Oil filters

[nordwulf]

There is a large choice of oil filters available and I usual take the kind that is included with the oil change special at my local auto parts store like Bosch, K&N or AC Delco. I also have used the Saab and MANN filters and there usually isn't much price difference. I like MANN because those are made in Germany but not sure if that really makes a difference.

I avoid Purolator because i have heard bad things about them. And they sell those at Walmart, the obvious place to find the cheapest products of anything. There really isn't much price difference for most filters and most only seem to differentiate between packaging and marketing talk. So I just stay with the larger brands like Bosch, K&N, Mobil, Saab or MANN.

Some brands also have regular, premium and other versions of their filter. I am also seeing oversized filters from K&N and Mahle. A search on Amazon for my 9-5 shows these filters are available.

Bosch Premium
Bosch D3330 Distance Plus
Bosch L3330 Long life
Purolator Classic
Purolator PureONE
Purolator Synthetic
Royal Purple Extended Life
K&N Pro Series
K&N Performance
Wix Spin-on
Wix Parts Master
Wix Heavy Duty
Mann
AC Delco
Fram Extra Guard
Fram Tough Guard
Fram Extended Guard
Fram High Mileage
Pennzoil Regular
Pennzoil Platinum
Mobil 1 Extended Performance
Denso
Baldwin Heavy Duty
Mahle Original
AC Delco Professional Classic

And even some more brands I have never heard of. It's crazy...! Kind of like choosing shampoo or toothpaste in the big stores.. Can't we have just 3 choices Good, Better and Best?

So... what's the best filter for our Saabs? How do you choose which one to buy?

[YellowBird]

I use Bosch, Fram and Mann. I haven't noticed much difference between them as far as performance goes. However, I tend to gravitate towards the Fram brand because of their SureGrip feature.

[nordwulf]

This is an interesting thread to read: The OFFICIAL Oil Filter Testing and Results Thread (4G63T/4B11T) - evolutionm.net

It probably doesn't make much difference if you change your filters regularly like 3000-7000 miles. With the much longer intervals up to 15K miles some manufacturers are using, using synthetic filter material like the one from Royal Purple seems to be a good choice.

[zoli]

My proposal: Mann. I have opened some of them after changing: very solid filer material and good quality valves are in (by-pass and anti-drain).

[CaptainMediocre]

Going to throw this out there why not. Napa Platinum. Synthetic wire backed media, costs around $11.

I would love to buy Amsoil filters, but Amsoil almost purposely makes it hard to buy their products. They aren't on Amazon or available at most major retailers, and I don't feel like paying shipping charges on a filter.

For me I'll go with the Napa filter mainly because there is a store 3 blocks from my house.

[MI-Roger]

I use over-sized filters on my 9-5 and Viggen. For years I would buy the Purolator PureONE PL-20195, or the Mobil-1 M1-209 if I happened upon a Mobil-1 Oil and Filter Combo sale. Lately I have noticed the Purolator filters to be very light weight with soft can shells. The Bosch that I pulled off my son's GrandAm engine last weekend was far more stout than the Purolator PureONE that went back on.

Now I need to find the Bosch equivalent to the PL20195.

The Bosch equivalents are #3422, #D3422, and #L3422 Base, Distance Plus, and Long Life filter models.

I have noticed zero difference in the open cartridge filter used on the wife's 9-3SC. All brands look identical in pleats and media.

[Dave T]

When I had my classic 900, I bought Mann filters by mail. With the 9-3SS, I used Saab filters, made by Hengst, mainly because they weren't too expensive and my low mileage driving meant they had to be changed only about once every 10-12 months. The appearance of the Saab/Hengst filter was that they looked slightly more robust but I have to objective testing data. The most robust were the 2003-2004 Saab filters with the thick media and zig zag pleats but the oil filter specifications changed such that those filters were not recommended for 2005 and later 9-3s.

[Paamf]

I've had no issues with either Mann or extended use Frame on my 2010 9-3 XWD. I get everything for her on Amazon Prime no shipping cost and everything arrives in 2 days. I have been using Aimsoil because I get 20% off which covers shipping. I was thinking of switching to Castrol fully synthetic.

[nordwulf]

Bought a Bosch Premium 3330 oil filter from AutoZone for my 9-5 and it feels like a quality filter. I think it said it was made in the USA so that's good. Only $6.95 so the price seems right.

[J McGuire]

I've tended to use AC Delco most of my life in everything from a 1974 Corvette to my 2006 Silverado and have had no complaints. Fram has been said to have got real skimpy on their filters as has the purolator basic. I'll splurge for a Mobil 1 when i get them on a oil/filter deal... otherwise Delco, MANN or Purolator PureONE. I'd use a Bosch as well, all personal taste and research. I prefer my filters made in USA or Germany, but the cut open chinese ones I have seen were of impressive build for the steel used.