you can also use a interior trim tool from autozone to pop the spark plug leads off the the plugs.

to make a clone of the tool you can buy an offset box wrench from homedepot etc and stop by a muffer shop, ask them to chop off half the head of the 17mm box wrench. You then would have a MB looking tool that works perfectly.

I'm going to take all of your info to a new independent local MB mechanic.

I really appreciate the help, and I will definitely follow up with the diagnosis, repair, and how the old benz is running (always nice to have those at the end of the posts!) !:rolleyes::cool:

FWIW, I did have two other codes that appeared once last week, and haven't returned.

PO4032
PO4022

They are "inefficiencies" of the Left & Right Catalytic Converters. Car hasn't stumbled in awhile.... and it definitely is more severe/problematic after a long run or such when the engine is NICE & WARM!

Thx again