I tried to change my air filter today and when I put the Mann replacement filter in, it would not fit. There appeared to be 3 extra paper folds and a LOT more gasket girth than the MB OEM. Needless to say, i tried squeezing it into the box thinking the gasket would bunch up closer (thinking this was a deliberate design) and I broke one of my airbox clips. I've never had a problem with Mann filters for VWs, but now I'm wondering if I should get my money back on the Mann oil filters as well. Anybody ever run into quality control problems with Mann?

I had the same exact experience when I put a Mann filter in my W202 last month. I even called up Phil and talked to him about it. It seemed TOO BIG. Just like you say. However the PN's matched exactly what was in there so I made it work. If any one ever told me they spent 45 minutes putting in an air filter I would have thought they were crazy but that is about how long I spent. I didn't break mine however. Another problem I found was that the cover is not exactly square so there seems to be an alignment problem on the outer corner closest the passenger seat. The "flange" is somewhat bigger in that area for some reason so you cant line it up the way you assume you should. That really through me off for a while. I finally took the under cover off so I could look up at the filter housing to see what the heck was going on. Long story short I decided to try a different brand next time.

Mike

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Will_w202 - If you want a real eye opener, check out the oil filter thread on the diesel forum.....

Cheers,
Wes

Which thread? Send me a link.

Mike, have you tried anything other than Mann? Maybe Hengst? I'm afraid I'll have to soend $ to get an OEM one. I used compressed air and stuck the old one back in.

Hey >>

I had the same problem with the Mann air filter for my 97 C230... It fit >> sort of... I didn't want to force it and stree the clamps on hte airbox > so I just vacumd out the old filter [ which was not that bad anyway] and put the old filter back in.. will not buy Mann air filters

Well, the Mann filter that I took out was installed by the dealer and said Mercedes on it, so I assume that IS the OEM filter. So going OEM will not solve the problem. They are just too big. I have no idea why. Unfortunately to complain about this you probably have to speak German. I have not tried any other brand but I will next time.

Mike

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

This is incredible! I can't tell which OEM the dealer used in mine, but it's not like the Mann.

Also, these return policies are crap. 30 days to return a part from the supplier on this board? 21 days for th eone I ordered from? What's the point in buying in bulk if you can't return something you don't find out is defective until months later? I guess I should open and install the other 6 oil filters ahead of time too



I think from now on I'll just pay full dealer price for maintenance items and only buy them the day I plan to do the work. Give me a break.

I have both Hengest and Mann Air Filters in stock. I took both out and compare.They are look the same shape and same size.

I sold both before for W202. None of problems.

Maybe our air filter housings are shrinking...

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Maybe it's time to build a ram-air setup

The thread relating to quality of oil filters is

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=100504&highlight=put+filter

Its a long thread, but shows what has been going on with all of the supposedly "quality" filters.

Wes

Just to follow up on this really old thread... A while back I put in a Meyle air filter and it fit fine, so this must just be an issue with the Mann air filters.

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

It'll fit...just work with it...

it's for the very same reason that these parts last longer than the average bear part...they are a ***** to put on..but then they last a long time....pay me now, pay me later....