I hear that it is best to use Audi oil filters when you perform oil change yourself, I was wondering it that indeed is a fact or if it doesn't matter as long as the filter is the right model or size?

It's for a 03 1.8T

 

cheap filters can have the element colapse then your car will just bypass it and it wont filter the oil... I use K&N oil filters cuz Im crazy like that

 

KN oil filters are the bomb OEM are always good too...........i use amsoil but prior to that used KN a few times and OEM ............

 

So do K&N or OEM make better filter than what the Audi offers at their dealers?

 

OEM is what a dealer offers (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Bosch or Mann are OEM filters.

K&N are great filters, just pricey. You can use a cheaper filter (fram, purolator), but I would not make it a habit, and I would definitely not run longer than 3000 miles on one.

 

If you use a Fram , choose the Tough Guard TG2870A.

 

brrman, was it you that posted a while back about the larger filter now available for the 1.8t? Somebody did anyway, I think it's the OEM filter for the TDI and it gives you quite a bit more surface medium than the standard one does. I'll have to search the archives for that one.

 

The oem mann filters have more filter media and pleats than purolator, fram and others "autozone" filters. I myself have been using Mahle filters.

 

Give credit where credit is due. Jestnomrn posted that thread about the larger OEM oil filter. J- could you ellaborate?

 

Not sure that I was the poster of that but here goes:
The larger oil filters were release due to the oil sludge issues, the part number is: 068-115-561-B


The new filter will require a tad big more oil overall for your changes. I think a hair over 4 quarts or so.

(picture stolen from AW)