Melissa Mourkas wrote:
>
> Dear listees:
>
> I have recently aquired an '81 Westy (Hildie) and an authentic '36 German
> mechanic (Albert).
>
> Recently, Hildie and I visited Albert for an oil change, among other
> winterizing chores.  Albert prefers to use an oil filter which is
> actually spec'ed for the Rabbit/ Jetta/ Golf: it's a little taller and
> narrower, easier to remove (he claims), same screw fitting.  Because he
> is such a cantankerous ol' curmudgeon, who really seems to know his
> stuff, I allowed him to install a Mann Filter, W719/5, spec'd for the
> Rabbit/ Jetta/Golf.  He assures me it has the same volume capacity as the
> Vanagon-specified VW or Mann brand filter.  Albert sold me an extra
> filter for half-price so I could have it handy. What a guy, eh?!
>
> My questions for the list are:
> 1.  Was I sold a bunch of bull....?
> 2.  Is he a flake?
> 3.  Is this just an inventory reduction move on his part?
> 4.  Does any of this really matter in light of world hunger, global
> warming and loss of plant & animal habitat?
>
Although I do not know the answer, my reaction would be scepticism.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking all German mechanics must be good
just because they are German, or that all German mechanics know about
Vanagons just because they are German.