I checked my air filter and it was actually really clean. So I'll just add the new one I purchased to my stock of M-B parts. The entire air cleaner assembly was very clean as well, really impressive considering that when I got the car it was dirty and the air filter had a lot of oil on it. Nice to get a car and put it in the state you wish to have it and then maintain it that way.
However I did discover I have some work to do: one of the air cleaner assembly mounts is broken... you can actually lift the air cleaner assembly from that end. Looks like that's the cause of all that vibrations in my engine compartment.
On another note, last time I performed an oil change I left the oil level at the maximum level on the dipstick. I checked the oil today for the first time in 2,800 miles and discovered the level had gone down to the minimum mark. It required two quarts of oil to get it back to the maximum mark. Right now I don't know if it is consuming oil or not. I have several leaks from underneath (oil pan gasket and turbo seals I think) and the valve cover gasket is leaking as well so I don't know if they are enough to account for two quarts of oil. I know the car consistently leaves marks on my driveway. While I had no leaks - before I started using Amsoil which I know caused the leaks - there was absolutely no oil consumption. Can anyone tell me, based on experience, if such leaks are enough to cause such a reduction in the volume of oil in the engine? Thanks.