I would not suggest you dive straight into repairing benz then, these cars are a bit unique in their own. You are right on the cryptic part, specially true with MB - the repair manuals (WIS) expects the technician is very well versed in repairing general cars - and the tech also understands how data networks work.
The manuals would not walk you through but more like give you direction only. Toyota manuals are a bit better but slightly goofy too (I love their comic drawings in the old ones and the literal japanese-english translation)
To get correct repairs on these cars you should have an aptitude to look at an assembly and know how its put together. The manual will hint you for any anomaly.
btw - tear down the 22R toyota, its a pretty simple engine to put together and also adjust, the MB CIS is a PITA to adjust, similarly some oddities like sealing the timing case on the benz 103 engines or installing the cam seal behind the distributor etc. Anyone can slap it together - it will leak, someone who carefully looks at it will spend 5 minutes more and it wont leak.
For true "hold your hand and walk you through" manuals were old VW ones and old GM and Ford manuals. British ones were nice too but had the oddball British humor placed within.
