How good is the Mann filter?

ALCO

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2002
Location
Port Perry, Ontario, Canada
TDI
1999 A3 Jetta, silver/2005 B5 Passat, silver
Mann oil filters seem to get good reviews on the forum. I bought the Mann W840/2, as specified on their German website(for the AHU engine) and compared to the OEM filter #068115561E. The Mann is made in Germany and the OEM is made in France. Here they are, side by side.
If I managed to load the picture correctly, you can see difference's in the inlet holes...4 on the Mann, 6 on the OEM. The Mann also seems to lack an anti-drainback valve. These are not the same filters. Price for the OEM, before tax, was $22.90, the Mann was $20.40. I saved around $3 for a filter that I hesitate to use. What a deal!
 
M

mickey

Guest
VW issues a specification, and then buys filters from whoever meets that specification the cheapest. I doubt very seriously that there is one OEM supplier for all their filters! Mann is sometimes the supplier...sometimes not.

Generally speaking, "Made in Germany" parts for German cars are excellent.

-mickey
 

Dieselfreak

Veteran Member
Joined
May 24, 2000
Location
Mt. Vernon, Wa.
TDI
1998 Jetta, red. 1998 Jetta, black. 2002 Golf, black. 2003 Golf, red. 1999.5 Golf, red. 2005 Golf, red.
I get Baldwin filters from my local Chevron oil distributor for 5.49 plus tax. These are also a very good high quality filter. I don't know if shipping would be cost prohibitive or not but I would be happy to ship them up to you if you like.
 

MayorDJQ

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Location
Williamstown, Mass
TDI
'10 Golf 2dr 6m, sold.
I used to put Mann filters on my old Rabbit Diesel and my Audi Diesel. Seemed to always work well. That particular filter did have an anit-drainback valve, but I don't know about the units for the TDI.
 

gardentender

RIP, Gone But Not Forgotten
Joined
Feb 17, 2000
Location
Dullest Texxus
TDI
Jetta GL 5 spd, 2001, Galactic Blue
for my TDI, i've seen Mann Filters made in Germany, Spain and Austria.
while VW subcontracts out to Mann for some OEM filters, it appears that Mann, sub-subcontracts out to various suppliers, too.
nothing earthshaking here.
 

MacGyver

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2000
Location
SW Ont, Canada
TDI
1997 Jetta, black
I would presume the Mann would meet or exceed specs, and be more than safe to use. They don't have to look identical to perform properly. Mann is definitely a good product.
That is a helluva price though.
I use Baldwin B114's I get local for ~$7cdn + tx, I could bring some to the T.O. gtg on the 19th or you should be able to get some local to you too...email them & find your local dealer.
They have the right pressure relief, unlike Hastings. Pays to check specs...
 

Joe Golf

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2001
Location
Vero Beach Florida
TDI
2017 Passat 1.8T
I noticed that the IMPEX site shows only a cartridge [filter element] for the TDI and a filter can [disposable] for the gasser. What am I missing here?
 

Turbo Steve

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 11, 2000
Location
.
Joe:

Generally speaking, the A-3 TDI's use the spin-on filter and the A-4's get the larger cartridge media without metal wrapped around it.

ALCO's AHU TDI is an A-3 and you are correct that your 2002 TDI needs the filter cartridge and not the traditional spin-on style.
 

ALCO

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2002
Location
Port Perry, Ontario, Canada
TDI
1999 A3 Jetta, silver/2005 B5 Passat, silver
Thanks for the offers to ship/bring filters, but I'm OK for now...got a few in the garage. Having just gone out of warranty I can look around for alternatives to the dealer-stocked filters. They are an outrageous price! And I change them every 6,000 km's...probably too fussy (read anal) but it's a critical maintenance item.
Checked Balwin's website but they keep coming up with the Jetta 4, no matter whether I put in '99, '98, '97... but I'll figure it out. Also have a couple of 068115561B's left from my '95 Turbo Diesel. I wonder what's the difference between the "B" and the "E" aside from slight diameter difference and big price difference?
 
Top