Hello everyone,

I just waned to update you guys on my recent install of a set of BMC FB224/01 air filters that I got off of amazon or eBay for about $225. (These are the same ones that Weistec sell on their website).

I really don't want to get in the debate of the ifs or if nots whether these style air filters can damage a motor. I use them in all of my motorcycles, my previous E500 w 78k & GL550 w 85K, and on the Beech Bonanza A36 that I fly. Needless to say I'm a believer.
You must take the responsibility of cleaning them regularly and things are fine. My car has less than 900 miles of city driving and I found leaves in the air intakes!

As I'm still in the breakin time and haven't really hammered it yet but I do feel that the car runs better noticeably....(I have 18k of seat time in my old 14 GL63)


As you can see in the first picture, the stock filters stick way up in the intakes... I have to assume that causes turbulence and a uneven flow across the filter.

The removal consists of:
1 removing the cladding from the top of the engine as it pulls right off with clips over rubber knobs.
2. Unscrew the metal clamp at the rubber connector to the air box housing. The intake hose on the other side simply pulls off.






Be sure to carefully unplug the sensor on each air box. You will need a torx bit to unscrew the 5 screws.




Here are both filters upside down and removed





Notice part number and the difference in filters

Everything goes back in the same order...I did it in just under 1.5 glasses of wine and a third of a Davidoff Tubo.

This is a nice easy mod that anyone can do and get some easy performance...I'm pretty sure that it works across all M157 engines and 550s. The procedure would be the same on the V6 cars but would most likely use a different filter part number.

Cheers!

 

Hey Dave
The beast is looking good ….
do you have link to the air filters I need to replace mine
have 17k on them

 

Hi Tony,

I've been meaning to call you!
Here is a link off of eBay:
Mercedes AMG E63 W212 Bi Turbo 2012-up FB224/01 BMC Air Filter
Or at least load it in and it should come up....

Btw.. I bought a set of porterfield brake pads to replace my brand new ones on the 2015 Gl63 because I hated the black dust.... But the new pads on the new car dust a good 50% less....will update with my install and comparison when I switch to my winter tires.

 

Cyclrdr:

Nice to see a straightforward "do it yourself" upgrade. Thanks for sharing.

Kind regards,

 

Ok guys..... I might have to amend my opinion.
My car has had a funny idle issue where it would flutter. I have had the check engine light come on so I took it to the dealer. The tech suggested that I remove the filters because it was causing the check engine... But more importantly, he said that these filters let to much dust in causing the throttle plates (or something or another) to get dirty premature. He had an E63 himself and had tuned on it... He too would get the engine light.. Finally he gave up on them too.

I've always had the se filters in both my E500 wagon and my GL550 without issue..... But maybe the M157 is simply more sensitive.

Dunno... But as of right now I'm back to stock filters.

 

Back to stock filters and your engine is ok, no fluttering or cel?

 

I have these and nary an issue..

 

Your tune was setup with the filters where as OEM is compensating... Just not enough so the car is running lean.. (Maybe having the cooler running plugs would help?)

Plus you guys have cleaner air up there in Canada!

Anyway... The bottom line is that the idle flutter seems to be gone and I have no engine lights on... Quite frankly, I didn't really notice any difference in performance (though I am sure they do help... Just not in every day driving)

I will update if anything changes on the engine light situation. ( by the way... The light had only came on after I hammered it one day)

 

Any updates on this?

I'm looking into replacing my filters with K&N or BMC.

Thank you!!

 

I have a set of BMC filters that I will sell you1/2 of list price...(or going price).. they have 2000 miles on them..

 

Man, after reading what you wrote I'm not sure if I want to use BMC.

BTW - What do you use for winter tires? I'm in NYC like yourself.

Thanks!

 

I don't think that it is a BMC vs K&N thing more like sensitive sensors in the engine that trip a light on the dash.... I use both BMC and K&N on all of my motorcycles & aircraft.... They both work the same.....

I use Pirelli scorpion "winter" dedicated snows.... They are fabulous and have used them every major snow storm including closures of the LIE on both of my GL63s and GL550 (the formatic is better than the fixed 40/60 on the 63)

😀

 

Thank you for your reply man. I will order a set.

Are you now using your OEM filters? Any ECU upgrades on your GL63?

Soon i'll be doing the Renntech ECU upgrade. Next week my dealer is installing the Renntech lowering module.

 

My air filter boxes also have rubber pipes connected with crimp type clamps. What to do?

 

Pictures?

All M278 have the same screw type clamps for the intake and charge pipes...

 

Thanks. I will send pics later.

 

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I use BMC and have never had a problem


Thank-You
D.B.


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I got k &n but was thinking of going with bmc route on my 450 chipped.. and yes I know the m157 is for 550 and 63 models and I have a m278 thanks