I just bought this car and wanted to get to know it a little better so I decided to do the oil change myself. I drained the oil and took out the filter just to find out that the new filter is the wrong size. I took it back and they said that's what they have for a '79 240D. I went to a few other places and they essentially said the same thing. So now my car sits eagerly awaiting a new filter. I'm going to clean off the old filter and get some numbers off of it, but is there something I'm missing? Do I need to go to a dealer?
I'd really love to get it up and running again, I mean this is rediculous.

Is this the filter you're looking for?

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1CQ0J3JZ41M20OF6TR&year=1979&make=MB&model=240-D-002&category=All&part=Oil+Filter+Kit

You can order a few or just go to the dealer, depends if you are in a hurry.

Go to the dealer for the filter to get it running and then use Fastlane for your supplies.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Hey thanks for the tip on where to go for parts and such.
Turns out part of the old filter fell off and was left in the canister, but I didn't realize it (first time doing an oil change on this type of car). Plus the guy at the auto shop gave me the wrong filter. After looking at the filters on the website, I realized that the other piece had to be in the canister.
Problem solved, car back on the road.

Thanks again