Oil filter pricing

I've been using Mann filters in my CooperS, but today the price was $26.99 ea. So, when I got home I went to the Autozone site to see other prices. They sell a Fram for $24.99 and an STP for $7.49. What gives with that large a difference in pricing. I assume if I cut both open I would notice some construction differences, but how much difference in performance can there be between the two?

If the tests on certain oil forums are anything to go by, a fair amount...

Everyone who uses From filters needs an engine rebuild almost immediately. They're so bad, no one uses them.

That's what the internet forums say.

The amount of filtering media inside, the quality of the media (micron capture and ability to flow), and materials construction ( steel internals versus cardboard, etc). Buy a few filters and cut them open, the differences are very apparent.

BTW, NAPA sells MANN and Mahle filters in their Altrom line, usually for less than the Gold (Wix).

. I buy the official honda filters for $7.

Datsun310Guy wrote: . I buy the official honda filters for $7.

+1

I buy genuine Toyota filters direct from whatever dealer is selling them on eBay or Amazon. Last time, I got a 3-pack + drain plug washers for around $21.

I tend to buy Puralator One filters on Amazon...usually get here in 2 days, no shipping/sales tax, and they are the same price as the crappy filters in local stores. I started to read stuff on BITOG forums, but I picked something they recommended that was easy to find and left it at that.

I haven't checked the price at the MINI dealer. Maybe I should , since I drive right past it to go to the import auto parts place to get the Mann filters anyway.

we use mann filters on most german cars just for peice of mind, the purolater version is usually a few dollars cheaper. The bulk filters we stock are penzoil.

Wow no one has posted a link to "bobs the oil guy" site... All brands of filters tested and cut open.

Never mind I just did and it now chat room crap no main post with all the filters with a tutorial on the construction and why type that there used to be.

Kramer wrote: Everyone who uses From filters needs an engine rebuild almost immediately. They're so bad, no one uses them. That's what the internet forums say.

I don't use them now (I kind of believe the hype, and now I have cars that cost enough that a few extra bucks is worth peace of mind).

That said, my 1987 Integra was still running strong at 230,000 miles when I sold it. I used Fram filters and "whatever oil was on sale for the cheapest".....poor college-student-style.

Javelin wrote: BTW, NAPA sells MANN and Mahle filters in their Altrom line, usually for less than the Gold (Wix).

Altrom = OEM.

I use Mobil 1 or Bosch filters, not because I don't trust other brands. But because I like the quality of those filters and with only doing 2 maybe 3 changes per year I'm not worried about the couple bucks more those are than wix or purolator.

Most Advance stores stock Mann filters for a lot of common imports, they're fairly inexpensive.

Pelican Parts. $9.50. I swear by them. For what its worth I prefer Mahle for my E36 but really you cant go wrong with any of the ones listed. http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/6323/MIN_6323_BASFLT_pg2.htm#item7

44Dwarf wrote: Wow no one has posted a link to "bobs the oil guy" site... All brands of filters tested and cut open.

Here is the original study: http://wetwesties1.tripod.com/oilfilterstudy/

Basically, Fram uses glued cardboard end caps instead of steel, which is kind of sketchy. The bypass valves are also typically poorly-molded plastic and don't seal right. Fram manufactures Pennzoil filters too so they have the same issue.

spandak wrote: Pelican Parts. $9.50. I swear by them. For what its worth I prefer Mahle for my E36 but really you cant go wrong with any of the ones listed. http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/6323/MIN_6323_BASFLT_pg2.htm#item7

My $27 Mann filter is less than 10 bucks from Pelican. Duh. Guess where I'll buy from next time?

I was going to say, My BMW filters were less than $10. That seemed really expensive.

O riley house brand filters are made by wix now. Look for the ones with out sticker changing part number. I use wix in everything I want to keep.

The BMW dealer sells them for $12 with new o-rings and crush washers.

Its Denso, Wix(NAPA gold), or Purolator for me.

Seems everyone on the interwebz hates Fram. I've used them in the past but don't currently have them on any of my vehicles.

For what it's worth, several years ago Consumer Reports tested oil filters. IIRC, they installed them on NYC taxis & used them for 150K or so with regular maintainance, then tore down the motors & measured clearances etc. Fram filters faired pretty well in the test, maybe the best.

Most OEM filters are so inexpensive I just use them. Never had a problem.

The premium CarQuest filters are also Wix, or at least they were years ago.

moparman76_69 wrote: The premium CarQuest filters are also Wix, or at least they were years ago.

They still are, I've used a few. I've personally gone over to the Bosche distance plus on my own cars. Before that I had used fram on everything for hundreds of thousands of miles, never an issue. But for the last few years of fram use I had stepped up to the TG line with conventional oil, and the XG with synthetic. I cant remember the last time I used a plain orange fram.