My neighbor's 96 C280 Starter change...
 

neighbor has a bad starter, it only clicks... looking it over, it looks cramped.

anybody got any tips on where to start on this non Diesel vehicle?

the chassis looks like a smoothed 124... what chassis is it?

I'd rather not pull the intake if I don't have to...

thanks in advance.

It is a PAIN to do the starter on a C280 like your neighbors, but very doable with the right tools. I've done some in the past. This is the W202 chassis that replaced the W201 in 1994. A long extension with a universal joint socket works best. Bottom bolt(s) are cake to get to, it's just that top bolt. That's why I said you'll need a long extension(s) with a uni-joint socket. Oh and turn the steering wheel, the steering arm really gets in the way during the R/R.

If it is anything like the starter on my M102 I'd just take off the manifold - or hire in someone with magic midget hands and very long arms