Hi, I kind of stumbled across this forum I participate on 5 others, I have been a longtime MB owner 300TDT, 560SEC, 560 SL, 320 ML, 500 SEL (140) and 320 ET. I enjoy limited wrenching, and lovetechnical challenges. My 85 300 did not give much grief. my 89 SEC and SL were mostly under warranty, my short lived 89 ML spent most of its life in the shop, and my 92 SEL has given me good service but at a dear price (AC, Bose, Locking Pump, suspension, motor mounts, bushings) The 01 E is just a nice all around wagon.
Moving to a condo has curtailed my wrenching, but I still do some non major stuff. The first thing I would suggest is to get the MB DVD for your car or ALL Data subscription
I hope some of you can use my comments and proceedures, I keep on learning there is a good page on the 140 body especially the lock pump.
http://v12uberalles.com/