- My model of MX-5 is: _NB 1.8_
- I’m based near: __
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __OE v aftermarket
Hello oh wise and knowledgeable folk.
I thought I would pick the collective’s brains on using genuine versus aftermarket oil filters.
Am I gaining anything by sticking to Mazda original equipment?
I bought one today but the price seemed to have risen significantly since last year ( I’ll have to check).
I’m confident aftermarket items can be bought for less but, do they do exactly the same job?
Please share your thoughts and experiences.
Cheers,
Guy
Based on 5 months experience of Mazdas and Mazda forums, for the first filter change on my ND4 I bought OEM from MX-5Parts. Price was the same as a Mahle from Opie Oils or a Bosch filter from ebay.
Aftermarket filters (or parts in general) is a broad subject. Not all aftermarket filters are equal. On the other hand Mazda (or Bosch, Mahle…) buys their oil filters from same manufacturers that provide filters to after market brands. It just slaps Mazda logo on the side and charges premium from the logo and the fact that someone is interested about quality to certain degree. Some of the aftermarket filters are better, some are just bad and some are exactly the same.
If you are like me you just buy Mazda filters because you don’t want to think about it. I’m happy to pay premium price to Mazda for a peace of mind that the filter I just bought is not a bad one. At the same time I’m way too lazy to start hunting superior (or matching) filter(s) and trying to figure out if the HyperSuperBestOilFilter -brand that is sold at my nearest aftermarket parts shop is actually a decent one (or is the specific batch on the shelf ordered from some fishy manufacturer or actually from a decent one. White label manufacturing is a Pandora’s box of its own…).
Mazda logo won’t guarantee premium, it will guarantee that the part is adequate to the engine and thats enough for me. Cheaper ones with same quality (or even better) exist. I’d argue that actually most of the after market filters are, but there are bad ones too and it’s quite hard to figure that one out just by looking the filter.
Cripes! I wish I’d looked at MX-5 parts before I bought this one.
£7.60
I just paid over £23 from my local dealer!
I shall be giving them a call I think.
I spoke to Mazda over the phone who assured me I have been charged the correct price.
Thankfully they have agreed to give me a refund.
Memo to me: always check before you buy 
I have always used Mazda genuine filters on all models I’ve owned. I strayed once and got a K&N for a competitive price for my NC. They aren’t a bad price for genuine. My daily driver I’ve always used Mahle or Mann filters, not a genuine VAG/Skoda parts, it’s been fine.
Plus you will get 10% off if you register with them that you are paid up member of the club.
Thanks Malc.
I returned the filter to Mazda for a full refund then bought one from MX-5 Parts but was so excited to get it for a much more affordable sum I completely forgot about the discount thing. 
Next time. 
Given the value of what an oil filter is protecting, seems like a no brainer for peace of mind to use OEM, no matter where you get it from 
Mazda branded oil filters are made by a variety of suppliers.
Factory and Japan market filters are from Toyo Roki.
Filters for Mazda Europe are from Mahle.
Filters for Mazda North America are from Puralator; they will be marked “Made in USA”.
I’ve done about 350,000kms on NA MX5s, Always used the Whatever brand of filter. I frequently change the oil though. Probably for the last 5 years, I’ve rarely put more than 2000 miles on a filter; the intervals have become driven not mileage driven.
As long as you avoid Fram you are good. Fram filters…well, lets just say I had a disaster once from them. Aside from that I have never noticed a difference, but then I also do regular oil changes so its possible there is some difference if there is too long of an interval
Anything from the likes of mahle etc will be fine, mazda dont make oil filters so dont get too hung up on buying main dealer parts.
Used all sorts over the years, just buy blueprint these days.
Thanks Josiah.
I like to change the oil annually and do less than 5K but I think I’ll try to avoid Fram anyway given your experience
Cheers,
Guy
Fram used to be the dogs danglies many years ago but are now owned by sogefi filters I believe so are not the same.
I generally avoid crosland too for oil, have used air/pollen from them though when putting an order in with euro car parts but i generally buy from ebay stores now such as car parts in motion.