Lots of people have done this. I've had it with the factory air cleaner myself. I installed one of Kent's heavy duty air cleaner brackets a few years ago and made some unbreakable rubber mounts. The rubber mounts held up, but the bracket is cracked. And this is with a smooth-running engine with new genuine Mercedes engine mounts and shocks!
But, I want the air filter in an enclosed housing and to draw in cold air. Something like in the picture below.
However, I have a W116 and the battery location at the front of the engine compartment leaves hardly any room for an air filter box.
I was looking at something like a Spectre air box.
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DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!
1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles