Originally Posted By: Spyder7
It really comes down to personal taste. There is enough factual information out there to serve as a starting point for some solid, non-opinion based, information on any given filter.
That's partially true, but there is more to it than just personal preference. The Europeans came out with extended drains and filters for that purpose for a reason. You and I already pay a premium for oil compared to our American friends. We still pay a pittance compared to what many Europeans pay.
I probably change my oil too often. I certainly could go much longer if I chose the appropriate oil and did some UOA trending and so forth. As it stands, I don't find it necessary to run a Bosch Distance Plus (not even available here yet), Mobil 1, K&N, Amsoil, Fram Extended Guard, or Royal Purple filter. I buy Wix and German import filters for one third to one half the price. As an aside, the German filters are speced for extended OCIs, and many have run Wix for extended OCIs with good results.
Look at any new Benz, Audi, or BMW. They spec a fleece filter for the factory mandated extended OCIs. They also offer a paper filter for shorter OCIs. If someone wants to spend $20 for a fleece filter instead of $10 for a paper for a short OCI, that's certainly up to them.
Yes, people are free to spend as much on oil and filters as they want. A person running a 3,000 mile OCI, however, on a basic vehicle isn't going to convince me he needs Royal Purple or Amsoil along with a $15 filter. He's also not going to convince me that his vehicle will last longer than mine if he does 3,000 miles with a boutique synthetic and a $15 filter and if I do 3,000 miles with Quaker State conventional and a Wix.
I'm not saying he should extend his OCI out to 25,000 miles, either, without careful research. One can go nuts in either direction.
The fleet vehicles I've maintained have gone a combined mileage in the millions. 99% of the oil changes were with Quaker State conventional and Wix filters at a 6,000 mile OCI, when the 3,000 mile OCI was still considered gospel. Their engines all ran fine when they went to their final resting places. I got over 1,000,000 km out of a 1981 Impala before its body started to show its age. The engine was fine; it was retired because the body had the bun. What possible advantage could I have gotten running synthetic and a high end filter (not readily available then anyhow)?
From that position of operational experience, I would have been in a very tough position had I put forward a deviation from those maintenance methods. If I would have suggested returning to 3,000 miles, I would have been asked why. The vehicles never failed, so why double the oil and filter cost? If I would have suggested synthetic and ultra expensive filters, the same questions would have been asked. Back then, the difference in price between conventional and synthetic was far more than it is now.
Some things are perfectly clear and logical. A Fram orange can may do the job admirably. Its price, however, is not justified by its construction quality. I can get a Wix cheaper than a Fram. What possible justification could I have for buying a Fram? One can discuss personal taste, but that would be bad taste, along with poor reasoning.
I have no problem with people spending money as they wish. I just don't buy the argument from people who claim that the most expensive boutique oil and the highest priced filter will make their vehicle last longer over a normal OCI.
Those who complain about the price of the Bosch DP are missing the point. It's not there for people who want to run average OCIs. It's not there for people who can find the actual German filters at a reasonable price. They'll gladly sell them to people who wish to change every 3,000 miles, but that's not their target market. Heck, even the Bosch site indicates that Bosch filters are primarily for European vehicles and the Purolator line are for all others.