Blaine, I did both of the procedures you're doing this past week, plus installed a new MAF sensor on my 2000 E 430 as I had a low rpm stumble and no codes. I did the CPS first and saw no change in performance. The MAF sensor was my culprit.

For the fuel filter, I didn't experience any fuel under pressure spraying out when I took the first fuel line off, but you do need to be ready to attach each removed line (4 of them) directly to the new filter pretty quickly as fuel will drain out from them while they are off. It is a bit of a fire hazard so take precautions.

Good luck.