So I am looking to replace air filters and EVERY site that I see is selling the same filters (a 2 pack) for the 2013 GLK350. Without hesitation, I purchase them and once they arrive, proceed to dig into the engine for replacement. Right off the bat I notice something odd. I don't have the dual intakes coming from the front. I only have a single intake leading to the passenger side which then leads to the engine. Hmmm?

So I take it apart anyway (3 screws) and take the filter out to see if these just happen to fit (then I'd have a spare); and lo and behold, they do not. What the hay? So I contact the eBay seller (automotivepartssuperstore) and they graciously refunded me the purchase without hassle...

But now I'm still stuck trying to figure out how the heck to get a filter. I looked EVERYWHERE and everybody sells the dual filters. They are significantly smaller than the single filter that I have so no... there's no way to make them work.

I end up calling the dealership. They transfer me to parts who looks up my VIN and he tells me that EVERY GLK is different. Uh, no they aren't but I get the point. His point is not that MB makes a couple hundred thousand different GLKs, it's that you can't take for granted that every part is interchangeable. Point taken.

There are actually two different GLK350 engines, the 273 and the 276. The 273 has the dual filters, whereas mine (the 276) has the single filter. I believe the part number is the same except the engine; so the XXX-094-00-04 is the air filter number with the XXX being the engine. I have the 276-094-00-04. For those with dual intakes and filters embedded into your engine cover, you should have 273-094-00-04.

Since I couldn't find this anywhere online, I figured I'd post for others who may run into the problem. Now for the other ugly part: apparently the 276 is pretty rare so the filter isn't widely available on the cheap. Instead of a 2-pack of the 273's for $19, I have to pay $40+ for a single. The good thing: the K&N is only $47. I might as well get the K&N for that price because at filter change #2, I've already made my money back.

 

that's probably just the difference between the pre-facelift and facelift models right? The 2013 model year is when they updated the engine and body but for some reason a lot of after market places seem to think 2014 is when they changed over.
Anyway, I think if you would have searched for a 2014 air filter you would have gotten the correct one.

 

Yes and No. Yes, 2013 is the first year of the facelift but my point is that 2013 had two engine configurations for the 3.5. The 273 and the 276. So you need to check your engine and see if you have the symmetrical, dual intakes and dual filters BEFORE buying filters (like I should have done). I had no reason to think that there were two different but identical 3.5 liter engines (especially when 99% of all filters online were the same).

 

I think you missed my point. My point is that the 2010-2012 GLK350 engine(268HP, regular fuel injection) uses the 2 filter configuration while the 2013 and newer GLK350(302HP, direct injection, engine stop/start at traffic lights) uses the single filter configuration. However, aftermarket parts suppliers seems to think that the engine update/face lift for the GLK350 didn't happen until 2014 so searching for parts for 2013 GLK is actually returning results for the 2010-2012 GLK. If you searched for parts for 2014, it will get you the correct parts.
Put another way, the 273 engine is for 2010-2012 GLK350 while the 276 engine is for 2013-2014.
I'm finding it extremely hard to believe that they would have two different air intake configurations for the same engine and I'd be worried about what happened to require such a drastic change to the intake configuration.
Although I have been wrong plenty of times before so I guess anything is possible. just wanted to clarify on what I said earlier.

 

Frankly - I am worried what a K&N will do to your MB - since frankly I have never seen "good" come from a K&N in a MB - and on the contrary K&N is the piggie here and not the MB part.

Interesting if you dig into the design of the 1pc hi-flow filter ...

 

The change to the intake has to do with the way the fuel and air are mixed. Obviously with direct injection into the cylinder, the main concern for air induction is mass flow. With Port or induction injection, where the injectors inject in to the intake manifold before the intake valve, fuel mixing and air turbulence are major factors. In many port injection engines all of the injectors on one side fire together even though they are spaced near each cylinder. So it is appropriate to split the intake manifold to improve air fuel ratio mixing. With direct injection the designer wants to design for the best way to ram as much air in as he can. With a single intake, he can use the inertia of the charge being drawn into one cylinder during intake to densify the charge for the next cylinder. Thus one reason for increased Hp and Fuel Efficiency of the DI engines.

 

I don't think I missed your point, I'm just telling you that your assumptions are wrong. EVERY filter you see online is for the double intake configuration. It has symmetrical pipes that come from the front, both leading to the engine cover which has filters mounted under it on both sides. Mine does NOT look like that. It is the same 3.5 liter engine but is a 276 whereas all the other filters (that require 2) are a 273 engine. Believe it or not, that is what I see online and what the dealer confirmed. Both are engines provided on the 2013 model.....which btw I think explains why the owner's manual does not provide a part number or ANY other information regarding filter replacement.

 

As a previous user of K&N filters, primarily on dirt bikes, but also on some cars, I also would be very cautious about using them on a modern car with a mass flow sensor. Since I believe most of these use a hot-wire system, they are very sensitive to contamination, which can come from any oil that is on the filter. I've seen newer K&N's which advertise them as oil-free, probably to address just this problem. Unless you use your vehicle in off-road racing, I'd stick with the stock filter, which work better on the smaller particle-sizes, and will probably result in less internal wear to your engine.

 

I have had several (probably about 5) K&N filters on newer vehicles since the late 90's up until my last on a 2012 Silverado. I have had no problems with MAF sensors. Cautions noted, but I think it's a little "over"-cautious.

Also, this is a good discussion to have and I don't mind having it here but let's not forget the overall point being the fitment issue. For anybody who reads this a year or two from now and wants to know a status on whether or not I had problems related to the filter and/or its oil, feel free to ask.

 

The problems that people have with K&N's stem from over-oiling them. Properly treated, they'll do just fine. However, I always prefer dry filters.

 

K&Ns, even if they did have the proper intakes, do not fit/seal as well as OEM filters. Thus they let more dust and junk in. They will also void your warranty.

 

I installed the K&N last week (August 12, 2014 I think). Fit perfect and snug just like original paper. So for timeline purposes, mark it on your calendars if you want an update based on time. It actually seemed pretty heavily oiled also. The plastic wrap was coated in oil. When I have cleaned them in the past I NEVER put that much oil on them.

 

Hi Shawn, It been over a couple of years since you've posted this thread, how is the K&M filter holding up?

 

hi
I had the same problem
I have the single filter.
I can open the top 2 screws but there is no space to open the third.
how did you open the cover ?


regards
jeff

 

ShawnMichael,
Thanks for your input, I have a DI 2013 GLK with the one filter only, was about to go to parts store so now know what to check for.
Do I assume you just undo the three screws and tilt the cover to the side to remove the filter?
I am a new member just signed on.
Cheers to all,
Jack