Jamie, you already got your answer about head removal. I did not had to remove the head, neither you have to do on your car. The only special tool I needed was "Valve Spring Compressor", it is a mercedes specialty tool for overhead cams. None of the rental ones work for this job. Mercedes tool is very expensive, but closest alternative is KD tool(KD 3087). I paid $65.00 with shipping for the valve compressor, for the most part it worked fine.

__________________
87 420 SEL
Looking for a nice mid 80's MB diesel.
87 BMW 528e (Sold)
99 TOYOTA 4Runner
1989 Honda Accord (Sold)
1988 Honda Accord (Total)