Fram oil filter for wife's Mercedes

[wavinwayne]

I was at W-M this morning, getting oil for my wife's '04 ML350's oil change this weekend. I didn't really feel like making an extra trip to the parts store to buy an oil filter, so I took a look at the Fram for her vehicle. I decided to buy it. It is made in S. Korea, and appears to be a good quality filter. I will use it for 7500 miles with Motorcraft 15w40 oil. The Fram filter was just under $12, FWIW. Here's a couple of pics of the filter, etc.

 

[bepperb]

The Fram cartridge style filters actually seem to be of good quality. I think I've seen some complaints that the small o-ring doesn't give as good a seal, but otherwise they seem to be a reasonable choice.

 

[tig1]

Filter may be fine, but doesn't your car call for 0-40?

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Filter may be fine, but doesn't your car call for 0-40?


Yes, but (IMO) that is due to the fact that oil change intervals (determined by the on-board computer) can exceed 10k miles on this vehicle, which I don't do. There are ML owners with many more miles on their vehicles, just using Mobil 1 5w30 and changing every 15k miles or so. The 15w40 will work fine for my application and OCI.

 

[addyguy]

I agree with your choice oil. Think it makes a lot of sense to use a stout, but much cheaper, HDEO in one of these vehicles if you are doing less than 10k OCI's...

 

[Newtonville]

I don't know about that 15w, or the standard non OE paper filter. My wife has 01 e320 and I am going to start doing the oil changes, only dealer did before. Even though it isn't a cold climate I will buy the Mobil 0w-40 that's on the MB list. The oil is the same price as other M1's which is surprising. I will get the Mann made in Germany "fleece" filters for 13.49 from an internet auto store with free shipping on orders over 50. I figure MB knows what they want in oil, not just from change intervals, but cold start protection, etc etc. These engines don't use iron liners but a silicon aluminum wear layer for the cylinder wall. 15w seems a bit off from the 0w, but each to his own and all is good.

 

[Dave Hess]

I am dying to ask this....

You don't worry about Walmart doing the oil change on your ML350 ?

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
I am dying to ask this....

You don't worry about Walmart doing the oil change on your ML350 ?


Not sure if you're serious, but W-M doesn't do the oil changes on the vehicle; I change it myself. I was only at W-M to get supplies. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

 

[Dave Hess]

Sorry , I misread your original post.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
I figure MB knows what they want in oil, not just from change intervals, but cold start protection, etc etc.



He's not challenging most of the spec's that require anything more. If he doesn't care about the fractional fuel economy, doesn't need the deposit control due to lack of taking so far, etc..etc... he can open up usage to a number of oils.

There is no such thing as magic oil.

 

[addyguy]

I'd think that a good-quality HDEO would protect as well, if not better, than a syn like Mobil 1 0W-40 run to past 10k miles.

I know, I know, we can debate that endlessly...but I really think Wayne's choice is just as good a routine....

 

[Newtonville]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Quote:
I figure MB knows what they want in oil, not just from change intervals, but cold start protection, etc etc.



He's not challenging most of the spec's that require anything more. If he doesn't care about the fractional fuel economy, doesn't need the deposit control due to lack of taking so far, etc..etc... he can open up usage to a number of oils.

There is no such thing as magic oil.


Maybe it comes across wrong to say "I would use " or "MB knows better" etc.

But choosing 15w over 0w on a newer MB was why I noticed this thread. Some say great, some like me hmmm. Just opinions we bother to take time to express.

BTW I plan 5K or less, 12-18 month oil and filter changes,with the factory stuff, not respecting the MB engineers oil gadget, even if they know it all. I know how wife drives though, they don't. Says 5k on clock, but add 10k worth of idling at lights. I know it is supposed to take that in account, but I think I know better.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: wavinwayne
... The Fram filter was just under $12...


This filter fits my '00 E430 too. It is available on Amazon at $10.65 + $5.84 shipping for pack of 2 (sold by PartsFactor).

