Cheap Air Filter Needed

[Radio Nut]

I need an inexpensive source for an air filter to fit my 1985 300CD with California emissions. In my feeble mind, paper air filters are supposed to cost $4.99, so that they can be changed out often without regret. Not in this case. Prices seem to range between $36 and $57

I run K&N filters in my other vehicles, and I am willing to use one in this application, if someone can share the correct part number. Or, if someone has a spare sitting around, could you measure it and post the dimensions? K&N has a "search by dimensions" feature on their website.

Yes, I have read the threads reporting that oil analysis silica levels increase when using K&N filters. What I haven't seen is someone reporting that silica levels have increased enough to shorten the oil change interval. I am pretty anal about my 5000 mile oil change regimen.

My hope is that if I can discover the correct part number to use, I can avoid the annual expense of a paper filter, while managing the silica increase with my religious 5000 mile oil change regimen. After all, it can't hurt anything if it isn't in the crankcase... Or, in the alternative, I hope to discover a reliable source for these air filters at a more managable cost.

TIA for the help. This is the center of the known universe for keeping the elder Benz alive.

[Hatterasguy]

What air filter costs $4.99? Even a cheap Fram for my moms Olds is about $10.

Depending how much you drive $35 is a once a year or once every other year expense.

Edit looks what I found on Fastlane for a CA 1985 300CD.

K&N Filters IN STOCK $68.24 $63.43


B1000-12087 Air Filter Mann IN STOCK $40.50 $19.18


B1000-12087 Air Filter Hengst IN STOCK $40.50 $18.55


B1000-30905 Air Filter Bosch IN STOCK $40.50 $14.06

I don't think a Bosch will break the bank? If you change the Bosch once a year it would take 5 years for the K&N to pay for itself.

[stayalert]

Cali emmisions car = different=less abundant=more expensive? just guessing

[Jimmy Joe]

Cheap filters just don't cut it; you really get what you pay for.
I am amazed at the difference in quality.
If you want to keep the crap out of your motor, you use the good ones...

[Jim H]

Save money, don't change it just because the pages have turned on the calender.

Be sure it's dirty and needs to be changed!

Best Regards,
Jim

[kip Foss]

Does anyone know if one of those little plastic pressure differential guages would work to tell one when the filter is clogged enough to change?

[Jim H]

There was a thread some time ago on filters. Seems Ford and some other manufacturers have used the differential gauges to indicate loss through a filter.

A search might find the thread.

Best Regards,
Jim

[Radio Nut]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

What air filter costs $4.99? Even a cheap Fram for my moms Olds is about $10.

Depending how much you drive $35 is a once a year or once every other year expense.

Edit looks what I found on Fastlane for a CA 1985 300CD.

K&N Filters IN STOCK $68.24 $63.43
B1000-12087 Air Filter Mann IN STOCK $40.50 $19.18
B1000-12087 Air Filter Hengst IN STOCK $40.50 $18.55
B1000-30905 Air Filter Bosch IN STOCK $40.50 $14.06

I don't think a Bosch will break the bank? If you change the Bosch once a year it would take 5 years for the K&N to pay for itself.

I warned you it was a feeble mind.

Thanks again, this is great information!

[whunter]

1982 - 1985 Mercedes 300CD Turbo 617.952 Chassis: 123.153
Mann Mercedes Air Filter, California Mann B1000-12087 $17.77

http://www.partsandaccessories.com/sitemap/mpn~0~mercedes~air_filter.html

A few moments searching found this, hope it is not bigbabo.
Have a great day.

[estod]

The test run on the filters from a Ford pickup diesel found AC Delco the best at stopping dirt. It beat Wix, Baldwin, Fram, Purolator,---- and everybody beat K&N. AC Delco shouldn't be too dear ... I'm now wondering if the AC Delco oil filter might be acceptable ---- without trash in the bypass section --- and less than the $16 + that I just paid for a Hastings.

[jbaj007]

whunter,
Unfortunately this is the one from that site that fits his particular intake system (we were "unusual" in CA that year) ;

http://pa.partsandaccessories.com/parts/partsandaccessories/quote.jsp?year=1985&product=B1000-28564&application=000005550&part=Air%20Filter&category=B

[whunter]

Originally Posted by jbaj007

whunter,
Unfortunately this is the one from that site that fits his particular intake system (we were "unusual" in CA that year) ;

http://pa.partsandaccessories.com/parts/partsandaccessories/quote.jsp?year=1985&product=B1000-28564&application=000005550&part=Air%20Filter&category=B

When is California not unusual???

[jbaj007]

How true. How true.

Now, to decide whether to take a nice drive on the Coast Hiway towards Cambria or go to the mountains. What the heck, maybe Palm Springs. Decisions, decisions. Take care, wh.

[lietuviai]

Unfortunately the filter you need is going to cost you $$. The filter you need is a LX107 and the best price I've found is from you-know-who WHunter mentions. I got one for $24 from him but I will never ever buy from him again.
I won't recommend the K&N set-up either because its filtration is not as good as the stock set-up.
Do what I did and get the manifolds, air cleaner, turbo, exhaust pipe and everything else attached from any non CA model and swap it out. I did most of it in one afternoon. The only PITA is rebending the A/C running in front of the head since it gets in the way of the non-CA intake plumbing. Oh while you're at it, make sure you "fix" your EGR.
Then you can use the non-CA filters which I've found for around $10.

[whunter]

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=83554