So i was changing my oil this weekend, and everything was dandy. Then i noticed that something didn't seem right about the oil filter. it was the same wix57078 part number that i always buy, but it seemed less....fleecey. Sure enough, the original looks completely different than the one bought. They both fit, but cosmetically they look different, and the new one felt like 100% paper! very upsetting. Anyone else notice this? I know i'm not crazy because if you find the part on oreily's website, it is the updated one. Did wix change their filter on us??

NEW:

Original:

 

Bought a case direct from Mercedes-Benz recently and they are just as you described. Haven't run them yet but was curious myself...

 

Last time I got one it was no longer a re-branded Made in Germany part, but rather a Made in China filter. It seemed to still be fleece, though, and besides some slight manufacturing differences looked like the German one I removed.

I guess that's the danger of getting re-stamped generics - they can swap them out under us whenever they want!

 

A filter made in China? From the same people who have been found putting plastic in dog food?

I'll stick with buying them locally, where I can take them outta the box before I open my wallet, and see the German markings on them.
$12 for a filter? Fine with me - if it is of the quality I expect.

 

Mann-branded filters on Amazon are under $10 - I think I'm going to go that route moving forward. In this case it's better to have a real brand and get what I'm expecting than to have to guess which re-stamped generic I got.

The Wix deal was nice while it lasted but there are at least 3 possibilities for which filter is in the box now, and 2 of them are probably not good.

 

I am fine with a Mann filter for $12 or $14 at the local store. But I DO buy my oil online - only 'cause you can't buy Mobil 1 5W-50 A N Y W H E R E.