Fram oil filter CH2930 is the part number called out for the MB 85 300D. However, when I inserted it in the oil filter housing during an oil change, I could not replace the cover. It seems to be too tall by a smigin. I bought an STP oil filter and compared the two filters and sure enough the STP was slightly shorter. The STP fitted. I measured the Fram filter with my metric ruler and it measured approximately 194mm metal to metal. Anyone have a similar experience? Anyone using the Fram without issues?

 

Hi could you not check it against the old one you removed , rule of thumb Check every part against the old one.

 

The old oil filter is gone but it was an STP filter. Next oil change I'll try to remember to look in the oil filter housing with a flashlight to see if anything is preventing proper seating. In the past I've used either Mann or Mahle (don't remember which) without a problem as far as fit. The Fram has a plastic/rubber gasket/grommet on the bottom about an inch in diameter that doesn't seem to be very flexible and adds about 1 mm in height. Next oil change I'll see if a different filter has a more flexible gasket/grommet.

 

Thanks for the heads up on Fram oil filters. I see someone posted a youtube video on his Fram filter that came apart in his oil filter housing, so another reason to use a good filter. Thanks for the links to Baldwin and Hastings oil filters. I ordered a Mann filter yesterday before I saw your post and I still have a couple of Fram filters. I'll just shorten the time between oil changes with those filters (provided I can actually use the Fram) and then convert over to Baldwin or Hastings.

 

The 2 Fram CH2930 oil filters, both the boxes and the filters themselves are marked 'Made in Turkey'. I bought them perhaps 2 years ago from RockAuto.

The Mann PF1055/1 oil filter came in yesterday. It is marked 'Made in Czech Republic' on both the box and filter.

As I previously noted, I measure the Fram at 194mm metal to metal.
I measure the Mann 189mm metal to metal. The Mann's topside gasket/grommet extends above the metal rim a bit (the Fram's topside gasket/grommet does not). But the additional height of the Mann filter should have no effect on fit as the cover of the oil filter housing is bowed up in the center top. So either the Fram filter is too tall or I'm not seating it correctly.

My next oil change isn't due for awhile. I suspect the Fram is too tall.