Other private label makers?

[pgtr]

For years I've been suitably impressed by Champ Labs filters that manufacturers OEM as well as Deustch and now STP and SuperTechs to name but a few presumably. However after searching thru the board archives I've seen references to dissatisfaction about 'some' STPs and STs as well as 'some' NAPA Silvers to name a few. This sort of confused me because rarely is it clarified just who the makers are - are they still Champ Labs (or Wix in the case of Silvers) or what? What I'm gathering is one possibilitity is that sometimes a single company like Wix or ChampLabs may not make every filter for a particular label. THey or the label's marketer/owner may get some from other sources...

Could they be any of the following filter companies say from Mexico?
interfil.com
grupogonher.com
walmi.com.mx

They all appear to be filter companies based in Mexico. For all I know they make great filters or junk or something in between. Just throwing out some possibilities. I used to think Champ Labs (among others) rounded out the major makers for private labeling and such but w/ the Maquilla Dora (?) and NAFTA anything is possible no?

And if anybody has any specific experience w/ any of these filters LMK. If I hear good stuff, I may pick up some next time I go over the border presuming they are available in the border towns and I can figure out the correct part#s.

[ October 06, 2003, 07:52 PM: Message edited by: pgtr ]

 

[Jimbo]

Your are right. Here is an example. In the BMW cartridge style application the Purolator, Proline and NAPA Silver filters are identical in every respect and are stamped "MADE IN INDIA". The STP filter for the same application looks very different in construction and is made in Mexico.

Does NAPA buy those directly from the manufacturer in India? Probably not. WIX likely sources that filter for them. Arvin-Meritor uses the same source for Purolator and Proline (Pepboys).

 

[pgtr]

That's one thing I was curious about. Does a NAPA or a WalMart or an Autozone(STP) go directly to various companies to 'fill out' their lineup or deal w/ a single company who then further sub-contract.

(I don't think STP is in the filter business - they just licensed their name to Autozone and have nothing more to do w/ it from what I can tell and the zone dropped their old Deutsch filter name for it)

I tend to agree w/ you. I think a 'prime' private label maker like say champ Labs, Wix or Purolator-ArvinMeritor then themselves probably further 'subs' out whatever they don't have in their lineup. I doubt the retailer messes directly w/ multiple private labelers directly - too many variables.

In the NAPA silver example there is probably other considerations like cost. It seems some are Wix and others are.... ??? (one of the above...?)

---

On your BMW example - I'm curious what part#s you are using or what your specific application is.

From another thread - I've found the STP(S8081), Purolators(L25247), Fram(CH8081) on our BMW application to all be German imports made by Mann or Hengst. They tend to be more expensive than the dealer to boot which are also the same Mann filters! I've NOT seen one for ours from India (yet) but I also haven't tried the Wix(51223) variant yet either nor have I bought in in a while.

The OE filter for me is: BMW 11 42 7 509 296 HU 925/3
I think the Hengst # is: E106H and Mann: HU925/4x.

Appreciate any further info here. Am always looking for a good deal on a BMW filter.

thanks,

OFF TOPIC: But I do like these newer generation canister filters like BMW etc are starting to use - they should just drop the paper cartridges to a more realistic price is all! I pay more and get less?

 

[Jimbo]

My car is a '92 with the M50 2.5l non-vanos 24V DOHC I-6. The aftermarket oil filters I have found are:

Purolator L28812 (India) $7 Pepboys
Proline PL28812 (India)$6 Pepboys
Fram CH5320 (India) $7.50 Kragen
STP S5320 (Mexico) $5 Autozone
NAPA Silver (dont have the #, India) $10

The Fram looks slightly different in that the outer wrap is steel rather than resin/paper.

As you can see, the prices are not that bad. I think that as your car gets older, more of them become owner-serviced, increasing the sales volume of these parts and lowering the price. For the same reason, I can get the correct OEM NGK spark plug for $4 each at Pepboys.