"Fake" Bosch oil filters???
 

Autozone carries some Bosch oil filters, and I think the number for the M103 is 3251, but they are not the same as the Bosch 72165 filters that I have been using for several years.

Though it appears that these "fake" Bosch filters from Autozone will fit and function, they DO NOT have the center valve that the 72165 has, and I believe this is the bypass valve. The Autozone filter does have the rubber diaphragm around the outside holes (inlet) that functions as an antidrain back valve.

I'm wondering how Bosch can put their name on a filter that is not engineered to OE spec. Anyone have a take on this.

BTW, Fastlane sells the "real" 72165 for about four-and-a-half bucks, which is less expensive than the Autozone "fake". I just did my first parts order with them and am very impressed with the pricing and service.

Duke

Bosch has been putting their name on aftermarket "low quality" oil & air filters for many years!

They don't make their own oil & air filters at all. I believe they buy from Champion labs in N.C. & from Asia

I once ordered bosch filters from fastlane just to see how they compared to the usual filters and they too were made somewhere in the US. As I remeber, it was a black filter that had a bosch sticker on it.