What filters to use?

[Rattnalle]

Bosch filters aren't made in the USA and don't come in yellow boxes
(Gotta love when brands don't get their own value and start selling down-market stuff under their upmarket brand..)

Apart from that I use any of the regular premium brands like Mahle, Mann, Euro-Bosch without worrying about it. And I've used low price own brand filters without issue again but since they cost the same I don't really see the point

[WhatAmIDoing]

I've had the Bosch yellow series (Made IN USA I may add) cartridge filters actually break apart and get holes well within the service interval. I documented this in the maintenance log here on MVS for my 2002 XC70.

I like K& N oil filters for the 1992-1998 engines because they are bigger (longer by about 15mm) and allow the wrench to access it far more easily. Does this mean it filters better? Who knows, but if you believe the marketing hype they produce they are a very good filter.

I really like the wrench off design of the K&N oil filters. I buy K&N when I forget to add a Mann filter to my FCP order. Based on the "scientific" testing I've seen on youtube, the K&N oil filters are well built and do a very good job. Also, K&N oil filters are built for "turbo spec", whatever that means. The suckers hold a full quart of oil and then some as well.

[erikv11]

... I really like the wrench off design of the K&N oil filters. I buy K&N when I forget to add a Mann filter to my FCP order. Based on the "scientific" testing I've seen on youtube, the K&N oil filters are well built and do a very good job. Also, K&N oil filters are built for "turbo spec", whatever that means. The suckers hold a full quart of oil and then some as well.

Good points, I agree about K&N. I have so many Mann filters stockpiled that I rarely use K&N on my Volvos, but for everything else (the Camry, MIL's car, etc) I go with K&N.

[amblerman]

I have a 99 s70 which uses the old metal style oil filters. I believe would be the same for your 98.
You would need to verify part numbers below. I doubt there is a difference for things items between your 98 and my 99 but you should verify that yourself.

For my car, I have a stash of Mahle oc204 and Mann w917. I chose those based on other people's recommendations and they seem like decent filters. The housings are quite stout feeling vs other filters for my other non-volvo cars.

The Mann filter is still made in Europe (Germany I believe) vs a lot of other Mann branded filters here in the US that are now either made in Mexico or might be just re-boxed Purolators since they are all one company now.
I have no way of knowing how well the filtering media actually works but I feel confident in using either the Mann or Mahle. Plus, the cost of those filters for me is so reasonable I really have no need to try other brands.

For the air filter, I have gone with the Mann C35148. It's cheap and fits well.

For cabin filters, I have noticed a difference in brands.
In my car now I have Meyle 5123200002. In my basement I have a Mann CU 2650 that I bought to get to free shipping on a larger order.
I think the Meyle is a better option here. The Meyle cabin filter has a hard plastic frame that is to be designed to snap into the Volvo Cabin Filter housing. It has locking tabs that snap into the frame and it's a tight secure fit. The Mann CU 2650 has a foam border to it and more flimsy in overall construction. It will only be held in by friction of the foam against the frame. The Mann CU 2650 is definitely for my car. It came with volvo specific instructions but it doesn't feel nearly as well made as the Meyle. The media in the Meyle also seems stronger. I'd go with the Meyle for the cabin filter.