WIX 42475 Air Filter - Same As MANN C2558/5?

[NaturallyAspirated]

Hi BITOG Members,

I purchased a WIX 42475 air filter and it showed up in a cardboard box. On the box was a sticker 42475 (542475.) The product is made in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

To my surprise (hopefully not to some of you) the filter is printed MANN FILTER C2558/5, which is the MANN-equivalent part number. On the other side, it shows part number 54275.

Is this correct? If yes, is this because of the MANN Hummel acquisition of WIX?

I am curious if the WIX and MANN equivalent air filter are the same in specifications? While it doesn't break the bank, the WIX was actually a few dollars more. I originally ordered the MANN equivalent was out of stock, and was advised by the sales rep it would take 4 - 6 weeks for delivery. Any insight and wisdom is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[edyvw]

Yep, MANN has owned WIX for a long time.
MANN usually comes from Germany, Poland, Bosnia, and, lately, Mexico.
The ones from Bosnia are OE on German made VW's.

 

[NaturallyAspirated]

Thank you for that!
Is there any value in springing the few extra dollar for the WIX filter if it's really just a MANN filter?

 

[fantastic]

As mentioned Mann+Hummel owns WIX filter company. For this particular filter it sounds like WIX is not making them & instead Mann is. I see the same thing for oil filters from Purolator as well.

 

[NaturallyAspirated]

Appreciate the details on that.

I suppose for any replacement filters, I will look for Mann when avaialble.

 

[dubber09]

To be sure it's the same thing you'd better cut open one of each, ideally while new, to compare their components and build.
I switched to Mann filters after learning they are same as Kia ones, Mann makes them for Kia, specs and components are same, Mann is cheaper to buy.

 

[NaturallyAspirated]

Thanks, dubber09.

I am knowingly going off-topic, but thought I would share that I managed to compare the WIX 57211 to the Napa Gold 7211 oil filter side by side yesterday.

Both physically look the same (same components) and the filter material and pleats visually look the same. Both show Made in Poland. I didn't cut the WIX because it isn't mine, but overall, to the naked eye, they appear to be like-for-like. The NAPA Gold filter box and WIX box show Mann-Hummel on the corner.

As a reference point, I purchased the NAPA Gold oil filters from Fleet Filter. I am curious if I purchased from my local NAPA store, if they would still be from WIX/Mann-Hummel, or from Napa's new manufacturer?

(I should probably post this in the oil filter forum.) Thank you all for the engaging and informative discussion. I definitely learned something new.