follow up - I went back to the auto parts chain store to "advance" my theory. Looked at the filters, and found that rascal, and it was in a "Pure O Later" box. Now I like that firm, they make their own good filters, and they rebrand some MANN filters which I use on my Land Rover (the only vehicle known that can hold its own in an oil leak contest with a W124). So I guess that while we may respect some brands, the bean counterz run everything with sharp pencil focused on costs. Moral - "LISA" (Look InSide Always).

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91 300 TE 235K
93 Cabriolet 155K sold
92 300 TE 200K boneyard