This is an interference engine. That's why the engine came to a stop while you rotated it. Your plan of fishing the chain through and rotating the crank is sound if you turn the cams at the same time at half the rotational rate. But I'm afraid your problem may be bigger than the timing chain. If the chain broke while driving, you can expect damage to the intake and exhaust valves.

You're probably correct about the tensioner. The tensioner needs to be removed, then reinstalled correctly AFTER the chain is installed, or else the timing chain is under tremendous pressure. That's because the tensioner design includes a one-way ratchet that won't retract the plunger once the chain goes slack. Reinstalled correctly means it must be disassembled, the tensioner body mounted back on the engine, then the tensioner internals inserted back into the tensioner body.

Make sure the plastice chain guides are not damaged.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K