So I bought a new OEM filter for my 2018 ES 350 and the new one is about 1 inch thicker than the old one. The new one fit fine, but is this normal?

 

According to the lexus parts catalog both parts fit 6th gen ES350. But if you just enter your car and then look for the air filter you only get the 0P051 option. So the new filter is definitely correct - not sure how you ended up with the thinner one.

 

Reading the description from the seller on ebay how sells thousands of authorized parts it says the new filter is now thinner in depth and thats how toyota makes them now.

 

 

Still a question why YZZ11 was used.

 

What do you mean? Its the one they make now I bought it on ebay.

 

If you go to the official lexus parts catalog (parts.lexus.com) and try to find a filter to your car you get the 0P051. So should any dealer. So the question is who installed YZZ11 in your car and why did they pick this part number. Was it you just buying it off ebay by searching for "ES350 air filter"?

A bigger question is why lexus has two separate part numbers that supposedly fit the same car.

 

I bought it from ebay. Toyota Lexus Engine Air Filter 17801-YZZ11 Genuine OEM | eBay

IDK as you posted the depth of the filter just got smaller.

 

OK, answering my own question here. To compete with aftermarket part suppliers Toyota has created a line of MVP (Market Value Parts) products. While technically still being the "oem" parts those are cheaper alternatives to the parts installed from the factory.

So:
178010P051 - the proper part, MSRP $31
17801YZZ11 - the cheaper MVP alternative, MSRP $21

Look at the attached PDF for the regular and MVP air filters (use Avalon as a proxy for ES350). Note that Toyota does not allow using MVP parts when repairing cars under warranty!!! Toyota would rather pay more than use their own MVP crap.

https://www.siennachat.com/attachmen...017-pdf.55557/

 

Ok, but is part # 178010P051 available anymore? They said they stopped making them 2 years ago per you're message a few posts back.

 

Looking at the guys ebay website, I could have got the better original part for the same price.. I didn't know.

*** EDIT *** Actually scrap that, he only has the cheaper filter. I can only find a few of the original better filter for like $35 instead of the cheaper one I got for $25... Oh well I will change it every year or 10k-12k miles.

 

Good video on this topic. Basically be careful when buying "AZ" and "YZZ" parts - those are not true OE parts. The exception is the oil filter - it seems to only be available in YZZ form.

 

The bulletin I quoted was about Toyota stopping making the thicker version of cheaper the YZZ11 filter (it used to be the same thickness as the OE filter). The true OE filter 0P051 is still available and is same thickness as always.

https://www.google.com/search?q=toyo...h=841&tbm=shop

 

Same thing exist with the Cabin filter. They have diffrent cost ones.