Best filter for $6 or under
- Thread starter mebanditws6
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Patman
Staff member
Yep, K&Ns are a Champion made product. I believe the STP oil filters are also.
The more I think about this, the more it sounds like the person you spoke with was talking abou the old "blue box" SuperTech filters. SuperTechs in the black box (and with black filters) have a synthetic blend media (which is what the Bosch has) and it states right on the box that it has a 99% effiecency rating. I'll buy that this rating is at 20 micron, and the more expensive Bosch is at 15. But to say that a filter with a synthetic blend media and which is this efficient (even at 20 micron) is only suitable for 3000 miles or 6 months is completely off the mark, IMO. I'd believe this about the old blue SuperTechs, but not the black ones.
The Mann oil filter is O.E. on Mercedes, Volvo, and others.
The link to download the on-line catalogue is..
hbicd:/C:/Mann-Hummel/Filterkatalog/data/NewDoc/home.htm
I have not found any information regarding filter construction, media spec., etc.
The link to download the on-line catalogue is..
hbicd:/C:/Mann-Hummel/Filterkatalog/data/NewDoc/home.htm
I have not found any information regarding filter construction, media spec., etc.
"SuperTech for $1.98 at Wal-Mart. Made by Champion and virtually identical to the more expensive Bosch. Unlike others here, I happen to prefer a 20 micron filter. The SuperTech is 98% effective at 20 micron, and a 20 micron filter will not clog or restrict the flow as much as a 10 or 15 micron filter will. After having used a PureOne, I can tell the difference in how fast the oil gets to the lifters on a cold morning with the SuperTech."
Yep I used PureOnes on my 125k Grand Cherokee before switching to the Bosch Premium, and the times the lifters do rattle on cold start I think I noticed a less amount of lifter clatter with the Bosch. Besides the K@N being better constructed and supposedly flowing better than the Bosch, what other thing does the K@N offer for more $ that the Bosch doesn't offer, a better antidrainback valve? I didn't even know the Bosch's even had these until I went to their website. Are their valves that good?
Jason
Yep I used PureOnes on my 125k Grand Cherokee before switching to the Bosch Premium, and the times the lifters do rattle on cold start I think I noticed a less amount of lifter clatter with the Bosch. Besides the K@N being better constructed and supposedly flowing better than the Bosch, what other thing does the K@N offer for more $ that the Bosch doesn't offer, a better antidrainback valve? I didn't even know the Bosch's even had these until I went to their website. Are their valves that good?
Jason
Also does anyone know any of the flow ratings and size of microns of Wix filters sold at O'Reilly auto parts?
Jason
Jason
red2rebel, Bill J gave you the scoop. Pretty much every Volvo nut in the Volvo nut community uses Mann oil filters (same OEM as Volvo filter, 1/2 price). Yeah some use Amsoil filters, and a very few use M1 filters. NO ONE uses the FRAM part # size for Volvo, because of the useless drainback scheme for this filter - really dry starts, etc
Any the Mann filter => They flow well, filter great. Even the Volvo addicts that use extended drains - just change the Mann filter at 3K. Sometimes the 10 packs are around the $30 range on Ebay, etc.
Ah the numbers game - I can't say a certain percentage at a certain µm size and the numbers being so easily tossed around...well a grain of salt comes to mind.
Any the Mann filter => They flow well, filter great. Even the Volvo addicts that use extended drains - just change the Mann filter at 3K. Sometimes the 10 packs are around the $30 range on Ebay, etc.
Ah the numbers game - I can't say a certain percentage at a certain µm size and the numbers being so easily tossed around...well a grain of salt comes to mind.
Has anyone noticed that Bosch no longer uses a spring bypass valve? Both the Mobil 1 and K&N still use this, but it has been removed from the Bosch.
