It is very easy to remove the springs with lifting on the 123 and 126, done both recently front and back. The key is to remove the entire front control arm, it does not swing enough out of the way there is still tension-not enough to cause damage after 30 years on the springs, but new springs would have more tension. The rears come out very easily, just undo the shock at the top and unbolt the rear subframe, jack it up. Getting them back in would be tricky lining up bolts and jacking the control arm back up-not impossible but harder. I don't use a coil spring compressor at all, mine wore out a long time ago and is no longer safe. I would not remove springs this way with a hoist, it could be a problem trying to support the control arm while on the hoist and really stress one side/end and unbalance the car on the hoist.
Anyways, when stripping down a car few tools are needed, just undo and remove the weight and they are easily removed.