Check the Yakima fitment catalog at your local cycling store. I think it recommends not leaving the rack on a 124 Mercedes because it interferes with the doors. I could be wrong about which chassis, but I think it's the 124.

I used a similar Yakima rack with big rubber feet on both my old Ford and 123 sedan. Best suggestion is to wax the heck out of the area under the feet just before installing it. You'll still get a bit of wear, but it should clean up easily enough with a product such as Meguirs #7 or #9 after removing the rack. The Mercedes paint is much tougher than the Acura paint, so the damage will be less.

My solution was to buy a 124 wagon. Got new mounts for the Yakima which attach it to the roof rails. Only way to go - nothing touches the paint, nothing interferes with the door seals.

- JimY