This is a great post.. wish it was here when I did all this work and had to figure it out by myself!
Definitely look at your fuel filter before buying the new one, as mentioned. The two styles are very different and after you've done 90% of the work you don't want to have to put it all back together and go get the correct filter!
The clamps on the filer are "CLIC" type which use a special set of pliers to remove. Some have replaced them with regular hose clamps, but I just bought a set of CLIC pliers on eBay for under $15. It seems all the newer MB's have these clamps so I figure it's an investment.
Trick for the cabin filter.. it can be changed from under the hood much much easier!
Look for a post here or a Youtube video.. can't remember where I found it. But basically the plastic piece at the bottom of the windshield comes off (air intake for the heater system) and you can see both cabin filters.
They get pulled out and you have to "squish" one of them to get them into he compartment. It doesn't damage the filter, but you do need to compress it.
I remember it being about a 5 min job doing it this way. Have heard that all of the dealer techs do it this way too (of course while billing for the full disassembly time of doing it the "proper" way)
