There's a good DIY called "Replacing the Front Door Panel on the 1999 W210 E300D" by uberwgn (11/12/06) so I'll limit myself to mentioning a few things I learned while removing my (very similar) 1996 driver's door panel.

1. The FSM (DVD version) instructions don't mention removing the door lock knob (they always seem to miss something). I also found it was convenient to screw the knob back on first when replacing the panel on the door -- it helps keep the panel from falling off while you're getting everything lined up.

2. There are a lot more pop-clips than I expected (9 total) holding the panel onto the door. They pop out fairly easily but it sure helps to know ahead of time where they are. See the first picture.

3. Once the panel is loose, there are only three things to remove -- the door latch release cable, the wires to the puddle lamp, and the connector to the power seat switch. The airbag stays with the door and doesn't have to be touched. See the second picture.

4. Those of us who are familiar with the trim plate in the handle recess from working on 123, 124, 126 and similar models (and even old VW Beetles) know that the panel slips out fairly easily. Not so the 210, it has four clips that lock it in place and I managed to break one. Picture #3 shows my attempt to glue the thing back together; I won't know until later whether my repair will be successful.

Overall, not a bad job, easier than the 124, I think.

Jeremy

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__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970