Sources for oil filters (in the US)

[gerryvz]

I've been using Mann and Hengst filters for as long as I can remember on my MBs. The first Mann oil filter I ever remember using was on my 1984 VW Rabbit GTI, back in the 1987-1998 time frame. They were extremely difficult to find in the Seattle area at that time....

Fast-forward to the 500E/E500. While I like Mann filters, I like Hengst a bit more and try to get them when I can. Usually when I've made orders for filters at AutohauZ they have Mann in stock, albeit for a good price. A little more digging, however, comes up with Hengst filters.

I have found the absolute best prices on Hengst oil filters (for both my E500 and 560SEC) through Auto Parts Warehouse, which offers free shipping on orders more than $50. Interestingly, because they have a warehouse here in Houston (they have them all over the country) I always get orders of in-stock items the next day, as long as I order before early afternoon. Can't beat that, and the shipping is free !!

Here's the link at APW for the 500E/E500 Hengst filter (currently $11.95, no sales tax):

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/s...98.html?intcmpid=Product+Listings+Best+Seller

My only advice for you with Auto Parts Warehouse is to use a throwaway or spam-use e-mail address with your order, because they will SPAM the heck out of you with about 4-6 emails a week ! However the prices on the Hengst filters are worth a few emails in a throwaway account. I never buy ANYTHING else from APW other than the Hengst filters though.


You can also get them through Amazon for a couple bucks more, and since I have Amazon Prime (free 2-day shipping) it's also quite a good deal.

Here's the Amazon link for the Hengst 500E/E500 filter (currently $13.67, no sales tax):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030G3K9E/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER


Here's the AutohauZ link for Mann filters for the E500E (currently $7.99, no sales tax and free shipping with orders over $50):

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pr...rts, Seals & Gaskets&gid=11883@Oil Filter Kit


Cheers,
Gerry


P.S. Just for reference, the MB part number for the E500E oil filter is: 119 180 00 09 and current MSRP is ~$16.00. This filter is available as of today for $10.80 through parts.com.

http://www.parts.com/parts/index.cf...Text=1191800009+&action=oePartSearch&siteid=2

That's a pretty good price !!

 

[Bogeyman]

Gerry:
Just curious how you determine which filter is better?

Thanks

 

[gerryvz]

Personal preference leads me to like the Hengst better. But I don't recall saying one was better than the other outright.


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[gsxr]

Given that $11 for the OE Genuine MB filter is a tiny fraction of the value of the car or engine, and that 8 quarts of oil will cost $30-$100 depending on your preference, I personally have stopped messing with the M119 aftermarket engine oil filters. IMO, it's not worth saving three bucks on a $50+ oil change and wondering if the filter is as good as the OE specifications.

Now, the transmission filter is a different story, the OE MB filter is stupid expensive ($102 list, parts.com is $73) and good aftermarket filters are available for literally 1/4 the price. For those, I get aftermarket.

YMMV, etc, etc...

 

[gerryvz]

IMO, it's not worth saving three bucks on a $50+ oil change and wondering if the filter is as good as the OE specifications.

I have no problem making the case that a Mann or a Hengst filter would be "as good as the OE specifications." Not something I even give a second thought.

Gerry:
Just curious how you determine which filter is better?

As I thought about it more, the reason why I have come to prefer Hengst filters over the Mann units has been the design of the M104 oil filter. About 5 years ago, Mann went to a "bonded" or "glued" design by where they eliminated the metal/plastic end caps on the filter, and use a design where the filter element is bonded/glued to the end cap. Other brands like Hengst have retained a separate, "hard" end-cap design.

That being said, the Mann M117 and M119 filters still employ a non-bonded end-cap design.

One other reason I slightly prefer the Hengst filters (although I have continued to use Mann for various applications) is that Hengst still makes their filters in Germany. Mann seems to have outsourced production of many of its filters to various South American and Eastern European countries. This seems to be a simultaneous move with the changeover in design of the M104 filter to the aforementioned "bonded end" design.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[samiam44]

Mann is less than $5 from rockauto.

Dave which trans filter do you use?

 

[gsxr]

The only two aftermarket tranny filters I know of which are equivalent to the OE # 129-277-01-95 are Elring for about $22, and Mann for $40.

I've been using the Elring, it appears to be European made, and of decent quality. No issues so far.

 

[gerryvz]

Elring is fine and yes, European made. Interesting to see the price difference vs. OE and Mann.

Where do your source your Elrings, Dave? Via AHAZ or ?

 

[gsxr]

Yes, AHAZ has the Elring trans filters for ~$22.

 

[JordiC]

Pelican has the Elring for $21.

 

[quantumorbit]

Dealer sold me part number 0011849125 instead of 1191800009, both filters look exactly the same except for the cooper washer that was bigger. I've tried to research online what are differences but couldn't find anything. Anyone knows if this is a new updated Mercedes number? Thanks

 

[gsxr]

0011849125 is the number of the filter itself. 1191800009 is the number of the "assembly" which includes the filter, O-ring, and copper washers. AFAIK you cannot buy 0011849125 separately, it's not a valid number in MB systems.

 

[quantumorbit]

0011849125 is the number of the filter itself. 1191800009 is the number of the "assembly" which includes the filter, O-ring, and copper washers. AFAIK you cannot buy 0011849125 separately, it's not a valid number in MB systems.

That makes sense, thanks. Now the internet has the answer for others to follow!