Mahle or Factory, Which is Better?

[jcc911]

So,in the process of changing my oil, I realized that I used my last filter last season. Because I could not wait the few days to source one from our host, I sought out to find one locally.
Of course I could not find a Mahle one here the dealer ships only carried the Porsche brand filters.
So, I bit the bulloet and spent $18 for a Porsche oil filter. In the process, I got into a little "discussion" with one of the local mechanics because he stateed that the Porsche brand filter was "better." Of course there was nothing to support his claim, but simply that because it has "Porsche" on it, it is better.
So I paid a little more for a filter... still beats the $80 they charge for an oil change.

Is there really any difference between the filters besides the price?
Thanks All.

[Dantilla]

Porsche filters are Mahle filters.

Mahle is the factory supplier. just a different logo painted on.

[cnavarro]

If you want an upgrade from the Mahle/Factory filters, go get yourself a Mobil 1 filter. Might still be cheaper than buying one from the factory. These are all I use on every vehicle I own. Plus they are available at all Autozones and other FLAPS.

[ianc]

Is Mahle the OEM?

I use MAN,

ianc

[cnavarro]

Yes. I would consider a Mann filter an equivalent to the stock and is actually an OEM provider for other makes (like my 2004 w8 passat).

[Jim Smolka]

Not sure 'Porsche' filters are Mahle filters for the SC's and Carrera's. At one time yes, but not so sure now. If one weighs a new Mahle filter and a new Porsche oil filter, there is a difference. IMHO, the Mahle filters are the best.

[rusnak]

I use Mahle, which is indistinguishable from the Porsche, but the Porsche logo looks cool.

Anyone use the Purolator, the black one made in Germany? All three look so much like the Mann, that I'm beginning to think they are all made by Mann.

[cnavarro]

The purolator filter, like the Pure One, has excellent filtration capabilities, but it's cellulose media is very tightly packed and I think it might cause some oil starvation/flow issues in short order. I have used them, but change them out often <3000mi.

[DaveE]

I bought the "PORSCHE" filter for my SC recently and was surprised to see "Made in USA" on it. I don't know who actually makes them now.

[cnavarro]

Anyone have one they are willing to cut open to put pictures up for comparison? :-)

[munro86]

About 3 years ago I was looking for a new oil filter for my 85 Carrera and found this company that had them. When he put in the Porsche part no. that I gave him, it cross-referenced with a filter that goes into a Buick. He said that it was indentical with the porsche one which is only 'rebadged' i.e. painted black with 'Porsche' on it but twice as expensive-didn't know paint cost that much?....

[jcc911]

Actually they were not the same. The Mahle was taller and the the unit as a whole had a larger diameter.

[defcon65]

I used a Bosch filter last time, that was the one the local import specialty store sold. I have a Mahle on order with the rest of my stuff from the host. Is there a difference? I paid seven-eight bucks each

[Tom F2]

I have the Mahle and a "dealer" filter side by side. The Mahle filter is bigger, and more substantial feeling. The internal valve looks like the old orange filters. The "dealer" filter looks like a cheapo Fram that someone painted black and glued a label on. I am shocked, really. This is only the second time in 16 years that I have bought something from Porsche that didn't seem to be as good or better than the original part. The last time, it was a cheapo Hirschmann antenna replacement for the beefy original in my SC.

Unfortunately, both the above referenced filters are new, so I don't want to cut them open. I will be removing a "dealer" unit over the weekend, and I will try to post a picture. Maybe someone else can put up a Mahle cutaway.

Does anyone on this board have the equipment to compare the filter elements themselves?

[ChrisBennet]

I bought these for a 944S2 but it might be of some interest. The "Porsche" one was the lightest.

Porsche is penny pinching these days. From Monroe (!) shocks on the 993 to cheesy oil filters...
I'd go with Mann or Mahle.
-Chris

[2.7RACER]

Run the Mahle filter or the Mann if you can't get the Mahle.
I used a Fram once and my oil system "gurgled" at start up.
I replaced the filter that week with a Mahle, gurgling stopped.
I've heard of a Fram disintegrating in a Porsche 911.
Fram paid for a rebuild.
I use Fram on my Durango, it's OK
Why mess around?
Get what is designed for it.
All filters are not the same.
Especially filters for our dry sump motors.
If you want cheap get your stuff at Wally World and put it in your Ford.

[S2GART]

When I bought my SC in October, it had a Porsche filter on it. It also said made in the USA on it. I have used Mahle (made in Austria) exclusively since then.

[Wil Ferch]

The Mann/ Mahle ( ?) OC-54 mimics the previous oil filters available through Porsche, the ones made in Austria...and are to be preferred. It has a ".00" as the last digits if purchased as a Porsche part number.

The later replacement from Porsche is the ".01" suffix...is made in the USA....and is definitely a cheaper unit. I don't even know if it has the same foot-valve as the original one has.

If I can't find ".00"...I grab the OC-54 which is the same.... safer that way, and not too expensive either.

-Wil

[Tom F2]

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
The Mann/ Mahle ( ?) OC-54 mimics the previous oil filters available through Porsche, the ones made in Austria...and are to be preferred. It has a ".00" as the last digits if purchased as a Porsche part number.

The later replacement from Porsche is the ".01" suffix...is made in the USA....and is definitely a cheaper unit. I don't even know if it has the same foot-valve as the original one has.

If I can't find ".00"...I grab the OC-54 which is the same.... safer that way, and not too expensive either.

-Wil

What about the quality of the filter material?