MK5 VW Golf genuine filter or OEM spec...??

JustAnotherSaver

It's time to do my sisters oil change on her Golf (2.0 tdi 140bhp version).

In the past I've always either bought direct from VW or got genuine from AVS. This time I tried genuine from eBay as sometimes it's cheaper once you factor in any sellers offering free postage.

The filter I bought is item no: 183309086370.

Compare that to a website selling genuine parts (top listing).

Unless I'm being blind (possible!) it says genuine, it doesn't say the photo used may be different to what you get & the photo they use is identical to the filters I've had in the past. It was the cheapest (genuine) one I found on eBay so I went ahead.

When it arrived it wasn't what the listing showed.

It arrived in VW packaging that looks like this.

And once opened, the filter looks like this. With the same lettering stamped on the end as shown in that listing image. See the difference with the paper slats?

Now i'm not saying this filter wont fit. It looks like the same dimensions & probably will fit. I've had these filters before for someone elses car I did the filters on who weren't bothered about having genuine parts or not & they just feel less, i don't know how to describe it, 'substantial' if you get me?

But that's not the point. Had I known what I was going to get I'd have opted for a different listing.

My sisters actually left it 2 years since her last service as she was going to replace the car so I'm just here really to check - am I wrong? Have VW started using these kinds of filter as their genuine ones?

Or is it OEM spec as I suspect & the seller is then just calling it genuine?

Ibrahim5

VW don't make filters. They are made by Mann. So you can buy a Mann or insist on genuine VW which is a Mann in a VW box which they charge much more for.

KimJongUn88

Does the filter have VW AG and the VW part number printed on it like  the second photo? If so, it’s genuine. You’ll also see the smaller MANN logo printer on it which confirms what Fred has said above.

JustAnotherSaver

KimJongUn88 said:

Does the filter have VW AG and the VW part number printed on it like  the second photo? If so, it’s genuine. You’ll also see the smaller MANN logo printer on it which confirms what Fred has said above.

As I say, the filter looks identical to the final link, as in totally identical.

So why then do some filters look like the first link with the paper-like element being all zig-zag and feeling more 'dense' if you get me? Which are what I've always had when i've bought 'genuine'

And other filters look like the final link - with the paper element being just total straight lines, feeling well, less dense, and what i've always received when buying non-genuine?

[Deleted User]

I think the bigger problem is how much money you wasted chasing the so called "genuine" oil filter, especially on a car that hasn't been serviced for 2 years, any oil filter is better than a 2 year old one.

I'd trust a Bosch one any day and only £3.87 with free next day delivery:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-1457429192-Oil-Filter-Element/dp/B005MN7BMA

The Mann one for £5.70 which is probably identical to the one you bought minus the expense VAG logo and probably the exact one fitted by VW if they serviced it:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MANN-FILTER-Mann-HU-719-Engine/dp/B0025272PW

If you really want the pleated one then Purflux make that one - and you can get it for £5.27 but delivery costs are excessive. I think there were the original supplier from France for VW way back but then they change to Mann at a later date for the same filters.
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/purflux/1309893

You can even pick up a Mahle for £2.36 (reduced from £4.29) from Eurocarparts which is a reputable brand

Tranboy

Considering how important regular oil and filter changes are on a diesel I'd say 2 years is a long time. Buy a Mann filter and decent oil from eurocarparts or carparts4u.

Bigwheels1111

Peugeot use Mann filters for air and oil, purflux for fuel.
Her is a pic of the air filters, Peugeot and Mann.
Peugeot want best part of £50 at the dealer, £15 on eBay. Mann from Amazon was less than £3.

Ibrahim5

The prices of Mann filters at carparts4less or eurocarparts have gradually been increasing over the years. The last few purchases I have made from GSF which have been significantly cheaper.

JustAnotherSaver

Yes agreed, Mann have been going up in price .... but then hasn't everything?

Things will go up in price & then other things will be a case of hmm everything is going up so let's bump the price on top of the price bump to really take the piddle.

I try to stay away from EuroCarParts where possible. Not a rule but I try to get elsewhere if I can. Reason being the amount of times I've had to get back in touch with them and say you've sent the wrong part is pretty ridiculous, so it just got to the point of saying well forget you then.

With the oil, almost always buy from Opie Oils though have been finding Demon Tweaks I think it is, eBay account to be cheaper for same lately.

Ibrahim5

I think the internet made an enormous difference to parts prices by introducing competition. I am paying no more for oil filters now than I did in the 1980s.

Grey_Critic

But not having been serviced for two yeatrs does that not mean the warranty is no longer valid plus DIY services are not normally accepted.