Would anyone recommend a K&N for a 300D?
 

I was at my local parts store and saw some K&N air filters and started to consider putting one in my 1983 300D-T. I replace my paper air filters very very often and even if the K&N doesn't offer better performance, the fact that it's reusable is pretty appealing. Anyway, I figured I'd ask you fine folks if you've had any experience with these. My engine's a turbo so I figure maybe it can use the extra air flow. Just a thought. Thanks!

Alex

I dont know if my engine is unique but I had alot of oil in my Air filter when i changed it last. I just bought the car with 237000 and am forgiving of diesels and their messy ways. We shall see if the next air filter change is clean. I would like to use the KN filter but at present time will not if it is only going to accumulate black diesel oil. IF your air filters are clean when you change them KN filter seems like a good idea.
These cars are never going to be fast, just last for ever.

Good luck

bob

And So Will The K&N Filter...
 

Last forever, that is. The K&N filter will give you up to an additional 15% performance due to the increased air flow, and the black diesel oil that is normal for these engines, will only serve to add to the filtration, as the K&N system is an oiled filter that can (and is supposed to be) cleaned and re oiled on a regular basis. Remember that the K&N filters are "lifetime" and will never be disposed of, just cleaned and re-oiled...

www.knfilters.com/default.htm

Put simply. NO.

When I bought my car last Oct., it had a K&N air filter. I however took it out and replaced it with a MANN filter. For those who use them, how do you know when it's time to clean and re-oil them? I know that K&N filters work best when they start to get dirty, but at what point is it too dirty? I like sticking with OEM paper elements siince you can see when they are too dirty and replace them.

Rick, I Wish Your Filter Would Fit My Car...
 

If it would, I'd gladly pay the shipping to get it from you. However, it won't fit, so my advice would be to clean it, re-oil it, and put it back in your W-116.

FYI, K&N suggests you clean and re-oil automobile air filters every year, or every 40,000 miles, whichever occurs first. I'd just plan on doing a yearly maintenance in the springtime that included the air filter.

I've thought about fitting the 300SE with a K&N filter. I didn't because the MB tech advised me that the MB engine is designed to run with the specified air-flow, and that increasing the air intake would not make much difference if any.

Any air cleaner I can see through I figure the dust can get through. The car might run better with NO air cleaner, but I would stick with a “Real” air filter.

It wouldn't be a very good idea for one to run a turbo'd engine without an air filter. Simply due to the speed at which the turbine is spinning, it wouldn't take much for the smallest debris to ruin the blades. For any car that is fuel injected, just imagine how things would get plugged up by a piece of sand or a leaf.
I once found a bee (dead) in my air filter. For turbo'd engines it is very importan to have a clean airfilter. In my VW, there is a pre-filter of sorts, at the entrance to the air filter "box". It's a very fine mesh screen. I routinely pull junk out of it. I guess VW wanted to make sure no "large" debris plugged the air filter itself.