They may all be the same, but I am wondering. Went today to get a filter for my moms 88 Mercedes. I have always purchased my Mercedes filters at the local dealership (its a Mercedes AND BMW dealer). Today there was some guy there that seemed totally clueless. He didnt even know what engine a 300SEL had. He had went around the corner to a computer where I could not see him and he asked me if it was a 3.5L or a 4.3L... I am like, what the heck?! I told him it was a 3.0L inline 6. He punched more on the computer, got up walked toward the back, mumbling, "I dont think its a 3.0". Another guy behind the counter told him it was a spin on filter and to give me (and he said some part #). The man came back out and asked me if I minded using a BMW filter and I said no, as long as it works, but I am wondering will this filter be OK for our Mercedes? The filter he gave me looks longer than the Mercedes filter thats on there. It says made in Austria (and I think the Mercedes filter was too, (may have been Spain), but they may be the same manufacturer. I dont know. I wanted to be sure though that this filter would be OK for the M103 engine. Oh, get this... when I last bought a MB filter, it was $7.00... this time he came and said, the BMW filter is cheaper anyway... then charged me $16.01!

I wouldn't use it.. the threads might be different

I think you'd be hard pressed to find an internet parts supplier that wasn't way better than these folks.

there is a website out there that sells filters for german cars and german cars only. You can buy the stuff by the case and save a lot of money

Thanks. Well I had stopped there because I was going by there anyway and I thought I could pick up the MB filter for $8.00 (which is what it was 6 months ago when I stopped there) and not have to deal with going on the internet, having it shipped, etc. Apparently there are morons at the parts department now at our local MB dealer that likes to give BMW oil filters for older Mercedes cars, then charge $16. for them. Some other guy in the back said it would work that someone else used those BMW filters on Mercedes, so I dont know.

Lame.... Whenever I order parts offline I always toss in an oil or fuel filter.

Talk about total incompetence. I would be embarrassed if I had to work there! I would avoid this dealer in the future and return the filter and get the correct one elsewhere.

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1989 300CE

Yeah, I know... it was really crazy he thought the 300SEL had a 3.5 or a 4.3L. Then in a cross kinda way he said "next time you need a part and you dont have the car, it would be a good idea to have the VIN #". Are their computer systems that old that they cant pull up a part # for an oil filter for a 88 Mercedes.

Bad part is this is the only MB dealer within 120 miles. This one is 20 miles away... next one is 120 miles. Guess I will order on online and take this one back next time I am down that way.

I have never seen a MB and a BMW stealership...er....dealership in the same building...I thought they were competitors and "not" allowed to sell each others cars/parts? Or at least have seperate buildings...seperate parts departments.

Ours is weird... there is a BMW building for sales/service and a Mercedes building for sales/service... they share the same parking lot and owned by the same person (Rick Hill)... strange thing is that the Mercedes "parts department" is over in the BMW building. I found that out the first time I went for a key for my old '85 Mercedes... I went in the Mercedes building and asked where the Mercedes parts department was and he exclaimed it was over in the BMW building.

and here is a pic of the filter he sold me... its still on the back seat of my Lincoln...
(wasnt even in a package!!!)





That man is causing confusion and delay....

If it is that pressing just go buy a filter at your local auto parts store.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I have read though where many say they are not as good because some kind of anti-drain back valve?

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=70745

look at this post. i always thought the mb filter could be used in place of the bmw, but not vice-versa. good luck, chuck.

BMW,Mercedes and BUICK(?) parts and service ALL in the same bldg.
(YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE VERY,VERY CAREFUL BUYING MB parts from some
case hardened 25 year GM Parts Guy!!!!!!!)
I've actually seen,through the shop garage doors,Buick Techs working on MB s.
[These are Techs,who I know, have no other training than Buick]

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

I've always used german made oil filters in my 300se , except once. Normally I change my own oil and when I remove the "upside down" filter the oil stays in it and does not run out all over the engine.

The one time I didn't do it I was on vacation. I hadn't changed the oil before we left and I still had over a 1,000 miles of driving to go before we got back home. I didn't want to delay the change until I got back so I took it to the local Jiffy-Lube. They had the 15w-40 diesel oil I prefer and the correct Fram filter, so happy, happy, joy joy.

When I did the next change oil started runiing out of the Fram filter as soon as it was loose. What a mess!

I think Phil has Mann brand (german made) for less than $7.00. Hard to go wrong with that!

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2000 Mercedes S500
1990 Mercedes 560SEL
1970 Triumph Spitfire