For Mercedes vehicles, I would stay from any type of "clam shell" or "cheap" compressor. The alternative is death, or extreme damage.

The ONLY coil spring compressor I would use on a Mercedes is the type that has two circular plates and worm-screw compression.

They are expensive ($600!) but you're life is worth much more.

Either rent one from Performance Products, call them (http://www.************************), or have an independent that has this tool do the work.

My indep. Mercedes tech. charges me $40 to change out the front springs.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E