Mine is the C230, 1997, which I think is the same engine layout. The filter canister you seek has a round, nearly smooth black cap on it.

Stand in front of the car. At the top front of the engine you'll see a wide black cover with the star on it. Don't remove this. Look to the right, and you'll see the oil filter canister and its cap, to the left of the power steering reservoir. A hose may run partly over the cap, but just shift it a little, don't dismantle it.

The cap comes off with a filter cap wrench, available from your friendly MB dealer (or from Advance Auto Parts for a lot le$$), attached to your trusty socket wrench. One end of the filter itself fits into this cap, so when you unscrew the cap and lift, the old filter should come with it.

Fit your new filter into the canister; it can only go in one way. Don't forget to snug the rubber o-ring provided with your filter around the cap before you screw it back down onto the canister and tighten it with your socket or torque wrench. After you refill the crankcase with oil and run the engine, check for leaks. That's it!

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-- Paul W. (The Benzadmiral)
('03 Buick Park Avenue, charcoal/cream)
Formerly:
'97 C230, smoke silver/parchment; '86 420SEL, anthracite/light grey; '84 280CE (W123), dark blue/palomino