The circlip style chain is perfectly fine on the gas engines. The diesels are a different story however. IIRC MB stopped selling the circlip style for diesels, because of problems with the possibility of failure. Unless you get some old stock, all the diesel replacement chains are the crimp style. By the way you don't need a special crimping tool. Two ball peen hammers work just fine. Most people don't even know why it's called a BALL PEEN. Also don't woory about the reduced pin size where the clip goes, because there is no stress there. Hopefully you have a replacement chain with two small clips. I don't think the single clip style is available anymore. If you have a single clip, the solid end goes in the direction of travel.

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