New W210 cabin air filter (charcoal) is pleated - less effective?
 

Hi, I just got a new W210 cabin air filter that's supposed to be OEM MB, came in the right box etc., but instead of the usual heavy solid feeling box o' charcoal I got a pleated zigzag of charcoal impregnated media. I get filters for my Passat that're made of the same stuff, granted a lot less of it, and they are nowhere near as effective as the MB filter at eliminating odors. Has anyone had experience with the new style filter? Is pleated less effective?
TIA,
-Tom

It might be more effective. PLeated makes more surface area for filtering.

Tom W

Pleating on a filter makes it more effective; Tom's right.

Thanks for the responses. Sure pleating normally helps, but I should explain further. The old filter was >2cm thick and filled (I think) with powdered activated charcoal. The new one is made of a sandwich of filter medium and charcoal (or impregnated with it) which can't be more than 4mm thick, pleated into the old-sized case. The amount of charcoal (the stuff that actually absorbs the odors) MUST be only a fraction of the usual amount.

My big question is if anyone has had firsthand experience with the "new style" filters.
TIA,
-Tom

Mine has new filters, and the only difference I can tell is my knowledge that the filter is no longer full of tree debris.

Point being, you'll never know the difference.