Ed:The older MB bodies were dropped onto front subframe (shades of days when there was a full frame underneatch, pre-1053!).
Starting in 1976 with the W123 chassis, all engines were installed from above (the main reason for the extra wide opening hood).
However, all MB engine/transmissions come out the top nicely. Not true of Audi or may other frontwheel drive cars, including GM. Peter
