Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:18:02 -0400
Reply-To: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject: Re: Oil Filter Options??
In-Reply-To: <0KL1008WMMON05AC@vms173017.mailsrvcs.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> I know it doesn't help now, but for the future, buy in bulk
> from Autohaus. They have Mann, Mahle, etc. for about 3 or $4.
> http://tinyurl.com/l6s82y
This recently came up on the Samba. Autohausaz lists the WRONG oil filter
for the Vanagon. They list the 056115561G, which is a Golf/Jetta filter.
While it will physically fit, it does not have the proper anti-drainback
valve. Mahle themselves have gone on record stating that it cannot be safely
used on a Vanagon and will harm the engine over the long term. (The actual
note from Mahle can be found in the archives.) Then they list a Bosch one
which is not a Bosch at all but an aftermarket filter relabeled by Bosch.
(Made by Fram, I believe; again, refer to the archives.) Hidden among all
of the wrong ones, if you can find it, they do list the correct filter, but
not at a great price. They charge $4.90; we charge $4.29.
http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=070115561
Issues like this are commonly reported on the Samba and elsewhere. In fact
there was another one on the Samba just this week. Generally speaking, it
can be risky ordering Vanagon parts from websites that don't specialize in
these unique vehicles. You need to know what you're buying, as their online
catalogs are often full of errors. You can get parts that either don't fit,
or are ill-advised for use on your Vanagon even if they will bolt up (like
these oil filters that Mahle specifically says NOT to put on your Vanagon).
Also, since they don't drive Vanagons themselves and don't talk to many
Vanagon owners, these companies often don't know enough to weed out the
junk. There are some parts I just wouldn't sell to my customers, but lo and
behold they've got them at "too good to be true" pricing.
And for all that, you don't even save money. Not long ago a Samba thread
compared vendor pricing between the Bus Depot, GoWesty, Van-Café, and
Autohausaz across a number of items. Compared apples-to-apples, Autohaus
came in second; Bus Depot came in lowest. (And that was before the list
discount, which takes you down another 5%.)
- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot, Inc.
www.busdepot.com
(215) 234-VWVW
_____________________________________________
Toll-Free for Orders by PART # : 1-866-BUS-DEPOT
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