onthehunt wrote:
The problem I have with using anything but the oem filter is the filter construction. All the aftermarket filters for the crd are the same filters for the 3.7 engine. I've cut my original filter after first oil change and it is not the same as a regular car oil filter. If you went to the dealer to buy filters for a crd and a 3.7 they would give you two different filters. WHY??? Because they are made for two different engines with completely different filter specs. Just look at size, bypass valve opening psi, and flow rating. They are all over the board- not a single one is the same for the aftermarket filters. This leads me to believe the manufactures just made the filter for the 3.7 and put the crd engine on the list because it happens to fit. A crd filter has to last 9000 more miles than a 3.7 filter. Think of the additional filtration capacity,ability to withstand many more oil pulses without disintigrating, and soot control it has to endure. A generic filter for the 3.7 will not cut it for me. From now on it will be an oem filter for me. I've actually got myself feeling bad about the $14 K&N I installed after the first oil change! I should have known better after I looked at the oem after removing it and really looking at it. I should also say I've never bought an oem oil filter in my life because I never saw the need, until now.
The factory filter on mine was made in Italy and used a separate gasket. It had a different part number than the filter stocked in dealerships or referenced in the owners manual. It appeared bullet proof and was about twice as heavy as the replacement I put on.
When you say oem, do you mean your dealer stocks the Italian made filter that was installed by the engine manufacturer? If so, I'd sure like to get some.