pete917

Whats the difference between Porsche and Mahle OC54 Oil Filters. I hear different stories of which is better. Does anyone know for sure wich is best and why? Many thanks.

ron mcatee

I think the Mahle is a little bigger, but not by much. The Porsche filter is also a little more expensive. Either filter does the same job as they have the correct bypass pressure spring built in. I always recommend either of those. I do not recommend any filter other than those two, even though others may be good, i don't want to take a chance.

pete917

Is the build and filtering quality the same then?

ron mcatee

I think so. I have used both over the past 25 years and have been very happy with them. Prior to that I used a Fram once. Oil looked like black paint. I buy the OC54's six at a time from Pelican and change my Dino oil every 3,000 miles. On my 88 Carrera, the oil looks like medium colored syrup, not black & sooty. If you run synthetic oil, you can change less frequently in accordance with Porsche recommendations.

ivangene

I had a bit of trouble getting the Mahle on due to (what I recall) the body seal near the filter... if the P-filter is smaller, whould that help easy that issue ... or is it not enough smaller to be any noticable differance

rusnak

The factory Porsche used to be made by Mahle, so they used to be nearly identical.

Now, the factory Porsche one is a POS. Do not buy it.

Buy the Mahle, use Mahle.

ivangene

OK - is that your final answer

rusnak

The Porsche filter is a lot lighter, less filter media. Also the base plate is thinner and not as heavy. There are fewer flow holes, similar to the Mann filter. And the bypass spring looks to be thinner. Overall, the Mahle filter is designed and constructed the way you'd expect Porsche to have done it in the 80s, and the Porsche filter is how they're doing it in 2010.

User 4221

Ed,

The dimension change between Mahle and Porsche filter is in length. The Mahle is about a 1/4" longer than the Porsche version. The body gasket should not have been a problem.

ivangene

why oh why is length always the issue !!

OH - whoops.... did I go OT

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Mahle OC-54 are the only ones we will use.

ivangene

thats the one we put on last night

thanks Steve!

Amber Gramps

Quality control is never an issue with Porsche:

https://rennlist.com/forums/911-foru...ht=topsy+tervy

https://rennlist.com/forums/911-foru...ht=topsy+tervy

rusnak

wow, that is scary. Put those on the 911? I don't think so.

ivangene

hahaha....I read some of the replies...

the one on the right is the summer filter - the other is 944ish
and then read theicemans "driveway" story OMG !!! scary and funny as hell all at the same time!!!