Well ;

If you like it, I'd think it well worth the $ .

The valve seals will smoke on decel and when you first start it, I'd do a compression test followed by a leak down test before thinking about pulling the heads......

I can dig not wanting to do it your ownself ~ *IF* you have an honest and COMPETENT Mechanic let him have at it but in the proper order please :

Compression test followed (if necessary) by a leak down test, if that's okay then have him do the intake manifold gasket , the valve stem oil seals can be done with the heads in place if he's competent .

If there's low compression or a leak down problem, time to sit back and think how much $ you want to drop in .

To me, every vehicle is a tool and I use them hard so I don't mind putting $ into repairs .

For us old armchair Geezers who know how to do it, this is a fantastic thread .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better