Compare the 2 pictures here:
These aren't before and after pics, just an example of what I'm talking about. The first pic is the cheaper Bosch standard filter which, strangely has the spring bypass valve in a cheaper filter.
http://www.boschusa.com/images/consumers/StandardOilFilters_off.jpg
This pic is the Bosch Premium. Notice the lack of a bypass valve spring.
http://www.boschusa.com/images/consumers/PremiumOilFilters_on.jpg
A month or so ago, I spoke with Bosch, who referred me to Champion. According to the person I spoke with, the spring bypass valve opens slowly, whereas the new design is more like an on-off switch. I don't like the idea of the flood gates opening when it may only be necessary to let a little through. Seems like a cheapening of the product. I returned the last Bosch filter I bought and picked up the K&N for a few bucks more. I even like the 1" nut on the end.
Compare the 2 pictures here:
These aren't before and after pics, just an example of what I'm talking about. The first pic is the cheaper Bosch standard filter which, strangely has the spring bypass valve in a cheaper filter.
http://www.boschusa.com/images/consumers/StandardOilFilters_off.jpg
This pic is the Bosch Premium. Notice the lack of a bypass valve spring.
http://www.boschusa.com/images/consumers/PremiumOilFilters_on.jpg
A month or so ago, I spoke with Bosch, who referred me to Champion. According to the person I spoke with, the spring bypass valve opens slowly, whereas the new design is more like an on-off switch. I don't like the idea of the flood gates opening when it may only be necessary to let a little through. Seems like a cheapening of the product. I returned the last Bosch filter I bought and picked up the K&N for a few bucks more. I even like the 1" nut on the end.
Patman
Staff member
The 1" nut on the K&N definitely helps! Plus the K&N has a very high burst strength too. Overall I believe it uses much better materials, which is why it costs more.
The Micro-Gard line of filters at O'Reilly's lists their filters as 96% for the SAE multi pass test. Unfortunately, they do not list the particle size (Microns). Can someone cut one of these babies opena and give ua an evaluation? I would be willing to ship a new Micro-Garrd filter to anyone on the board for opening up and photographing/posting pics. They seem to be a very nice filter looking from the outside.....and they are $2.50 a piece to....
I know MANN filters are great because I am German.moved to the US 12 years ago......we used them on trucks, tractors and cars alot......German quality!! But the problem is that MANN does not make a lot of filters for US car brands and I have not found one source that lists and sells them over the internet......not all of us are driving Volvos, 'ya know.....anyone know where to buy MANN filters here?????
Do a Google search for "source for mann filters"
Ken
Ken
Alex - yeah I know everybody doesn't drive Volvi
(good thing, I like to buy beaters for cheap and get another 200K miles!)
Anyhow finding a match might be fun but try:
Mann-Hummel USA
Looks like he has a selection?
Anyhow finding a match might be fun but try:
Mann-Hummel USA
Looks like he has a selection?
[/QUOTE]
I doubt if the K&N are rated 90% at 10 microns. Probably 20 microns.
Patman
Staff member
Al, I believe that they do a multipass test using a mixture of 10-20 micron particles, and score a 90% on that, and so you're right, it's probably mostly 20 micron particles they are catching. Another reason why we have to be careful when their tech reps quote us the numbers.
If you're dead set on getting a $5 filter, then Bosch Super Premium or Wix. Reasons: Top notch construction, good filtering, and good flow. (The PureOne is in this price range too, but I've got issues with restricted flow in the PureOne because of the densely packed media.)quote:
Originally posted by red2rebel:
Guys ... I don't drive a Volvo.
What do you recommend for my 3 Dodge Dakotas in the $5 range and why?
But I honestly think you'd be getting just as good a filter at half the price going with the SuperTech.
J powers, I spoke with a champion rep that said their new "clicker" valve is only available on Champion made 3 inch diameter oil filters. They have not put these in any other filters. It may not apply to your filter. -Joe
I noticed this spring missing from the filter before I called them. The first and only time I used the Bosch, out of curiosity I looked inside and there was no spring. I opened another box and a spring was present. Unaware that they were changing the design, I brought both boxes to the front of the store, paid for the one with the spring, and pointed out the apparent defect to the guy working there so he could return it to the company. Although I can't remember the model number, it's for a Honda so it's probably the size you're talking about.
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