Figured I would start a new thread on this one. I found this site that offers Baldwin filters. I just ordered (6) Baldwin filters through www.adiesel.com Use the "Baldwin Automotive Catalog" link. 6 filters with shipping was $95.00 Sure its more than most MB filters but I simply refuse to put filters with questionable media in my MB. Until someone can show me that the problem has been corrected I won't buy another Hengst, Mann, Knecht, etc. Baldwin has a very good reputation in the fleet and trucking industry so even if they subcontract out this filter it is likely made to fairly high standards. I can't speak for Associated Diesels service yet but they were close to me, offered online ordering and a decent price with volume discounting. Guess I'm the guinea pig on this one.... RT

__________________
When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

I agree with you on Baldwin's reputation, but has one actually been torn apart?

Just wondering...thanks!

This one was discussed in one of the megathreads and IIRC it is paper? top and bottom but it is divided into main and bypass sections. Unlike the all paper wix 51385 which is not divided, it is a full flow filter.

The Baldwin number is P102, I think.

I am cheap but I came away convinced that the Baldwin is worth the money.

I am referring to filters for the 617.

Edit: In one of those threads someone said the Fram Ch2930 looked good. That filter is made in Hungary. I don't think anyone cut one open to see what is inside. I bought two of them at Pep Boys and they do look good outside.

The NAPA Gold filter is divided into two sections also, or at least it appeared to be. When I change it about First of Dec I will rip apart and see.

__________________
'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

As an additional note - The two sections are divided internally as well. It looks like there would be a good seal to prevent flow from one section to another.

__________________
'85 300D - 206K (sold)
'81 240D - 149K (sold)
'03 Jetta TDI - (sold)
'79 300D - (sold)

RWT,

I have been doing some research on the filter for the 603. Apparently Baldwin purchases it from Champion Labs Luberfiner division.

In further discussions with Luberfiner, it appears that Luberfiner also purchases the filter for both the 603 and the 617 from somebody else! I could not get them to divulge this info.

I have received the limited engineering specification for the Luberfiner filter for both engines. The 617 appears to be a bypass filter with 242 square inches of paper and it has a 20 micron rating. There is even more limited data in the 603 filter. I have requested Champion to go back to the manufacturer for more data and they agreed to attempt to do this.

I am going to buy a case of the filters for the 603 and see what I get.
What is interesting, however, is that the price for each filter will likely be about $11.00. This is significantly less than Baldwin and about $1.00 less than OE. They have confirmed that the filter includes the O-ring and copper sealing washers.

This whole business of oil filters is fraught with murky dealings between "manufacturers" and "distributors". You cannot figure out who the ultimate manufacturer of the filter really is.

If you get a case of 617 filters also, I will buy a few.

I'm going to firm up the pricing for both the 603 and the 617. Then I'll post the name of the distributor, the p/n, and the price. You'll be able to purchase them direct. I also need to verify that they will go with a quantity of six and not 12.

A couple of days...........

I'm more concerned about the durability of an oil filter than what's inside. Somebody reported that Fram has "clean" filter media inside, but it happened to me once that a Fram filter had partially disintegrated after a few thousand miles. I've used Hengst ever since and I've never seen any disintegration.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Are you buying a case of Baldwins or Champion/Lubifiner? Excellent legwork on this Thank you.

__________________
'85 300D - 206K (sold)
'81 240D - 149K (sold)
'03 Jetta TDI - (sold)
'79 300D - (sold)

Brian all of the 603 filters look the same and seem to be built the similer. I bet they come from two factories one in India and one in Europe. Good detective work though.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

We can buy a quantity of six filters for the 603 or the 617. These are sold by Champion under their "Luberfiner" division, however, they are purchased from somebody else.

These are the same filters that Baldwin purchases.

The local distributor is:

All System Brake
Telephone: 631-491-4000
Contact name: Joe

Part numbers:

603: P829
617: P825

Pricing:

603: $12.47 plus shipping (you must purchase six)
617: $12.42 plus shipping (you must purchase six)

Could not get the pricing down into the $11.00 range because of insufficient quantity.

You might be able to get similar pricing from a local distributor of Luberfiner if you can find one. It's not easy.

This whole business of oil filters is fraught with murky dealings between "manufacturers" and "distributors". You cannot figure out who the ultimate manufacturer of the filter really is. "
Well said, Brian! The truth is no one in the parts business wants to let proprietary source info out for some reason. Is no one proud of the manufacturer, the place that assembles the filters, or do they even know or want to know?
OK all the philosophical stuff aside, thanks for the work finding someone that sells them, $11 or $12 is reasonable to me, I'll probably buy 6 unless I find a local distributor. I am certain on one thing though, I'll not use Hengst, Mann or OE filters ever again! Thanks to the ShopForum
Dieseldiehard
1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 295530
1983 300D 243280
1985 300TD 217300
1987 300D 258230

__________________
'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

The deal is that when you find out who the manufacturer is, you will just go and buy the filter from them. That's exactly what we just did to Baldwin.

Unfortunately, we need to find out who makes the filter for Champion. No success on this.

I am still not convenced that the "Luberfiner" filters are any better then the German makes for the 603. I want to see one cut open, so far the oe one I cut apart looked the best.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200