Doing an oil change with Royal Purple 0w-20. Does it matter if I use an oem filter?
 

Doing my first oil change using royal purple.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SEK9IQ...=1O1PK1NEBDAY9

Does it matter whether I use an oem Subaru oil filter or the Royal Purple (twice as expensive) one?

oem- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESTFGMQ...=1O1PK1NEBDAY9

rp- https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Purple-...+purple+filter

2015 subaru MT don't track or race

Use that OEM filter. There's nothing wrong with it, especially that black Tokyo Roki A130 filter you're looking at there. I has a sort of cult following around here. As far as performance, its probably your best option, considering your application. According to many here who have cut one open, it has good filtration and unlike some aftermarket options, it has the proper pressure valve for boxer engines.

From the past, when Subaru of America changed from Tokyo Roki JDM oil filters (black) to a cheaper, domestic Honeywell/ Fram fllters (blue). Needless to say, that was a money-saving choice by Subaru, and hence the start of the controversy:

https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho....php?t=1623020

https://www.i-club.com/forums/hawaii...eywell-195513/

https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho....php?t=2207951

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/2-5-lite...ions-pics.html

Blackstone did a big oil test this year and Royal Purple had slightly worse ratings than many other oils. Although the slight variation in metal content will likely never make a difference, you're paying extra for a pretty purple bottle: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f64139...Aug_17_ENG.pdf

Consider saving money and using different oil, like Castrol Edge: http://amzn.to/2gJfBTV

Just use a good filter, not the cheapo ones. And Subaru factory oil is a very good choice and readily available at amazon or the dealer. Many other good choices at Walmart as well. Just search.

Black Tokio Roki OEM filter, and a quality 0-20 for the vast majority of owners. If you've already bought the Royal Purple, I suggest returning it. You're paying RP extra money for a purple bottle, and to exchange some of it's content that should be used to lubricate, clean, and protect your engine for your engine's lifeblood to have non-beneficial coloring in it.

The OEM oil is very high quality and is available on Amazon and from your dealer. Napas usually stock Pensotin, Eneos, Idemitsu, Pennzoil and Liquimoly, which are all fantastic choices. Many also stock Amsoil products which are some of the best.

I use Idemitsu in my car, but get free delivery on Motul products so most of my customers opt for Motul fluids throughout the vehicle. (It's a great choice...)

I don't think their oil is the worst, but I can absolutely never recommend it.
Their gear oil is horrendous too. I've removed it 20 or so times from troublesome grinding transmissions, and replaced with a castrol or motul product and watched the issues melt away after 20-30 miles of shifting. Usually the owner is buying what they think is best and trying to just maintain their car, but it ends up biting them in the butt.