K@N now made in Mexico, quality took a dump!

[sixtwoturbo]

I searched and didn't find anything, so I apologize in advance if its already been mentioned. I used to use K@N on the van, could get them locally for around $10, and upon some service work last year, the bearings etc all looked great using synthetic and changing the oil and filter every 7500 km's, well a few months ago, time to change my oil and grabbed the filter, it felt light, if you tapped it, sounded weird, Ie hollow? checked the label and made in Mexico? I drained it and its still a lot heavier, no hollow sound and the base plate looks so much better, IE sturdier. I checked the Mexico one after use and its still a lot lighter. Going to cut them apart soon and compare. So I guess its buyer beware and funnily enough, the price went up,

 

[cknight49090]

those K&N filters have only been mediocre at best there are better filters for less or around the same money.

 

[95busa]

In God I trust. All others bring data.

 

[michaelluscher]

Its funny you should say that

I compared the Korean ones to 'Murican made ones at my local AZ a few months back, the looks and feels made me think the Korean ones are better made.

There still Mega Ultra Super Uber overpriced tho!

 

[Voltmaster]

Paying 4-6X for a "lifetime filter" that needs cleaning and special oil(life time money sucking), and lets more dirt into the system for sake of 1-2 HP.... who cares who makes it?

Its a expensive, product that should only be used for track days.

The days of clean filter = better MPG are long gone, never saw the point of buying resueble.


Many Wix and others will do a better job at what they are designed to to... clean the darn air going into the engine.

 

[FowVay]

umm, Mr. Voltmeister ... this is a OIL filter thread. OIL FILTER!

 

[Merkava_4]

Are they still charging over $12 per filter? What's the point in paying all that money if it's made in Mexico?

 

[Motorking]

K+N oil filters used to be made in Albion Illinois, by Champ Labs, a division of FRAM filtration on the same production line as FRAM racing filters. We asked for a slight price increase, they wanted a price decrease, lines in the sand were drawn and now they are made in Korea and Mexico. They used to be a over priced 90% efficiency filter, now in the low 80's (we havent tested them all)and the price is the same or higher. You can buy many full synthetic oil filters (FRAM Ultra, Bosch extended life, Mobil 1 Extended life) that are way better filters for the same or lower price. FRAM and Mobil 1 made in USA, Bosch? who knows since they departed Purolater.

 

[bullwinkle]

Jay-did Bosch really leave Purolator? I thought they were both under the Mann + Hummel Group? I agree with you on the K&N, last one I had I returned for a Fram Ultra.

 

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: Voltmaster
Paying 4-6X for a "lifetime filter" that needs cleaning and special oil(life time money sucking), and lets more dirt into the system for sake of 1-2 HP.... who cares who makes it?

Its a expensive, product that should only be used for track days.

The days of clean filter = better MPG are long gone, never saw the point of buying resueble.


Many Wix and others will do a better job at what they are designed to to... clean the darn air going into the engine.

 

[Sayjac]

I'll be watching the answer to the Bosch innuendo very closely, as I suspect others will. Because unless a change as of today with regard to the US made Bosch oil filters, the only thing Bosch jettison is half ownership of Purolator with Mann&Hummel. The current Bosch Distance Plus and Bosch Premium still say made in US, and are made by Purolator. Lacking authoritative information to the contrary including a citing, I take anything else at this point as unconfirmed hearsay.

It is possible it 'could' change in the future, much as said K&N and O'R MicroGard left Rank/Fram/Champ and Bosch left Champ in the past.

 

[gregk24]

Two words...Fram Ultra

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Are they still charging over $12 per filter? What's the point in paying all that money if it's made in Mexico?


Si senior...

 

[sixtwoturbo]

I think voltmaster needs to lay off the crack, lol.


Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Are they still charging over $12 per filter? What's the point in paying all that money if it's made in Mexico?


More, price went up,

 

[sixtwoturbo]

Originally Posted By: Motorking
K+N oil filters used to be made in Albion Illinois, by Champ Labs, a division of FRAM filtration on the same production line as FRAM racing filters. We asked for a slight price increase, they wanted a price decrease, lines in the sand were drawn and now they are made in Korea and Mexico. They used to be a over priced 90% efficiency filter, now in the low 80's (we havent tested them all)and the price is the same or higher. You can buy many full synthetic oil filters (FRAM Ultra, Bosch extended life, Mobil 1 Extended life) that are way better filters for the same or lower price. FRAM and Mobil 1 made in USA, Bosch? who knows since they departed Purolater.


That's great info, thanks.

Trouble is around here, we get raped on oil and filter prices.

Just checking into LF653, B6 or some Donaldson alternatives.

Fram Ultra really any good?

 

[Mach1Owner]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Are they still charging over $12 per filter? What's the point in paying all that money if it's made in Mexico?


It's not the fact its made in Mexico that makes $12 a problem, its if its poor quality.

I'd pay $12 if it was a really good quality part, no matter where its made.

