You can remove the air bag on a W126 without pulling the wheel. Its pretty simple actualy did it once, someone needed the plastic cover and I had a spare.

I can safely say that I am not the slightest bit concerned about this.

If you want new air bags that bad cough up the money for a new car. Even new Kia's blow up like a ballon when you are hit. They have like 10 side impact airbags, nice to know if you are ever hit.

__________________
2006 CL500
2009 C300 4matic
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200