Ditto, the starter reman and yes it is much easier on the W126. When you get the car raised, crank the wheels all the way to the left and there is just enough space to remove it without taking a bunch of stuff apart. (Mine went out just this past weekend, just before the GTG, and the task is still fresh in my memory.)

Also, from my experience, it is worthwhile just to change all of the glow plugs and be done with it. I know, many will say that they can be checked with a meter but the problem is checking across a cold glow plug doesn't really confirm their heating characteristics. A more sure way is to remove the plug and power it up while suspended in free air, maybe even checking it with an infrared thermometer. But by the time you do all of that, it is just as easy to go ahead and change them out. Especially if it has been a few years since the last replacement. I've never found that trying to save one or two was worth all of the headaches.

__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )