It fits! Green AirFilter on the SLK 280

etyu · 12-25-2006

I got a pair of the Green Air Filter from the SLKWorld store and tried them on this morning and IT FITS FINE!

Below are some side-by-side photos: it might look like the Green air filter is smaller but it is because of the height of the OEM air filter.

The construction on the Green air filter is very well made while the OEM seems flimsy.

Green air filter inside the airbox:

I haven't noticed any major change in the sound of the exhaust and a quick test drive on local roads (after fitting the filters) seems to show a better or earlier repsonse on the throttle.

The main thing is that the Green Air Filter fits the air box quite perfectly and snugly.

V8SLK · 12-25-2006

very cool.

did you put your new vrm in too?

DansSlk · 12-25-2006

Good to hear it mate.

Check your mpg you should notice a slight increase

alroumi · 12-25-2006

Congrats on the new modification, Yes they are smaller. As a begginer it took me 45mins to install. Etyu now you only need an ecu upgrade to feel the difference of the re-map, you would gain up 13hp.

Ynot · 12-25-2006

Nice, I was going to order this week but forgot all about it, thanks for the reminder, it looks like my SLK will be garaged for a long time, more snow coming. I'll order later this week when I get back into the office.

etyu · 12-25-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8SLK

very cool.

did you put your new vrm in too?

I will install the later generation roof module in a day or two.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

Good to hear it mate.

Check your mpg you should notice a slight increase

Thanks mate, I will check on that. I didn't know it will improve the mpg but I do take note everytime I fill the tank full of petrol. My average is about 23 to 24 mpg(US gal) with combined city and highway/speedway driving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///AMG 55

As Dan Said,

I get 26mpg with a 55 after the install of the green filters on the highway.

Avg MPG was 24 with the stock filters

and it does rev better

also let me know about how you like that SmartTop module

Glad all the research paid off, and they do fit.

I shall report on the difference between the original issue and later generation roof module over the next few days, planning to do the install in a day or two. RadioShack is closed today (I need some bullet connectors).

Quote:

Originally Posted by alroumi

Congrats on the new modification, Yes they are smaller. As a begginer it took me 45mins to install. Etyu now you only need an ecu upgrade to feel the difference of the re-map, you would gain up 13hp.

Thanks alroumi, I'll research into the ECU remap.

alroumi · 12-26-2006

No prorblem my friend!

mtiede · 12-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by etyu

I will install the later generation roof module in a day or two.
...I shall report on the difference between the original issue and later generation roof module over the next few days, planning to do the install in a day or two. RadioShack is closed today (I need some bullet connectors).
...

I put in the Mods4Cars module. The connectors that they sent were very easy to clamp. And after they are clamped on, you can just push on or pull off the wire from the module so it is easy to connect and disconnect. The biggest problem is finding the right wire in the bundle. After undoing the tape around the wire bundle, it wasn't too hard to find the wires (of course I may have just got lucky on which of those red wires to clamp into), but my point is you may want to just try the connectors first rather than trying to route a wire up to the fuse box which alerts people to the existence of your module.

etyu · 12-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtiede

I put in the Mods4Cars module. The connectors that they sent were very easy to clamp. And after they are clamped on, you can just push on or pull off the wire from the module so it is easy to connect and disconnect. The biggest problem is finding the right wire in the bundle. After undoing the tape around the wire bundle, it wasn't too hard to find the wires (of course I may have just got lucky on which of those red wires to clamp into), but my point is you may want to just try the connectors first rather than trying to route a wire up to the fuse box which alerts people to the existence of your module.

Thanks mtiede, I already routed power from the fuse box (looks stealthy by using MB OEM fuse holder) when I installed the original issue Piecha module (see attached photos).

All I have to do is change the flat connectors on the ones from SmartTop to the bullet type connectors that I prefer (small diameter compared to the flat-type). I also plan to reroute the ground wire to the factory ground near the hood/bonnet release lever at the "kick" panel.

