[medianjoe]

I thought I live in a clean city but I was wrong. The air filter at 22,000 miles interval was full of soot. Previous air filter was genuine OEM 16546-ED000 but I chose Mahle LX1631 this time. Both filters match 100%, size, thickness, and quality but the price is $26 vs $6.79 per a filter.

Checked the serpentine belt. Tensioner mark was located at the end (62k miles).

Washed the engine room with a garden hose. I used a leaf blower to blow the water off. It worked great! Better than a compressed air gun.

 

[SkylineDreamz]

Looking good! Except that old filter. Nasty lol

 

[ptatohed]

I wouldn't wait 22k mi to change the air filters.

In my 3.0t maintenance spreadsheet, I indicate that manufacturer recommendation is 30k mi but it is recommended to replace (or clean) them every 10 - 15k miles.

 

[djrice123]

Filters: visually they look the same but where the difference matters is filtration. But it could very well be Mahle making the filters for Nissan but just not stamping the PN# on them. But end of day, whatever is best for your car and your wallet.

Case in point, Mercedes blower motor for a vehicle. OEM part is $699. Aftermarket Mahle part is $111 (On Worldpac it did say Mahle was OEM) I took both out of the box and verified. The aftermarket part was identical, even the PN# stamping and PN#s on it, but where it was different was where the OEM PN# on the sticker was, it was cut off. Where as the OEM one, had the OEM PN# sticker on it. Which leads me to believe, both come from same factory, made the same way. When it goes into the MB OEM box, keep the sticker, charge them $699. When you throw it into the aftermarket box, charge $111 LOL

 

[ptatohed]

Filters: visually they look the same but where the difference matters is filtration. But it could very well be Mahle making the filters for Nissan but just not stamping the PN# on them. But end of day, whatever is best for your car and your wallet.

Case in point, Mercedes blower motor for a vehicle. OEM part is $699. Aftermarket Mahle part is $111 (On Worldpac it did say Mahle was OEM) I took both out of the box and verified. The aftermarket part was identical, even the PN# stamping and PN#s on it, but where it was different was where the OEM PN# on the sticker was, it was cut off. Where as the OEM one, had the OEM PN# sticker on it. Which leads me to believe, both come from same factory, made the same way. When it goes into the MB OEM box, keep the sticker, charge them $699. When you throw it into the aftermarket box, charge $111 LOL

I admit it's 1:20am on a Friday night and I might have had one too many mixed drinks. But, still, after reading everything twice, I have no idea what you are saying. : o /

 

[SkylineDreamz]

He’s saying, which is true of most things, that a lot of generic brands are made on the same assembly line and with the same materials as the name brand.

 

[rpiotro]

He’s saying, which is true of most things, that a lot of generic brands are made on the same assembly line and with the same materials as the name brand.

I'm waiting for Kirkland parts.

 

[medianjoe]

After two weeks

Filters: visually they look the same but where the difference matters is filtration. But it could very well be Mahle making the filters for Nissan but just not stamping the PN# on them. But end of day, whatever is best for your car and your wallet.

Case in point, Mercedes blower motor for a vehicle. OEM part is $699. Aftermarket Mahle part is $111 (On Worldpac it did say Mahle was OEM) I took both out of the box and verified. The aftermarket part was identical, even the PN# stamping and PN#s on it, but where it was different was where the OEM PN# on the sticker was, it was cut off. Where as the OEM one, had the OEM PN# sticker on it. Which leads me to believe, both come from same factory, made the same way. When it goes into the MB OEM box, keep the sticker, charge them $699. When you throw it into the aftermarket box, charge $111 LOL

It could be just a same look. I trust MANN filter and I expect similar quality in Mahle's as both are German brands. The filter I installed was made in Philippine. It's acceptable for me as it's not China LOL.

It's been two weeks since I replaced the filter. The car hesitated a little while accelerating before the replacement but I can feel it's gone now. I know it could be a psychological effect.

 

[SkylineDreamz]

I doubt it’s psychological. I’ve been in vehicles that would stall because the air filter was so dirty that the engine was literally suffocated.

 

[Pillboy]

I forgot to change the air filter in my wife's car at the recommended 30k and didn't get around to it until a little over 40k. Had no drivability issues, psychological or real.

Image uploading. Refresh page to view

 

[Avedis53]

I forgot to change the air filter in my wife's car at the recommended 30k and didn't get around to it until a little over 40k. Had no drivability issues psychological or real.

View attachment 104605

Those look like they're for a Sears wet/dry shop vac.

 

[jcb]

Damn pillboy - sure that wasn't 400k miles? That is one nasty looking dirty filter! Where is she driving it - Baha?