Yep, you are correct, the original Mercedes filters are somewhat different from the Purolator Filter that I used, but that was all that I was able to find at the time... That said, and after having changed dozens of cabin filters in the past on many different vehicle types, I have wondered what difference there really is between the charcoal types and non-charcoal types??? It seems like cutting hairs to me, but that's just my opinion....

But, if you can get a charcoal type filter at a better cost, why not buy it, right? I would have.

Regards -- Bob