Agree hence South African filters.. Both are OEM! Bosh Germany.. RYCO S/Africa
Last photo shows the difference between the standard OEM filter bottom filter and the H/D Filter top filter on the same photo... Blind Freddy can see the quality in both filter and how the ends of the casings work, To this day I have never had a satisfactory ANSWER AS TO WHY
THE TWO ARE SOLD FOR THE SAME SPRINTER ENGINE.. I'M TOLD IT'S FOR THE EXTENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVALS
Not so I've been around to many places with my Sprinters Middle East use RYCO Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, down through Ethiopia Right to Johannesburg Capetown South Africa
Interesting the RYCO is a screw on type it also has a free spinning base encased within the plastic ends it's impossible to over tighten, it has a small base at the unit for sediment to collect and not into the actual filter.
OEM has a drop down filter..oil flow at base is restricted, thus increasing the risk factor of a shorter life by advancing oil changes sooner.
I'll bet there is two filter cans on the go.. both standard filters Bosch, or any of 'maybe' and the latter RYCO both approved by MB fit .
The original RYCO filter was replaced at 38 thousand kilometers the filter had little noticeable sediment caught in the fleece filtration sleeves.
I do not know if this RYCO filter is suitable for extreme cold weather conditions! However desert night are below -20 at night in the Middle east Deserts and Australia during winter periods.
Just my thoughts.
Richard