If the existing filter was 2 yrs. old and had 17,000 miles on it, the oil would be black irregardless of who made it.

As far as I know Hengst, Mann; Mahle-Knecht are OEM.

I wonder if this is the french-made filter MB dealers are now selling? If so, there has been some bad press.

Consider what M.B.DOC had to say in these threads.

Smaller M103 Oil filter update

W124 New Replacement Oil Filter, smaller, better?