Mahle Oil FIlter for my Subaru?

[BHopkins]

Recently, while reviewing the oil filter choices on RockAuto, for my Outback, I saw that a Mahle filter is now available. I've seen some very positive comments here about Mahle filters, particularly from owners of European cars. So, I found the Mahle website, and looked for technical data on their filters. I couldn't find anything on efficiency rating, etc. A lot of information speaking highly of the quality of their filters. But everyone does that.

Has anyone found any technical information on the Mahle oil filters? I'm considering buying a few to add to my stash. But I'd really like to know more about them first.

 

[901Memphis]

Mahle filters made first German cars are top notch, but generally the Mahle filters for other makes are usually junk. Might want to buy one and dissect it before you take the plunge.

 

[BHopkins]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Mahle filters made first German cars are top notch, but generally the Mahle filters for other makes are usually junk. Might want to buy one and dissect it before you take the plunge.


That's a good idea. That would at least tell me the quality of the bypass valve, the anti flow back valve, how well the media is supported, etc. But efficiency of the filtration media would still be an unknown.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Mahle filters made first German cars are top notch, but generally the Mahle filters for other makes are usually junk. Might want to buy one and dissect it before you take the plunge.

Mahle cartridge oil filters for European vehicles are very high quality, their spin-on oil filters are pretty good but not as high quality as Fram Ultra and about as good as Fram Tough Guard or Wix or Napa Gold.

There is no publish filter efficiency of almost any German oil filter, for both cartridge and spin-on.

 

[sicko]

I don't have any info on the Mahle, but wanted to ask if there was any reason you're not going with something like the Wix filter available on RockAuto? It costs less than the Mahle, is a high quality filter, and has the high bypass valve pressure that Subaru has on their OE filters.

 

[Stewie]

All marketing go ask BMW

Your OEM are pretty good

 

[147_Grain]

For my 13 Outback 6-cylinder, I'm keeping things simple and sticking with the $5.25 OEM Tokyo Rokki oil filter due to the high bypass requirements: changing oil and filter every 5,000 miles with city driving in the severe maintenance category.

 

[fdcg27]

Here's a link to a thread in which a new Mahle was cut open.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...le/Search/true/[Cut_Open]_-New_Mahle_OC715#Post3385873

This was a Mexican-made filter.
A Euro Mahle would be a good quality filter.
The aftermarket spin-ons made in Mexico don't seem to be anything special and would certainly not be worth a premium over a Wix.
These Mahles look like jobber-quality oil filters offered at an inflated price.
Not a smart buy IMHO.

 

[BHopkins]

Originally Posted By: sicko
I don't have any info on the Mahle, but wanted to ask if there was any reason you're not going with something like the Wix filter available on RockAuto? It costs less than the Mahle, is a high quality filter, and has the high bypass valve pressure that Subaru has on their OE filters.


My current filter of choice is the Napa Gold, which of course is the Wix filter. I am very happy with it. But when I saw the Mahle option on Rock Auto, I was curious if I should try it. But after seeing the comments here, and reviewing the tear down that was linked, I think I'll stay with my NAPA Gold.

 

[CrawfishTails]

Originally Posted By: BHopkins
Recently, while reviewing the oil filter choices on RockAuto, for my Outback, I saw that a Mahle filter is now available. I've seen some very positive comments here about Mahle filters, particularly from owners of European cars. So, I found the Mahle website, and looked for technical data on their filters. I couldn't find anything on efficiency rating, etc. A lot of information speaking highly of the quality of their filters. But everyone does that.

Has anyone found any technical information on the Mahle oil filters? I'm considering buying a few to add to my stash. But I'd really like to know more about them first.


Exactly! Like most other oil filter makers, it seems to be a secret what the ISO 4548-12 results are, and what's in the oil filter media (cheap cellulose paper here very likely).
Why keep it a secret?
Fram Ultra always is known, 50% at 5 microns, 99% at 20 microns, about 25 grams capacity, all-synthetic wire-backed media.
Hmmmm.... should we trust companies that hold secrets? Or go with Fram (or Wix) that at least gives consumer tech info vital to make product purchases.
I guess Mahle would be adequate, but you don't really know what you're getting. Adequate only. Maybe. The "Ma" in "Mahle" stands for "Maybe We Won't Tell You About Our Product"..

 

[Noobie]

European brands usually never states their filtration efficiency. I still havent found a single RELIABLE source that states their efficiency. (Mahle, Mann comes to mind)

 

[tommygunn]

One way to spot a "real" Mahle oil filter is to see if it's specified for a European car.

The following examples all interchange with a Fram 3614, Purolator 10241, Mobil 1-102, and Wix 51348. The two example cars are a 2002 Saab 9-3 and a 1996 Toyota Camry V6.

For example, the Mahle OC981 for the Saab is a real Austrian Mahle. The OC338 for the Camry is a cheap Mexican rebox.

Mann has the ML1003 for the Camry, and the W712/80 for the Saab. The ML1003 is a reboxed L10241; the W712/80 is a real German Mann.

With Mann, it's even easier to spot the difference. Any part number starting with ML is a reboxed Purolator Classic impostor. Part numbers that start with W are black canisters made in Germany. Part numbers for real Mann cartridges start with HU and end in an x.

Mann makes two oil filters for the Ecotec: ML1015 and HU6007x. The former is a reboxed Classic; the latter is a better design and made in Spain.

Mahle uses the same part numbering scheme for both the real Austrians and cheap Mexicans (OC... for spin-on, and OX...D for cartridges), so it gets a little harder. Best way to find one is to look up one of the Fram/Wix/Puro/Mobil 1 filters and look for any European cars that call for them, and then find the Mann and Mahle spec'd for those cars.

In your case though, there won't be any real Mann or Mahle available for your Outback because no European cars use an oil filter in your size (Fram 7317, Wix 51356/57356, Purolaotor 14610, Mobil 1-110)

 

[henni]

Just bought a box of Mahle OC707 filters from amaliestore.com and each individual filter states Made in USA