Mercedes-Benz G-Class Air Filter Replacement Parts

Yes – every variant of the G-Class, whether petrol or diesel, naturally aspirated or turbocharged, uses an air filter as part of its engine induction system, so the part exists across the entire model range. The G-Class has been produced in essentially one body style (the iconic boxy off-roader) through successive generations, but the air filter itself is determined by the engine fitted, not the body. Make sure you know your engine code before sourcing a used unit from a breaker.

The W460 ran from 1979 to 1991, the W461 is the military/utility variant that continued alongside civilian models, and the W463 launched in 1989 and ran through to 2018 before being replaced by the current W464 (from 2018 onwards) – these generations used different engine families, so the air filter housings and filter elements are unlikely to cross over. Engine code is the critical detail here: a G270 diesel engine takes a different filter to a G500 V8 petrol, regardless of which W-series body it sits in. Confirm compatibility with the breaker by supplying your registration or VIN so they can check the exact engine code against their donor vehicle.

Trim and badge names on the G-Class reflect the engine fitted rather than cosmetic grades in the way Ford Zetec or Titanium do, so a G350 (diesel straight-six), G500 (petrol V8) and G63 AMG (petrol V8 biturbo) each have different engines and therefore different air filters – but it is the engine code, not the badge, that determines the correct part. Two vehicles both badged G500, for instance, may carry different V8 engine codes depending on the model year, so always verify the engine code from your V5 or a VIN check rather than relying on the badge alone. Supply that code to the breaker and they can match it to their stock accurately.

The W463 generation ran from 1989 right through to 2018 and received a significant facelift around 2012, with various engine changes introduced across that long production run, so a 2015 and a 2018 car are both late W463s but may well have different engine codes depending on spec. Whether the air filter crosses that boundary depends entirely on whether both vehicles share the same engine code, which is the single most useful detail you can supply. Confirm with the breaker by giving them both the engine code from your V5 and your registration, and ask them to check it against the donor vehicle's engine code before purchasing.

Yes – different engine variants require different air filter elements and housings, and a turbocharged engine such as the OM642 diesel V6 or the biturbo AMG V8 will have a different filter specification to an older naturally aspirated unit. The filter itself is not turbo-specific in the sense that some engines are; every engine needs an air filter, but the part number is tied to the engine code rather than simply whether it is turbocharged or not. Check your engine code on your V5 or via a VIN check and pass that to the breaker – that is the quickest way to ensure you are quoted the correct part.

Air filters are generally low-cost new parts, so many buyers do opt to replace them with an aftermarket or OEM new unit rather than sourcing used; however, a used air filter in good condition from a low-mileage donor vehicle can be a perfectly legitimate option, particularly if it has seen little use or was recently replaced on the breaker's vehicle. The key fitment check remains the same either way – match the engine code from your V5 to the donor engine code – and a reputable breaker should be able to tell you the mileage and condition of the part. Ask the breaker about the service history of the donor vehicle if condition matters to you.