Sorry!!! I thought 2000 was the first W203. So then his car is the same as mine and yours. Yes, above the passengers feet.

Yes, there is no way you can see the filter looking in the vents. Don't know what you are seeing. Check the filter and make sure it is there. I have never heard of one falling apart. I suppose a little mouse could get in there and chew it up???

PS: I deleted my previous incorrect post.

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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