Mann FilterC 31 002 Air Filter Element

Amazon Garage says that the Mann C31002 engine air filter does not fit my 2005 Boxster S, a first generation 987 model. Amazon is WRONG! This filter is an exact replacement for the factory filter. It even has the plastic boot that fits over one end. To replace your filter is ‘difficult’, if you’ve never accessed your engine before. Several YouTube videos teach the process. If you already know how to get into the engine compartment, it is an easy job. The filter is in a black plastic housing on the driver’s side (on American driver’s side.) Remove two Phillips screws holding the housing cover, then lift cover straight up. Old filter is held by one more Phillips screw located towards front. Remove this screw. Study the filter, so you will remember how it sits in the housing. Now slide old filter towards front of car, to disengage it from the air intake. Notice that the throat of the filter fits over top of the mating air intake on the car - not inside it. Wiggle old filter out. Clean interior of housing with damp cloth. Put a tiny bit of liquid dish soap on INNER surface of the throat of the new filter to lubricate it. Guys, don’t use WD40 - it’s a solvent. Wiggle new filter into the plastic housing, with the black boot facing front of car and air intake throat facing rear. This, by the way, is a pain - just keep wiggling and it will eventually go in. Now slide the soapy lubricated throat over top the air intake flange. This can be fiddly too, just be patient. When properly seated, the screw hole on the black boot should mate up with the mounting tab. Now reinstall the Phillips screw on the mounting tab. Clean and dry your housing cover, slip it back in place (big tab goes into the mating slot), then replace the last two Phillips screws. Record your filter change in your maintenance log and crack open a cold beer. :-)

Although Amazon says this filter doesn't fit a 2004 Porsche Boxster, it actually does. However, you'll need to check the type of air filter your Boxster uses first. The standard 986 Boxster may require the older panel style of air filters. Mine is a 2004 Porsche Boxster S Limited Edition, which has several upgraded parts used in the newer 987 model. This filter is the correct one for my Boxster. The installation is straightforward, but it takes some time to put the car into maintenance mode before you can access the filter. Overall, the quality of the filter is excellent, and I would highly recommend this OEM-quality brand to German car owners.

Installing an air filter on a 987.1 Boxster is a real pain. To ensure that the end, with the rubber gasket, is secure on the plastic intake tube is done blindly and takes my many tries to get it rights. As for this specific filter, it fits well and seems to filter air going into the engine. Once again, I can't see why a genuine Porsche filter would be any better, so this item does the job at a great price.

Exactly the filter that was in my Cayman

The air cleaner of the Porsche made installation a time consuming and somewhat frustrating process because of visibility inside the cleaner.

Glue came loose!

The fit is great. Porsche could have done a better job of making the accessibility to replace the air filters easier.