happy. I couldn't tell you what's in any of my MBs at this moment but I know it's one of those brands.
Thanks for the response, but is there any particular reason WHY a Wix filter is unsuitable? Don't try and compare Fram with Wix (other thread). There are big differences in construction and function.

Last edited by Jim Dandy; 12-21-2003 at 12:11 AM.
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  #11  
Old 12-21-2003, 12:23 AM
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I fold

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
83 300SD ... $950, see cars forum
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  #12  
Old 12-21-2003, 12:24 AM
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need to read

if you can get the spec cheet for the MBZ filter for the WIX and they match up for rated flow, pressures, and efficiency (usually a beta ratio) and the WIX looks comprable, I would have no problems using WIX or any other brand if the build quality looked good. luckily with these canister type filters build quality is much easier to determine. if you doubt anything, cut the OEM and other one open and look. some manufacturers have a nasty habit of giving you a cross reference filter that fits the hole, but isn't up to spec.

if you do the homework, you can use any part with confidence.

the "OEM" only crowd are the same shoppers who buy "Alleve" ot "Advil" because the brand name is "better", when any pharmacist will tell you that the stuff is identical to the 1/3 price generic. They think feel better than we do, and the spend a bit more. But we know the truth. Giggle giggle chuckle chuckle.
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  #13  
Old 12-21-2003, 12:24 AM
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I just did my first oil change on my newly acquired 84 240D. The filter in it turned out to be a Wix #51385 (which is what Wix specifies for that model). This filter looked kinda like your filter, only longer. The problem is, it isn't supposed to be shaped like that. It was missing the built in bypass section which the proper MB filter should have. That certainly makes it junque in my book.

While I can't speak about the Wix filter vs the OEM filter for your particular engine, the one in my car was absolutely substandard for my diesel engine. It looks like maybe Wix takes the "one size fits all" approach to certain filters.
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Last edited by Palangi; 12-21-2003 at 12:46 AM.
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  #14  
Old 12-21-2003, 12:29 AM
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exactly

just cause it fits don't mean it should be done.

it isn't a "junk filter" - and the engineers at WIX should kick you in the junk for saying that, but they would not argue that it is mis-applied, and the marketing dork should not cross reference it like that.
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  #15  
Old 12-21-2003, 12:30 AM
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Quote:
if you can get the spec cheet for the MBZ filter for the WIX and they maych up for rated flow, pressures, and efficiency (usually a beta ratio) and the WIX looks comprable, I would have no problems using WIX or any other brand if the build quality looked good. luckily with these canister type filters build quality is much easier to determine. if you doubt anything, cut the OEM and other one open and look. some manufacturers have a nasty habit of giving you a cross reference filter that fits the hole, but isn't up to spec.
Finally, a voice of reason. I became a fan of Wix over a little Mazda B2200 commuter vehicle. Mazda changed the specification on oil filters requiring TWO anti-drainback valves vice one. Fram and all of the other filter manufacturers/sellers adhered to the "old" specification instead of updating their product. Wix changed theirs.

The shop where I take my 420 SEL couldn't even give me a good reason aside from their M-B parts suppliers give them better discounts on Mann filters over other brands.

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