TIP: Always have the female end of the connectors attached to the wire where the power comes from (since this is insulated, there is less chance of shorting a circuit by touching it on the car's metal body panel). The male connector is attached to the wire that leads to the roof module.

etyu · 12-27-2006

Just an update after 2 days of use, with the Green air filters, even the 280 shows a noticeable faster response when one pushes down hard on the accelerator.

I would further recommend to remove the airboxes and air filter and clean them with compressed air (including the air ducts that lead to the air boxes) every 6 months. Even after 7 months and 7300 miles, there is quite an accumulation of dirt and debris (mostly leaves and bugs) in the air ducts and airboxes. I was very surprised to see all the dirt and debris.

Moreover, be careful removing the clip that holds the small rubber tube that leads to the coolant reservoir. The clip is attached to the top of the rightside air duct and I broke mine. I went to the dealer today and they gave me a couple of the same clips (in white instead of black). The service advisor states they're usually broken off. I plan to do a small modification and use velcro and a small plug instead. this way I don't have to break a clip everytime I want to clean/replace the air filter.

I would recommend the Green Air Filters over the OEM paper air filters.

DansSlk · 12-28-2006

Glad its going OK for you mate apart from that one minor issue

etyu · 12-28-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by DansSlk

Glad its going OK for you mate apart from that one minor issue

Thanks Dan. Cheers.

This morning I was busy scrounging around my parts box (actually a fishing tacle box with left-over stuff from past repairs in the house, or scavenged from public places, like near auto repair shops where they may throw away clips and rubber grommets, etc., after the shop has closed its doors. I guess I look like a homeless person picking up stuff). I am on holiday this week.

I found a red plastic double C clamp that is used to hold tubes or hoses apart/align them side by side. I cannot recall exactly where it came from, but it might be inside the water reservoir of the toilet (where I changed out the inner flushing mechanism) and this was used to clamp the central tube at one end and a smaller water tube on the other.

Anyhow, after measuring the diameter of the hole where the clip inserts to on top of the right air duct (it's roughly 7 mm), marking carefully with an ultrafine Sharpie pen, and working with a motor tool, and frequent dry fitting, I was able to fashion a small C-clamp that will hold the rubber hose that runs to the coolant reservoir/overflow tank. (See attached piccies).

C clamp on top of air duct:

Rubber hose secured by C-clamp but easily removed for the future:

Now, when I remove the air ducts, I don't have to worry about breaking clips. (I do have 2 OEM clips that were given to me by the parts person, but it looks like they were designed to be broken off as it is impossible to pry them out).

I hope the above helps out those that may have broken the clips.

DansSlk · 12-29-2006

Hey good idea mate i like the creative thinking.

Never understand the thought in MB's head working on stuff like this they make the most fragile clips possible i bust mine and thats mounted up to the brace ended up wrapping some protective foam around it and zip tying it to the brace along with the ignition check back harness that way its out of the danger zone.

Looks like you already have mate but if you can make sure the pipe stays off the components around the bay as much as possible they rip apart easy and the vibration is enough to start them off and its not a nice thing to have happen.

Ynot · 12-29-2006

Interesting, I think those clips are made to break on purpose to discourage anybody from working on the engine bay, kinda like harddrives with tape and a sticker that says, "break seal voids warranty" that's my guess anyway. I just ordered my greens yesterday, thanks for the tips guys.

etyu · 01-14-2007

After two weeks of driving, I calculated my mpg at 33.7 mpg (US) using the miles traveled and gallons of petrol needed to fill the tank (to a point where the pump automatically shuts off to prevent overfills and spills). I drove 342.3 miles in the last 2 weeks, 122 of those was traveling to and from UCLA to visit my son, and it only took 10.156 US gal to fill up.

Before the green filters, the best mileage I could get was 27.8 mpg and usually it's closer to 25 mpg (I routinely reset the odometer everytime I fill the gas tank, and calculate the mpg out of curiosity).

To sum up, the green air filters:

1. are much better constructed than OEM air filters
2. almost never needs replacement (periodic cleaning and light re-oiling required)
3. allows the engine to rev faster from 0
4. improves fuel economy (results may vary due to different driving habits

)

I believe one can recover the extra cost of the green filters by better fuel economy over time.