unless your tdi is seriously equipped with an undersized intake runner resulting in extremely high intake velocities, the only way a K&N would take out the maf is if it was oiled improperly. the mesh needs VERY little oil to work properly, and it needs it ONLY on the incoming side of the filter. dirt will not harm the maf, but oil will.

but back to the MB question. on here somewhere is a scientific study showing the airflow volume, and the particulate trapping vs passing data. very revealing.

My K&N style filter has saved me a lot of money. I have not had to replace the bracket that holds the air breather in place for a year now at $30 a peice. lol

Somwhere in the DIY section the whole K&N issue is thrashed through.

The test with the Chart comparing Filters of different makes is from a Dura Max Vehicle.

Most assume that the K&N used on the Dura Max will perform the same as the other K&N Filters for other Vehicles. This may or may not be so.

On of the threads I read on another Forum concerned a Ford Pick-up and the fact that the K&N did not seal well in the Housing. So to compare that situation to a K&N for Mercedes that is a direct swap for the Paper Element Filter does not seem like a good comparison to me.

In short none of the K&N Filters used on Mercedes have been tested.

Any of those aftermarket filters--when you hold them up to the light and can see daylight thru them---they are not going on my car.

The primary benefit of the K&N goes to K&N for having sold it. It's a quick way to ruin an engine.

anybody use one of the foam "truflow" filters? Looks pretty interesting VS a K&N and OEM. I can see lots of dust benefits to a foam filter.

Yet, there is a Guy in the below thread that worked on customers Sand Buggies that used K&N Filters and he said when they took the Engines apart they did not exibit the type of wear that would indicate the Air Filter was not working.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=212563

Fram has a line of soap and water washable Air Filters that might be adaptable; the Filter Numbers start with WA instead of CA.
The one in my previous post in this thread concerning the Mod I did is one used on Ford Vans and some Trucks.

I also lucked out because Fram makes a washable Filter for my Astro Van and I have one in it right now.

The ones I am speaking of you just wash and dry them. There is nothing extra you need to do with them.

When I looked the Washable filters up them make about 22 different ones.

After how many hours of racing do "sand buggies" get torn down for rebuilds? Did he do oil analysis that shows a higher level of silica; that's typical for a K&N that DOES pass more dirt than an OEM filter. It just takes time to wear down your turbo, rings and valves.

You consider $30 a lot of money? How does ruining the engine save you money? THINK. And if your engine shakes that bad, maybe you should be looking into why? I have never had to replace my air cleaner bracket, nor do I even have to change the rubber mounts, because my engine runs smoothly.

It is amazing what people consider "saving". Its that age-old "now" approach, without thinking about "later".

$30 I must be cheap! I got them from Grainger for a couple dollars. I had a K&N on my old gas Ford pick up. I saw no improved fuel milage or performance. On my old buggy we would run sand socks over the K&N to keep out the sand.

Here a link to the other (14) K&N threads.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diy-links-parts-category/173036-k-n-filter-topic-links-thread-post1354738.html

A person with the mind-set to run a red-neck style K&N filter on a Mercedes, should not be owning/driving a Mercedes, it is by nature against the grain of what the whole car is all about.

Sigh.

You would need to find his post and get that Posters Member name and ask Him directly.

I hope those interested will take the time to read them.