Fram Cartridge Filters?
- Thread starter BTLew81
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Originally Posted By: BTLew81
2011 Jetta....have a stock of cheap M1 cart. filters, but I can get a fram at WM for about 8 bucks. For 7.5k OCI, anyone have issue with using this filter? Looks to be nicely made.
If it looks nicely made, go for it. The Frams for our cars both look horrible.
The Fram cartridge filters I've seen posted here look to be very decent. Most using them seem pleased with the quality and design.
I like German brand/made cartridge filters, Mann or Mahle or Hengst or Bosch, better than any other brand. The problem is most local parts stores don't have it.
My MS3 uses cartridge filters and I've currently got OE. Mobil and Purolator in stock. I've eyeballed all three and it is very difficult to find a meaningful difference. I suspect there aren't too many manufacturers of these things and they all come from the same place. BTW, I bought the P1s for $4 each on one of AAP's $100 discount deals and then got a$12 MIR from Purolator. So, they can be had pretty cheap if you play the game.
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Well, one nice thing about cartridge filters is that you can inspect the elements. It won't tell you everything, but you can get an idea of the overall construction and at least some indication of the quality of the media.
For the Volvo cartridge, the Frams I've seen are way better than the Bosch filters--but my guess is that it may vary by application. If it looks good, I'd use it. I'd worry more about how it looks versus the name on the box. There's no hiding anything with a cartridge filter, after all.
The Fram cartridge filter for my Cruze looks awful. It's made in China, and is sloppy in its construction The OEM Hengst (made in the USA!) is a much better made filter. Not sure if the Purolator is a reboxed Hengst or not.
Fram cartridge filters... no thanks. They never came with a replacement O-Ring for my filter, of which almost every other filter brand I used included one. Wix included one, but theirs was too small, and caused leaks. I wasn't impressed with their air filter for the car either, the gasket/seal was way too thick and wouldn't fit in the box (couldn't ever get it to snap shut).
The ones for eth 3.3L Hyundai Sonata used to be very high quality made in Korea. The newer ones are noticabley flimsier and made in China.
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