Vrodman

OK, so kind of a lame question. I haven't had to personally replace the air filter on my car yet. It was done by the stealer roughly 40k miles back (for only $300 !!!) and I'm thinking it's due. I did just sucessfully replace the MAF (WOW, what a difference) and in taking the airbox off it appears there are 11 Torx head screws that hold it together. I'm guessing T10/T12 or so? I assume these 11 screws come out to remove the air filters. I just looked on autohausaz.com and saw Mann air filters for $17ea. I don't want to use K&N so please don't send me advice to switch to K&N. With that said, is there any one brand of air filter for these beasts that is better than the others? BTW, the car is a 2000 E55.

Thanks

TTA850

The screws are to split the housing and get to the filters. I think Mann is original equipment or at least equal to original equipment and should be a fine replacement. The OE filters are nothing special aside from the fact that they say AMG on them.

HTH,
Steve

Vrodman

Thanks. Dude, slap a set of chrome headlight rings on your car and it would look exactly like mine. So, because I haven't opened up the air box yet, I don't know if the filters that the stealer put in have "AMG" on them. Are these AMG filters sold exclusively through dealers?

TTA850

You must have a very good looking car then

I dont know if the dealers replacement filter would say AMG on them scince mine were still the originals, but I can tell you that the originals are Mann filters. Here's a pic of one of my original air filter, http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...0/DSC01522.jpg, where you can see the AMG on the left and (though it's hard to make out) the symbol for Mann to the right.

Esh

Are there any performance filters or intakes out there? I've read something about green filters or what not?

Vrodman

Yeah, It is INDEED one fine lookin' automobile. Infact I was just thinking earlier today that I've owned it for nearly 8 and 1/2 years and I still love driving it. All I ever need to do to gain more appreciation for it is drive my wife's Beemer!!! Of course she bought the gutless 3-series before I knew her!!

Thanks for the posting the pic and all. Very Cool. Cheers.

Yacht Master

Mann filters work. The K&Ns are old oil bath tech from the 1920s. Bad for MAFs

Ben'z

I use Green filter, and like it.

ruBENZ

K&N aside, I do not believe there is any one brand of air filter that is better than MANN for our vehicles. There may be a few equal; but, I prefer OEM. That said; OEM is Mann part # WA 104 094 01 04. The AMG logo is irrelevant. Replacement is one of the simplest DIY. Remove the screws, open the case, clean the interior (40K??? you may find a birdie in it's nest), insert new filters, and reverse steps. Repeat every 20K, and your MAF sensor will thank you for it, and the birdies won't.

Vrodman

RuBenz, OK, you got a laugh out of me!! Dealer maintanence schedule didn't call for 20k miles, but just common sense always had me wondering why not. Anyway for $34 bucks (for both filters) can't go wrong. And I just replaced MAF a week ago. Huge return of Hp after the MAF, maybe I'll get a few more after filters. Can you believe steeler charged me $300 for the air filters (filters + labor) last time for a 15 minute job? And 15 minutes would be taking my time! I guess when they quoted me $580 for the MAF job it sort of makes sense!!! But then again, I can probably do the MAF quite a bit faster than filters (only cuz of the 11 screws). What Criminals. I don't know, maybe there were some hidden costs in taking care of the birdies they found when they did the filters last!

armaniE55

Vrodman- fyi see my forum on MAF and see forum on highest miles you can save even more money by cleaning the MAF yourself $. Good practice is to clean MAF when changing air filters

BoushiBimmer

20k is a good time to replace the Air filter? Should I let the dealer do it or is it as easy as you all say? Cant be as much as he paid thou.

Vrodman

Dude, Smythe Europian in Bay Area, Ca sure enough billed me $300 for the air filters as part of the 60k service. They also charged me $530 for plugs at that service! I sh** you not! Why do you think everyone calls these dealers "steelers"? I can tell you that I just replaced my MAF in like 20 minutes last weekend and in doing so I had to take the airbox off (the two filters are inside). So how many tools are required to remove the airbox? 0, nada, null set! comes off with your hands. After that you only need a torx driver for exactly 11 screws. I think it's like a T10 or T12 in size. Unscrew the 11 screws, the box opens up and simply swap filters. Reverse process and your done!

FYI, if you didn't see in a prior post of mine, it took less than 20 minutes to replace that MAF and I got the OEM new Bosch MAF from Autohausaz.com for $168 with no tax and no shipping. And how much did the steeler quote me for parts and labor you ask? Try $580 CRIMINALS

BoushiBimmer

wow, $580 for a 20 minute job? I'm due for service A soon. Is it just an Oil Change or does it require more then that? Can I take it to a local shop? Hard to do?

ruBENZ

You will...