I use Hengst, made in Germany, Oil Filter Kit I bought online for less than $8/ea with free shipping for over $50 purchase total.

I think cartridge filter should cost less than canister filter for reason that cartridge filter has a lot less parts.

 

[JustinH]

I might use that filter. The only thing I have found, is that aftermarket O rings are not the same as the OEM ones.

On the Gm ecotec motor, some brands that include the O ring do not work properly.

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
I might use that filter. The only thing I have found, is that aftermarket O rings are not the same as the OEM ones.

On the Gm ecotec motor, some brands that include the O ring do not work properly.


When I install the filter on the Mercedes today or tomorrow, I will let you know how well the o-rings fit. FWIW, the o-rings that come with the Wix filter that I usually use fit perfectly. If for whatever reason, the o-rings that came with the Fram don't fit, I will re-use the one(s) that are being used with the Wix that is currently in the vehicle.

 

[Kestas]

I believe Mercedes backed off from their 0W-40 recommendation and now recommend 5W-40 for dealer service. I see no real problem with using 15w40 in warm climates. What should be followed is the xW-40 recommendation from Mercedes for most of their modern engines.

I too have sometimes used Fram filters for my 95 E320 that sees 10w30 conventional. For my friend's 01 SLK320 I use the dealer supplied fleece filter, which is designed for use with extended OCIs for the synthetic user. The fleece filter is designed to hold more contaminants than the paper filter and is more appropriate for long OCIs.

 

[buickman50401]

Originally Posted By: wavinwayne
Originally Posted By: tig1
Filter may be fine, but doesn't your car call for 0-40?


Yes, but (IMO) that is due to the fact that oil change intervals (determined by the on-board computer) can exceed 10k miles on this vehicle, which I don't do. There are ML owners with many more miles on their vehicles, just using Mobil 1 5w30 and changing every 15k miles or so. The 15w40 will work fine for my application and OCI.


I too have gone for 5w30 in my wife's 06 Golf when the manual calls for 5w40 or 0w40. However, I used Elf Solaris that met the VW 502, 505 specs instead of just any OTC oil available. The Solaris was the same price as buying Mobil 1 0w40 and showed a gain of approximately 2mpg HWY and 1mpg city.

I'd just be a little leary of using a regular HDEO in a Merc. For such an expensive vehicle it seems a little silly to cheap out on the oil. Pennywise and pound foolish.

I just throw in the Elf with a Mann filter (or more recently Mobil 1 0w40 with an Mobil 1 filter since it was on special for $30) and run the car out to 6 months OCI. She rarely puts on more then 8,000mi in the 6 months between changes and the car gets Elf for the fall/winter and Mobil 1 for the spring/summer.

 

[hal]

my volvo V70 takes that same type of cartridge filter, although its a little shorter. i just don't like the frams, the endcaps are some kind of epoxy. on a wix/carquest/napa they have better endcaps w/ better seals plus the filter media's center support does not rattle around like it does on the frams.

the difference is night and day to me, might be something to think about...
Pic of the one for my car as a reference

 

[wavinwayne]

I finally got around to changing the Mercedes' oil today, using MC 15w40 and a Fram cartridge oil filter. The o-rings that came with the Fram filter all fit fine. The cartridge oil filter was a very tight fit on the post that it slides onto, but it did fit. I noted that the Fram didn't have as many pleats as the Wix that I removed. I didn't count, but I'd estimate the Fram had 1/4 less pleats than the Wix. I plan to change the oil again in approx. 7500 miles.

 

[Tornado Red]

Now you have 7500 miles to decide if you really want to protect that MB with Motorcraft oil and Fram filters. They might work for you... but if you decide to sell the M-class, what will you tell the prospective buyer about maintenance? And will that buyer be impressed with your oil choice, conventional instead of synthetic, Fram instead of MANN or Mahle or even Wix?