*WARNING RANT AHEAD*

I really hate the "made in USA only" people. Have you seen the work ethic of Americans? Sure it may have been good 25-50 years ago, but now, thinking of the people that I went to HS and college with I'd trust some 9yo in Taiwan to make a good quality part before I trust them.

I'm going to give my money to who makes the BEST product for my money, I'm not going to pay more just because it's "made in America" If America isn't making the best product for my needs or what I can afford then I'm not buying American. If America want's my money then they should make BETTER products.

Look at my car list:
Escort:
Engine was British design
Electronics were Japanese/Canadian
Transmission was Japanese, designed to meet the needs of a car with 88hp and 80TQ. Ford put it in a car with 140hp/145tq, no wonder the differential was the first things to break on them
Assembled in Mexico

Taurus: EU designed drive train
Mustang: Engine and drive trains were mostly done in Canada, electronics Japan then shipped to US to be put in the rest of the car, which I'm not sure were the rest of the parts were made, I assume America.

[censored] my Nissan is more American than many Fords.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: sixtwoturbo
Fram Ultra really any good?


The Ultra is very good.

 

[pavelow]

Originally Posted By: Mach1Owner
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Are they still charging over $12 per filter? What's the point in paying all that money if it's made in Mexico?


It's not the fact its made in Mexico that makes $12 a problem, its if its poor quality.

I'd pay $12 if it was a really good quality part, no matter where its made.

*WARNING RANT AHEAD*

I really hate the "made in USA only" people. Have you seen the work ethic of Americans? Sure it may have been good 25-50 years ago, but now, thinking of the people that I went to HS and college with I'd trust some 9yo in Taiwan to make a good quality part before I trust them.

I'm going to give my money to who makes the BEST product for my money, I'm not going to pay more just because it's "made in America" If America isn't making the best product for my needs or what I can afford then I'm not buying American. If America want's my money then they should make BETTER products.

Look at my car list:
Escort:
Engine was British design
Electronics were Japanese/Canadian
Transmission was Japanese, designed to meet the needs of a car with 88hp and 80TQ. Ford put it in a car with 140hp/145tq, no wonder the differential was the first things to break on them
Assembled in Mexico

Taurus: EU designed drive train
Mustang: Engine and drive trains were mostly done in Canada, electronics Japan then shipped to US to be put in the rest of the car, which I'm not sure were the rest of the parts were made, I assume America.

[censored] my Nissan is more American than many Fords.
You feel better after your [censored] rant?

 

[pavelow]

Originally Posted By: sixtwoturbo
I searched and didn't find anything, so I apologize in advance if its already been mentioned. I used to use K@N on the van, could get them locally for around $10, and upon some service work last year, the bearings etc all looked great using synthetic and changing the oil and filter every 7500 km's, well a few months ago, time to change my oil and grabbed the filter, it felt light, if you tapped it, sounded weird, Ie hollow? checked the label and made in Mexico? I drained it and its still a lot heavier, no hollow sound and the base plate looks so much better, IE sturdier. I checked the Mexico one after use and its still a lot lighter. Going to cut them apart soon and compare. So I guess its buyer beware and funnily enough, the price went up,

I haven't used K&N oil filters since the mid 90s. Sad to see another once made in the USA part being made overseas though.

 

[sixtwoturbo]

Originally Posted By: Mach1Owner
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Are they still charging over $12 per filter? What's the point in paying all that money if it's made in Mexico?


It's not the fact its made in Mexico that makes $12 a problem, its if its poor quality.

I'd pay $12 if it was a really good quality part, no matter where its made.

*WARNING RANT AHEAD*

I really hate the "made in USA only" people. Have you seen the work ethic of Americans? Sure it may have been good 25-50 years ago, but now, thinking of the people that I went to HS and college with I'd trust some 9yo in Taiwan to make a good quality part before I trust them.

I'm going to give my money to who makes the BEST product for my money, I'm not going to pay more just because it's "made in America" If America isn't making the best product for my needs or what I can afford then I'm not buying American. If America want's my money then they should make BETTER products.

Look at my car list:
Escort:
Engine was British design
Electronics were Japanese/Canadian
Transmission was Japanese, designed to meet the needs of a car with 88hp and 80TQ. Ford put it in a car with 140hp/145tq, no wonder the differential was the first things to break on them
Assembled in Mexico

Taurus: EU designed drive train
Mustang: Engine and drive trains were mostly done in Canada, electronics Japan then shipped to US to be put in the rest of the car, which I'm not sure were the rest of the parts were made, I assume America.

[censored] my Nissan is more American than many Fords.


LOL, well I agree to disagree. What [censored]'s me off is it was made quite well in the US, then they go offshore, where obviously the quality to a dump, and the price went up? [censored]? Sorry, if your going to made a lower quality product and its cheaper to make, then don't put the [censored] price up and of course, ruin it by cheaping out on quality.

Not saying Americans are lazy but have you seen how workers in foreign country's are treated? Some risk death unless they work like dogs. I would hate to be a worker putting together iPhones all day, probably 14 hour days, 6-7 days a week, ack.