Buy the Victor Reinz Head Gasket "Set". It has all the gaskets you will need for the job including that front timing cover gasket. I was very happy with my kit.
Check the hose that goes from the back of the head to the heater...usually that is cracked from the underneath. I actually just cut the end off mine and plugged it back in...there should be enough slack to do that.
You do not need to take off the intake side with the head!!! Leave it all alone...just unplug the sensors that attach to the head, unbolt and push it aside. It saved me a TON of time and hassle. I wouldn't even want to think about doing all the vacuum connections and leads had I taken that off with the head.
You may need to get creative for a bolt that goes through the middle of the timing chain sprocket. I forgot the name, but its in the link below midway through. I used a bolt and a nut to get it off.
This thread should help you too. It helped me all the way through.
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=49516