Well, wouldn't you know it, the wretched air filter bracket on my 300SD fractured again. The first one lasted 10k miles. The second lasted 130k - only because after it broke soon after installation, I had a Ruddy, Great Big Weld placed on it. When it broke it did so in 2 places, looking beyond redemption. The third broke in 2 places and one of the pieces was lost. That lasted 10k miles.

Now the fourth has gone - broken in one place. The fractures occur either at the trailing or leading mounting location, closest to the engine. This is a 1983 300SD with the big air cleaner mounted near the engine on the passenger's side. Car is about to roll over 200k miles.

So I'm having not one but four RGBWs put on it by the local welder - two atop, where they fracture, and two around the periphery to see if I can get some life out of this thing. I just hate that loud rattle when I start it first thing in the morning....

Am I the only one with this failure rate? The engine is well tuned, motor mounts are fresh, air filter rubbers are fresh, little shaking at any speed.