Napa fuel filters: Gold vs. ProSelect

[truav8r]

So I went to my local Napa store for a fuel filter for my '04 Escape. I told the guy I wanted the Gold 3097 filter. He said he had 2 in stock. Great! But then he said "I'll let you in on a dirty little secret.... the guts of our ProSelect (standard) fuel filters are identical to our Gold fuel filters, and the standard is $4 cheaper". He said his Napa district rep even admits they are the same. The only difference is the warranty.

He went on to explain that there is indeed a difference between standard and Gold oil filters (that I know, and you can plainly see), but that the fuel filters are the same.

So, I walked out with the standard $8 filter instead of the Gold $12 filter.

Anybody have any knowledge of this? (BTW... is this the correct forum for this? There's no fuel filter forum here)

 

[TurboJim]

I've heard the same thing, that the media used is the same regardless of brand.

 

[truav8r]

Can anyone else confirm or deny? If the fuel filter media used in their $8 filter is the same as the $12 filter... well, that's something I would want to know before I open my wallet.

 

[kkreit01]

That's nice to know. I was replying to your thread in at EC, but there were site problems. I'm surprised he admitted this to you -- as retailers typically want to upsell their products. I believe it -- since we can't see the innards of the fuel filter. Put the extra $4 towards your next Gold oil filter.

 

[ted s]

the oil filters are not the same

 

[truav8r]

Correct - the oil filters are definitely different.

I work for a major employer in the area, who does a lot of business with this particular Napa store. The Napa manager basically implied that he was telling me this little secret because of my affiliation.

So this is new information for most of you? I would think the BITOGers would've figured it out by now

 

[wgtoys]

The last time I bought a Napa "GOLD" fuel filter for our Volvo the filter inside the box was labeled Made in China. I doubt that the ProSelect could have been even lower grade

.

One thing I am really disappointed about the Wix/NapaGold line up is that many of the less fast moving part numbers are just reboxed aftermarket stuff from who knows where. Their cabin air filters are of especially uninspiring quality. The "Wix" air filter for my Honda is labeled Made in Korea inside. The name on the box really doesn't tell us much!

 

[Colt45ws]

Good to know, since a proselect is what I put on my car.

 

[jzmtl]

I was told pro select oil filter is made by wix, do they also make the gold? What's the difference?

 

[TurboJim]

Quote:

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I was told pro select oil filter is made by wix, do they also make the gold? What's the difference?

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The Napa Gold / Wix is Wix's top of the line oil filter. The ProSelect is made to sell at a lower price point. For more information on that you might want to check out the Oil Filter Forum: http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB6

 

[daman]

Can you even get a fuel filter that's NOT Made in China?

are NAPA's WIX's MIC?