I am posting this here since it is going in the 2003 Malibu and not the Bonneville.

Anyhow, by Friday the car should be hitting 200,000kms and it is due for an oil change. I wanted to put a good filter on this time to see if I can feel or hear any difference with the car. I was looking at the Valvoline Max Life filters, that are labeled right on them "engineered by purolator" for about 9,99$ and while I was there I figured I would see about the K&N oil filters, which run at about twice the price.

I run Mobil 1 full synthetic in that car, and with all the talk about crappy oil filters, I can bet I have a crappy one in my car. I usually have to change my oil every 2 months, BUT since it is all HWY I go 10,000kms between changes. My owners manual says that with HWY I can do 12,000kms, but at 10,000kms, it is perfect to rotate my tires. Remember that is KMS, NOT MILES.


I know that the Purolator Pure 1 filters are probably the best filter for the price, but I am not sure who carries them, and I am away from home. When I get back in town Friday, I hope to go directly to get the oil changed.

Is it really worth getting a filter at twice the price ( K&N) or just get the Max life filter? Or should I not bother with either and track down a Purolator Pure 1 filter, or even a WIX??

Any thoughts?

get a Wix filter if you are looking for the best of the best

A purolator P1 is a great filter some say it'* a little restrictive(flow) from all the media that
they put in there filters but nothing segnificant has ever been posted,,so it'* up to the
counsumer to decide on that....

A K&N,,,,,,,not worth the extra $$$$$ in my eyes,again these filters have not been
proven to be worth the extra $$ they charge compared to others,,it does tho have
good media and flow capabilitys,,but just not worth the $$ compaird to other good
filters..

I've now switched from my beloved AC Delco to Napa Gold(made by WIX) or Wix
and Mobil 1 filters,,very fine filters that do a gread job filtering your oil,and besides
the M1 the NG'* are very reasonable. and have a silicone ADBV,,K&N'* don't.

Max life seems to be a good one too,,, looks like a purolator inside,,i'd use one

and stick with you mobil-1 syn. great oil,,, and;

just don't use FRAM!!!!
or a Ecore

mind you this is my personal observation on these,,others may vary

Yeah, don't forget the Ecore is made by Champion Labs.

I thought purolator (sp?) was a champ lab product too, but I must be wrong. Go WIX!

The only thing extra that K&N does is it has an anti drain back valve. In english, the valve keeps the oil up in the motor so you initial dry start time is less.

They ALL have that...

I called one of the local auto parts stores ( local when I am home), that I just happen to have programmed into my cell phone and they carry wix filters, and they run about 6$. So on my way home tomorrow, I will swing by and grab a wix, before I get the oil changed.

good choice brother ......

For 6$, I don't know why I haven't been using them. I think I am going to recommend that the place I get my oil changed, keep 1 or 2 on hand for when I get my oil changed. Unless they can't get them from their supplier, then I will just bring it in myself.

Glad to have a garage that allows me to bring my own oil and filter, lol.

I guess he doesn't say much, cause when I bring a car in, if it needs fixing, I get it done and don't bitch about it. Sometimes there is something that can last a bit longer, but I usually gt it changed "while it is on the hoist, you might as well...", lol.


On a side note, the new Grey Bonneville went in today to get the AC checked. Looks like it needs a new rad first. Also the high side hose is finished, so I "might as well" take the new hoses off the white car, and the new compressor, and the freon, etc...

Basically he told me the rad needs to be fixed, and of course, I said can you have it fixed by tomorrow, lol. Sure enough he will find one in the morning.

Really