If you visit the MB discussion boards, you will be hard pressed to find anyone recommending any oil filter other than the Mann (OEM for the MB). A few may recommend the Hastings. But very few.
When I was in Walmart a few months ago I opened the boxes for the Fram Ultra and Mobil 1 equivalent filters to the Mann that goes on my SL550, and examined the filters. The Mobil 1 wasn't anything special, but the Fram Ultra really impressed me. So I mentioned that here on BITOG. I quickly got chastised and told that if I cared about the engine in my SL550, I would stay with the Mann. Apparently the Fram Ultra cartridge filters have a reputation for tearing, just like the Purolator filters. Well, not just like the Purolator. The pictures that were shared showed the Fram Ultra filters tearing along the glue line. I'll see if I can find the discussion and post a link. You may want to see the pictures before you consider a Fram Ultra cartridge filter.