Originally Posted By: tommygunn
Bosch Distance Plus (pretty much a Purolator Synthetic without the texture grip)
No, the Bosch DistancePlus is its own animal. Purolator does not market an equivalent filter even though they manufacture the DP for Bosch. The Purolator Synthetic uses wire-backed synthetic media while the DistancePlus has 'advanced synthetic fiber media', basically a high-quality, high-efficiency cellulose. The DistancePlus is more or less a PureOne with more holding capacity so it can be kept in service a lot longer.
http://www.purolatorautofilters.net/products/oil_filters/Pages/SyntheticOilFilters.aspx
http://www.boschautoparts.com/Filters/Pages/DistancePlusOilFilters.aspx
The Bosch Long Life looks to be similar to the Purolator Synthetic but that remains to be seen until they are out in the wild a little longer.
http://www.boschautoparts.com/Filters/Pages/LongLifeOilFilters.aspx
Originally Posted By: tommygunn
The PureOne used to be capable of extended drain...
No, the PureOne was never designed, intended or marketed to be an extended drain filter. I have no idea why so many people are under the impression that it is. The PureOne is better at filtering oil then the Classic but not designed to be used any longer. If anything, The PureOne's higher efficiency will load up the filter media quicker giving it a shorter lifespan. Reading that people use them for 10k+ OCIs on dirty engines makes me cringe.
Originally Posted By: tommygunn
... but they cheapened it in order to make room for the more expensive synthetic filter...
Where did you hear that? That's nothing but Internet-fueled nonsense.
Originally Posted By: tommygunn
... hence the tears.
Purolator's tearing issues are a manufacturing quality-control problem. It happens. It's not a concerted effort to make cheap junk and hope that nobody notices.