I've taken to buying made in japan mazda rx8 filters for my 2015 impreza.
The Mazda filter has a higher capacity and larger design compared to the OEM Subaru filter. So, it will hang down slightly lower than OEM. The anti-drain back pressure seems to be similar, but I have never verified myself. I ran this filter on my 2005 Impreza WRX STi for a few years.
This is the one to use my guy. On my fxt the cartridge is slightly taller than subarus. So more filter material and its easier to take off because its longer.
Yes, it's absolutely worth it! in fact, I own one myself. I bought mine for $6,500 AUD with around 280,000 km on the odometer, and it's now at over 306,000 km and still going strong.
I’d high recommend doing an oil change with 10w30, putting on a factory oil filter (they’re about $10 at the dealer and come with a crush washer), and seeing how it behaves then. I recommend factory filters because for some very odd reason, I had less (or no) lifter tick when I used factory filters vs. aftermarket.
Use quality oil and filters, changing them often. To this end, oil pickup and baffle are sound upgrades.
Mazda oil filters are good but there are aftermarket filters equal and some are better than Mazda filters. Call the independent shop and ask what oil and filter they use then research it.
I changed the oil/filter at 590 miles on my 25 Forester wilderness.
I went through the same thing, I believe the part number that they gave you is the made in Mexico Mazda value oil filter. It worked on my 2.5 NA. Though in my opinion, the quality of the filter is subpar compared to the OEM made in Thailand filters.
Avoid the blue Subaru filters. They are Fram made with cheap components.
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If choosing oil filter across many manufacturers, check the part ranking. If your choice is down to two brands, the PartReview part comparisons help.
We compare oil filter across these categories:
In March 2026 on PartReview, oil filter OEM Mazda were overall better than OEM Subaru.
In March 2026 on PartReview, oil filter OEM Mazda were overall more popular than OEM Mazda.
By vote balance, oil filter OEM Mazda surpassed OEM Subaru:
By number of reviews, the manufacturers are equal:
In March 2026, according to PartReview, these manufacturers led the same number of car-specific ratings:
OEM Subaru are chosen by owners of cars such as: Subaru Impreza, and others.
OEM Mazda are chosen by owners of cars such as: Mazda 3, and others.
If this comparison didn’t fully answer your question, there are many others on PartReview.
For example, comparisons of oil filter OEM Subaru with: Fram, Mann, Wix, Mobil, K&N, Bosch, OEM Toyota, Motorcraft, OEM Volkswagen, OEM Honda.
Also available: comparisons of oil filter OEM Mazda with: Fram, Mann, Wix, Mobil, K&N, Bosch, OEM Toyota, Motorcraft, OEM Volkswagen, OEM Honda.
You can also see who is better among other oil filter manufacturers: Fram or Mann, Fram or Wix, Fram or Mobil, Fram or K&N, Mann or Wix.
