I just replaced mine. Car has 58k miles on it and seems like cabin air filter has never been replaced before. It takes 10 minutes to replace it (did it on my break at work). Since it is so cold in Chicago, I have the heating on and now the air smells so fresh

 

Your filter is dirty, no doubt, but the gray color on the OEM filter is charcoal to get rid of bad odors. Your replacement filter looks like it's for filtration only, minus the charcoal.

 

really? Hmmm.... The new replacement filter is also OEM...

 

My OEM cabin filters have always been white. I didn't thing Honda/Acura made a charcoal version for the 3GTL. All the charcoal ones I've seen have been aftermarket.

 

That makes me feel much better

 

yeah you got an oem, dont worry. some aftermarket ones have the charcoal lining to help with odors, but its unlikely you'll notice any difference. i just put in one that has a charcoal lining 2 weeks ago. i cant tell the difference in smell between the old and new

 

Here's a great thread on the subject.
https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-diy-faq-161/info-%96-why-use-carbon-cabin-filter-part-numbers-869210/

 

Lol that's not charcoal, thats a mixture of mold and dirt.

 

He's talking about some of new filters come with charcoal linings. Yes the filter on the left is mold and dirt. I just did mine today, the new filter, Fram filter, store did not have Wix in stock. But anyways the Fram filter did have charcoal lining on the bottom of it. You can see my new filter is darker than your new one which your is very white.

 

I just replaced mine and it looked like something you would need a biow suite for lol it was bad. i just got the car about a month ago it has not been changed for 118,000 miles if i had to guess.