Luis de Prat

Just bought a couple of oil filters at the local Porsche dealer parts counter (Barcelona, Spain). They came in the box with classic "Genuine Parts" Porsche lettering in red. The filters are black, with Porsche lettering in white and cost about the same as at U.S. dealers (around $11).

Guess where they're made?!

In the U.S.A.!

Now someone once told me the dealer filters were simply Purolators painted black. Sounds like they were telling the truth.

So, this begs the question: If Purolators are good enough for the Porsche dealer parts counter here in Europe, what the heck are we doing buying Mahle filters in the U.S.? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Dave

I hate to be thinking this but maybe they get them from as far away as posible so they can mark them up more.

athens944

I usually get the Mahle filter for around $6.00. I stick with these because someone mentioned cetain filters don't have the extra feature because of the way it sits upside down.

led

[quote]Originally posted by athens944:
<strong>I usually get the Mahle filter for around $6.00. I stick with these because someone mentioned cetain filters don't have the extra feature because of the way it sits upside down.</strong><hr></blockquote>

What extra feature?

Brent 89-GT

A check valve that traps oil in the filter when you shut the engine off. This ensures instant oil pressure upon start up. <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

led

nice! <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

Legoland951

try ebay for oil filters. I bought 10 mahle filters for $35 not including shipping.

Travis - sflraver

I know I might get flamed for this but in industries like "oil filters" or even "batteries" its is not uncomon to have only 1 or 2 true manufactures that slap diffrent labels on there products for diffrent distributers. I was talking to my brother in law that owns the south florida section of interstate battery and he was telling me that they make over 20 diffrent brands other than interstate. All the same insides just a generic case and diffrent stickers. Actualy, no stickers.. just blank black cases and they put the sticker on when they get to where they are going. I have to ask him for a list of the off brand names incase anyone on here is going to buy one. They can get interstate quality out of a joe schmoe brand.

Went a little off topic there but what I am trying to say is grab a porsche oil filter and go down to your local autoparts store and check out the other ones. If you find another brand that looks exactly the same for a lot less... it most likely is the same thing.

Luis de Prat

FWIW and along with what sflraver said, I usually buy Purolator filters at auto parts stores in the U.S. for my 83 and these are identical only in a different color.

If you look up "944" in the reference catalog at the store, the filter will have the check valve for mounting upside down.

I had heard about the generic Interstate batteries being made for different store brands. These dealer filters are most likely Purolators.

Merry Christmas <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

Mr. Avionics

From the for what it's worth department.
Just recently bought oil and filter from
Auto Zone. Filter is an STP P/N S6941 and
the spring loaded check valve is easily visable.
Don't remember the cost but wasn't expensive.
Also has a part number on box of Deutsch D602?

Every one have a merry Christmas.
Bill

User 462021

I don't like Purolator or that Fram crap.

I'll just stick with Mahle. Its cheaper anyways.

Luis de Prat

[quote]Originally posted by Tim Strayer is a Guru, but at what?: <strong>I'll just stick with Mahle. Its cheaper anyways.</strong><hr></blockquote>

No Autozones in my area, but I used to buy those Deutsch filters for around $2.50 for my 83. Indeed, the check valve/spring was clearly visible. Mahle can't cost less than that.

User 462021

[quote]Originally posted by Luis de Prat:
<strong> Mahle can't cost less than that.</strong><hr></blockquote>

In bulk they do.

951sickness

Has anyone cut open a Mahle filter? I would be interested in seeing whtat it looks like. I have just cut open a "Euroselect" filter which was sold by the Porsche dealer a while back. This filter was white and was made in the USA. Honestly, inside the filter looked pretty good, not a cheap filter.

Tool Pants

Here is some general oil filter info. Jeff

<a href="http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corvette/articles/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html" target="_blank">oil filter study</a>