air filter longevity
 

Ive an '88 300e and after about a year, the air filter is still reasonably clean...what is the life on those babies? i highway drive daily in the country, small community (no industrial air pollution), no traffic jams).

There a small hole at the top of the air filter container which is open and has a rubber gasket on it; it does not appear to vent into the fuel injector; is this supposed to have a hose connected to it? Ive never seen a new 300e engine, so iom unsure of there is something missing here that allows the air to bypass the air filter.

According to MB, the air filter should be changed every 30k (@ the 30k mile service) under "normal" driving conditions. However, if live in a dusty area or drive on dirt roads, more attention will be required.

I generally changed the filter in my 300E between 20K and 30K. This was in Minnesota.

I moved to Arizona where it's really dusty. I checked a filter recently that had only 9K on it and it looked perfect until I tried to see light though it. I couldn't, so I replaced the filter.

I'd certainly check the filter at least every 15K.

For the price
 

Hi,

For the price of an air filter I usually just automatically change at least every year if not twice a year.

For the money it's probably one of the cheapest maint. items other than an oil filter.

Joel