I just recieved 4 90915-YZZD3 oil filters from Sewell, and i was in for a surprise. The filters themselves were in Toyota packaging, the filters say Denso on them as well. But they were made in Thailand, had a different base plate than the Japanese filters, and standard pleated media. I went to my local Toyota dealer to confirm this, as they usually get YZZBx and YZZAx filters. They too are getting Thai-made D3s. I wonder what is up with that...

 

lexus changed the part numbers and supplies mid december.

 

how much did you pay for the filters that were made in Thailand? And for the ones that we made in Japan?
Any difference in practice?

 

Does this mean our beloved 90915-20004 filters are no longer available? Has anyone been able to acquire these filters recently, since January 1?

 

My local Toyota dealer chargers $5, i ordered mine off Sewell Lexus for $27/4.

 

These might be a good replacement if you can't get a hold of 20004.
TRD filter 00602-90915-007 replaces 90915-20004 if your interested.
Over the internet for $7.58, it's basically the same price.

http://www.trdperformance.com/accessories/filters.htm

 

too expensive for me.

 

I'd get it if it was a repackaged 20004. But I'm guessing it's just a glorified version of one of the cheaper Toyota filters.

The Toyota dealer had plenty of them when I bought some 90915-20004 filters last November. I would've bought a lot more if I knew it was being phased out.

 

i bought out all 2 20004 filters my dealer had.

 

I've been in-out of this filter discussion. Are these new replacements of poor quality? Is there another filter that is a suitable substitute?

 

Folks:

That's called "outsourcing", "globalization", "squeezing cost out". It's the way of this shrinking world. I paid $35 for an oil filter for my Amarican made marine diesel. However, when I opened the the bright red box (the company colors of the diesel manufacturer), the filter within was silver with Asian characters all over it -- no english. Obviously, they found a cheaper source -- same quality --better price.

Do we really believe the Lexus filters are better? Do they offer better filters for Lexus than a Toyota Tercel? Come on folks, you know they don't. It's called "marketing", and we buy into it. Do we believe the Pennzoil Walmart provides in a $15 oil change is of lesser quality than the oil Lexus uses? I'm reminded of a fellow worker years ago who bought the next better model Chevrolet, because he thought it would have a better quality engine*&^%$(*&

We Lexus owners have a tendency to become addicted to our dealers, and their offerings.

Bill

 

Not all Lexus owners are so easily duped, which is why a lot of us come to CL to exchange information rather than rely on stealerships.

The 20004 had many fans, but it sure cost a lot and I'd rather put the money into changing the oil more often and if you do that, the type of filter you use starts to become moot.

For those interested, there's quite a bit of discussion on the 90915-YZZD1, 90915-YZZB1, 20004 and other oil filters on the www.bobistheoilguy.com web page.


Pics of disassembled 90915-YZZD1

 

Perry, thanks for posting that.

I'm undecided on the new replacement. I called Kendall Lexus in Eugene and the gal told me they sold the last of the 20004 last week.

In a side thing, I bought a factory engine air filter and am going to dump the K&N. As of late, the negative aspects of this filter are becoming more prominent. (I don't want to change this discussion, it was right there with Bob is the oil guy so it was timely for me.)

 

I've used the YZZ-D1, made in thailand filters (replacements for the 90915-YZZB9's and such that go on V6's etc) about 15 times now and i can say they are doing just fine.

 

I know FRAM has been labelled cheap and crappy, and most sites that review them always say "do not use their oil filters" but has anyone tried the X2 series filter? The lower grade fram oil filters suck, its true, but the X2 is much bigger, advertises much better filtering quality and is rated to effectively filter 7,000 miles. It does cost about $9, more than the standard filter... but I must say, my oil tends to stay yellow for quite a while and only when it hits 3,000 miles and I change it does it actualy start to turn the lightest brown... I would say its a decent quality filter, but Ive never read a review on THAT actual filter, just the cheaper frams.

Yes, the K&N drop in filter for our cars is useless. Dyno tests showed the Toyota filter provides the best filtration AND horsepower while using a stock airbox setup.