I've read the various W210 cabin filter threads. I would imagine the charcoal filters on my 98 E300 are original....have only owned the car a few months. Mann filters available from my parts supplier for $55 a set. But I gather they won't be as good as the originals.

How would one know that the filters need replaced? The other cabin filters trap all the crap, so I assume there's no way visually to inspect the charcoal filters, is that correct?

My inclination is just to leave them alone and only replace the ones behind the glove compartment.

__________________
14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 142k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Mann is likely an OEM supplier and are just fine. I've used their normal cabin filters and compared them to Originals I was removing, and they are just as good if not better...

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

The aftermarket replacements are useless -- too light, very little charcoal. I tried and returned them, put the 1996 originals back. Still working fine.

Jeremy

__________________

"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

Jeremy, I noted in one of your posts that you replace your cabin filters annually. It surprises me that they need to be replaced that often. Do they really get that dirty? Or do you do it just because it's cheap and easy to do?

__________________
14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 154k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 172k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 142k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

When I had my 210 I changed the paper filters regularly, because I live on dusty dirt road. The only time I changed the charcoal filter was after a mouse took up residence in the filter box. I really am glad to be rid of that car.

I change mine about annually too. They are reasonably dirty by then, so I just do it when I'm doing my A/B service.

__________________
Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

Mine are sagging and not filling the entire frame so I know they are letting air bypass. I don't think they protect the AC coil.

__________________
03 SLK320
98 E300TD 320k Miles
75 914
02 Suburban

I was surprised how dirty the filters get; pictures should be posted with one of those threads but I can re-post.

Jeremy

Edit: Add "new/old" comparison photo.

__________________

"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