fram oil filter

It is the matter of availability. I prefer Mann, Hengst over Bosch and other brands... If you mail order your filters, you will find it even cheaper. You just need to find a Canadian online part supplier to avoid custom fee.

I used a Fram filter instead of Bosch for a number of oil changes and after a few of these (more convenient to get filter) I found my oil pressure not maxing out above idle or even high rpm ..... scared the h... out of me since I was in the middle of nowhere. Continued to drive and all seemed OK .. no funny smells etc. eventually got home and changed the filter. what happend it appears is that the bypass valve opened ..... this has never happend to ME with a Bosch ... so caveat emptor as usual.

cheers

It's not just availability. Fram doesn't filter as well.

OK, but not as good, IMHO. You'll never notice the difference - the engine's life may be shortened by less than 1%.

As it's now installed, and if you are concerned, you may want to consider moving up the next oil change, say to 80% of the usual interval.

It's annoying to be given an unrequested substitute BUT the shop charged only the FRAM price!

"It's annoying to be given an unrequested substitute BUT the shop charged only the FRAM price! "

I don't think it's even an unrequested substitute. In general, when you take your car in for service, unless you specifically request certain parts, they are free to use whatever aftermarket parts that they choose. I do my own oil changes on the MB, but on other cars I've taken in to repair shops, I've never had any expectations of what particular manufacturer's filter they would use.