CS,
I feel some of your pain, BUT, do yourself a favor, PLEASE.
Get the plugs, wires, and CVswitch replaced, get an opinion on the timing chain and make a decision. THEN, watch the oil level and color, water level, transmission fluid level, and gas milage. If any changes or becomes excessive have it checked, until then, drive it and be proud you had something to do with saving and working on the old Brownie MB.
Chris

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Christopher Henkel
1990 190E 2.6 - Arctic white SOLD
1986 190E-16v - Blauswartze
1993 300CE - SOLD
2003 W208 CLK 320 Cabriolet - Magma Red