Originally Posted by rooflessVW
OE, Mann, Mahle, Hengst, Purflux.
Being new not only to cartridge type oil filters, but also to Mercedes engines, I followed the advice of many on MBWorld where I researched how to care for my new-to-me SL550. The recommendations for oil cartridge were overwhelmingly for the Mann, which is the manufacturer for the Mercedes OEM filter. In fact there are a number of pictures that show the end caps of the M-B and Mann filter side by side. The only difference is presence of the M-B tri-star on the OEM. So it was a no brainer. I ordered a couple Mann filters. Mann and Mercedes say this is a fleece filter, which according to M-B, is a must to give the protection M-B says the engine needs. It doesn't look that much like a fleece filter, but they say it is, so OK. Made in Germany, so they have got to be good, right? Everyone on BITOG says Made in Germany Mann filters are top notch.
Then on my occasional visit to Walmart I pick up the equivalent in a Fram Ultra, open the box and inspect it. What? This filter is clearly far superior to the Mann filter. Now this looks like what I would expect a fleece filter to look like. It doesn't have the number of pleats that the Mann has, but by far it makes up for that it filter media thickness. Holding it in my hand, I can feel the mass is significantly more than the Mann. It does have the glued on end caps that is so widely trash talked on every discussion board and video sharing site on the internet. But so does the Mann. In fact the end caps on the Mann are entirely made of glue.
So I'm going to use my last Mann for a mid-oil change filter exchange. But after that, it will be a Fram Ultra protecting my SL550 when I take it out for a spirited drive.