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Comments:
1. The water pump is easily accessible and done when the rest of the work is being done, darned considerably less than the book 6 hours.
2. The UPPER guides don't need timing cover removal. HOWEVER, if a piece or pieces fell in the engine, I'm pretty sure some serious work is required to drop the oil pan to get it, unless you are lucky and can account for everything. There have been SOME who have left them there - personnally, I wouldn't do this.
3. Even a genuine MB part is less than the price you mention for the water pump, list. Less expensive replacements (some have iffy opinions about them) are available.
4. 150K is "not too soon"; I think # of years are also involved.
5. Typically this DOES happen at startup; the consensus is that the tensioner (which you also MUST replace but not very expensive) gets old, leaks, and doesn't keep the chain tight upon startup until oil pressure returns, the chain slaps the guides, they break, and so forth. BTW check your valve cover to see if it cracked - used, not too bad but $$$ new.
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