Hi guys
I am planning on changing the fuel filter this spring time on our Mk2 1.8.
A certain MX5 parts supplier want £30 for a genuine mazda part plus postage.
So are the ebay filters any good which are about £14 inc P&P?
Or does anybody know a cheaper source for a good fuel filter. I think £30 is to much even for a genuine part.
Cheers
Some people will disagree, but I would only ever consider fitting genuine filters - yes, £30 is twice the price of some of the cheaper ones, but it is quite a long lasting component.
Issues with cheap ones could cause a lot more than £15 worth of problems in the long term, and they will potentially not last as long, causing running issues.
If you insist in going aftermarket, go for the MX5parts one - they are a reputable company who specialise in the cars, who you know you can always phone if things go wrong - not somebody with a box of (stolen?) parts in their bedroom, selling on eBay!
Fair enough, you might get a powerseller or whatever, but to at least some extent, that statement still stands.
You could always phone MX5parts and see if they could do you a deal with some other (service?) parts - but I don’t think they really work to high enough profit margins to do that, but, as they say - Nothing ventured…
mmm I would like to hear others opinions but I think you may be right.
As they say You buy cheap you buy twice.
Our local motor factors can do replacements for £15 and they tend to only sell quality parts in my experience.
mmmm decisions!
Try here http://www.boundville.co.uk/fuel-filter-mx-5-mk2–mk-25-95-p.asp £11.13 delivered and OEM spec.
Have just fitted the mk1 version to mine and couldn’t tell the difference between that and the Mazda one that came off (apart from it was cleaner!)
Tony you only get what you pay for, the Mazda will have the best filtration qualiites don’t forget these filters have to filter micro particuls from the fuel, fuel tank, and fuel lines, failure to remove all the crap form the fuel you may need injectors at a later date, expence you can do without, plus abreakdown/recovery to pay for !. I would use genuine filters every time, you would not use after market oil filters would you, and I am guessing if the filter failed for some reason I am sure it would be covered by Mazda warranty, keep the invoice for prove of purchase should it fail within 12 months.
It’s false economy to not buy a genuine filter. If it’s only £15 more to get a genuine one, just do £15 worth less motoring this month.
I know how you feel but, you probabaly put £25 worth of petrol in your tank without even thinking about it.
I get the impression that there will be a lot of different views on this. Can only say that if a spare part is described as OEM it is essentially the same as a Mazda part. The only difference is that it hasn’t got Mazda on it and it doesn’t come in a blue/white box. If you want a Mazda one MX5parts look to be good value.
I don’t think that is quite correct. OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturers. (ie Mazda.in this case) To emphasize the point we all know that you should only use an OEM Mazda radiator cap, not a copy.
Hi Guys
thanks for the replies, I think getting the genuine one is the general opinion here and certainly makes sense.
But just to throw an spanner in the works.
We all know mazda dont make their own filters,radcaps,alternator etcs etc they are always manufactured to a specification by a subcontractor. ie the alternators are often produced by Bosch.
Would be great to know who makes the Fuel filter so i didnt have to pay Mazda main Fleecer prices though.
Any idea’s?
I suspect Russ meant pattern parts described as “OEM quality”.
The trouble with parts like a fuel filter is that we have no way of telling whether the pattern filter is doing any better or worse job than the Mazda branded one (unless anyone knows of a case of blocked injectors which definitely involved a non-Mazda filter, and even then, with a random sample of one, we can’t tell if it happens more or less often with a Mazda filter).
With cam cover gaskets, I definitely found the available copy parts weren’t as good - they leaked. Several people have also found non-Mazda radiator caps don’t hold pressure, although mine’s been fine.
Although I resent spending extra on Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt, I reckon with a fuel filter, although the risk of failure is low, the consequences are serious so - especially considering the thousands of pounds worth of fuel it filters - I stump up the extra with barely a grumble.
There are several ‘classes’ of part, the main ones being;
Aftermarket
Alternative Brand
OEM
OEM Quality/Specification
Genuine
As a rule of thumb;
Aftermarket = “No brand” - usually a lot cheaper, and probably does the job, but only just, and might not last as long. The radiator cap is a good example that doesn’t do the job right.
Alternative Brand = As good as, or better than Mazda, generally produced by a specialist. K&N for Air filters, EBC for brakes etc.
OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer. Not necesserily to OEM quality standards though, and not necesserily the same specification. I mean, my car came with Bridgestone Turanza tyres, therefore Bridgestone are an OEM, thus somebody could sell me a Dueler tyre as an OEM part, even though it would be more at home on a Freelander or something.
OEM Quality/Spec = As Mazda wanted, though possibly not from the original manufacturer - if it is OEM Quality though, who cares?!
Genuine = It comes in a blue & white box (or bag with label), and has been made for Mazda by somebody they are happy with, to a specifcation they are happy with.
As you say, the ideal situation would be to find the company who makes the part for Mazda, and buy it direct from them/their supplier in a little plastic bag, but without the blue&white sticker and the associated premium.
The selling price does not automatically dictate quality.
Where does it say that an over-priced Mazda fuel filter is any better than an alternate non-Mazda filter?
Fit whichever you want - it’s your choice! I went for the MX5parts “cheaper” one - no issues here!
This probably applies to all motor car manufacturers. Do they actually manufacture anything? They are more assemblers of parts manufactured to their specification.
All as clear as mud now Tony?
Hope you’ve been able to make an informed decision.[:)]
Yep absolutely. I shall be buying the OEM aftermarket pattern part genuine mazda wheel bearing…
Thanks LOL
Glad we were all able to help…[;)]
Are there no members who have some insider access to a Mazda dealer or such like? Perhaps if that was the case we could find out who makes the parts for them and get them from a different source. This was the case in a Peugeot owners club I used to be a member of. They managed to find out the manufacturer of the oil filters and could get cheaper ones than the Peugeot originals.
Oh and Russ, my wife and I have a Rav4 / MX5 combination as well. 
A wise choice Sir!
Go and buy one from Mazda it will come with 12 month parts and labour warranty,and it should be cover uk wide, should it fail due to a manufacturing fault, if you buy from the corner shop you wont get warranty just an other filter.