The cabin filters in my '96 E300 were black when I first changed them. I now change them annually. It's surprising how much dirt accumulates, ditto for the filters in the '95 E300 (W124). The photo shows new and old W210 filters from my first change.

The original carbon filter is still good. I changed it too but the new one was much cheaper and lighter and obviously didn't have as much carbon. It also didn't work well so I returned it and put the original back.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970