aftermarket air intake for 300E
 

I've just come across this listing on ebay for the air intake and would like to get your opinion whether this is a good upgrade or not.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7920525973&category=38634

it doesnt seem too expensive, so if anyone has tried this with success please do post a reply. I'm basically looking for some hp upgrade in the 260E. not sure if this would help but still.

2phast did this on his car. You should contact him.

http://www.2phast.com/190E/default.htm

The HP gain, if any, would be near immeasurable. I wouldn't change the air filter arrangement on my car for all the tea in China. It is a true cold air intake.

Ebay is covered with cheaply built air intakes for almost every car made. They are built cheaply from mostly standard K&N knockoff type air filter components. They are rarely placed in a position where they get truly cold air.

If you want more power, find a 400E or 500E. You will be much better off in the long run.

Have a great day,

Rik did the modification to his 2.6L 190E, then went back to the OEM airbox after he confirmed that the temp of the air going into the cone filter was hotter (less dense) than the air that the OEM airbox/duct was providing. The theory for the CAI is elementary, but you have to do the "plumbing" so that you're actually drawing the "CA" of the CAI.

I have to agree with the comments regarding this setup.

Pulling cool fresh air into the engine is of such an importance that all Mercedes for years have had a fresh air intake located at the front of the cars. Additionally also benefited from the high-pressure location (front - headlight area).

The snorkle setup was first found on off-road cars and were almost always mounted high up on the vehicles.

Regardless of the low induction resistance, sucking hot air in from the engine bay is not good, especially when the lower encapsulation pan is in place.

Haasman

Aside from the cold air intake issues, the filter arrangement that MB proscribes is for a reason. Other filters (including K&N) allow more than enough impurities to intrude and foul the MAS in short order...not an alternative I would even consider...

Replacing the factory intake system can actually reduce hp, not increase it, for a variety of reasons.

First, the intake is located carefully to provide the coolest air possible AND considerable velocity modification. There is a reason for the venturi in the intake on the older cars, it wasn't styling! Probably gives a considerable amount of ram effect through the filter. You get neither with an "open" K&N -- those will suck down hot air off the rad, lots of dirt goes through, and the pressure in the intake is probably lower, as noted.

The noise reduction is a result of MB practice dating from the 60's when they discovered that a major cause of driver fatigue is road and engine/exhaust noise. MB's have been very quiet since (in good shape -- one falling apart is a different story!). K&Ns give you LOTS of noise. I suspect this is why everyone "feels" the hp increase. It SOUNDS like it's working harder and making more power.

Leave be. If you want more horsepower, you need a different car. The 260 is somewhat, shall we say, less than sporty. Nice car, but a commuter, not a driver's car.

Peter