dirty filters can restrict air flow. Changing them wont help make your a.c. BE colder, but being able to move more air with a little less restriction COULD help make it FEEL colder.

Basically if Mine were that old, I would change them even without the thought of the a.c.

I got my 02 back in 09 and changed them right away, I dont know if they were the factory ones still in there or not, but they were filthy.