Having the 20K service next week. Do I really need to have the cabin filter changed at 20K? Seems pre-mature to me.

 

It depends how dirty the air is where you live. Take the filter out and look at it. If it's loaded with junk, replace it. But other than that, 20K miles is about right.

 

Not necessarily pre-mature. I did the one on my C300 for the third time over the weekend. It had been two years, but only 10,000 miles. I wouldn't say it was obstructed or anything, but it had more dirt than I expected for 10,000 miles.

Mercedes is actually "recommending" replacing the cabin filter every year beginning with 2013 model year I think? Or maybe that started in 2012, not sure, but they claim required every 2 years still.

I bought the mann equivalent of the filter from eeuroparts, it was $18 and change. It's not the easiest thing to replace, but I can't really argue with $18 and change. And it is easier to change on my W204 than my R171 SLK.

If I was going to take the time to take it out and look at it, I'd just replace it for less than $19 and not have to worry about it again for a while.

 

Depends on conditions. Mine lasted 4 years with a knock out in between.

 

mine has 15.000 miles (24.000km) i unmounted to see, little dark because of our dirty diesels all around here in france but not dirt at all, will replace it anyway, it's easy to change : 3 torx screws to remove cover under glove box, 2 little metal latches and a plastic latch to release the filter, takes about 10 min taking your time, the most difficult is removing the little metal latch.

Pascal

 

Compared to some other cars I've serviced, the cabin filter on our C300 is not that easy to replace, mainly due to its location. It requires body agility of an olympic gymnast to bend yourself in such a way to get to it.

 

It was really easy for me, I guess I have the body agility of an olympic gymnast lol Think I finally found my calling!

 

cabin filters are cheap and i'd replace every 20k miles as recommended...
no need to save few bux...