bushings are cheap if i remember correctly... as for the honda comparison, i sincerely doubt that unless you're comparing it to some electronic components of a modern car.

Just to give you an idea... an average balljoint for jap sedans go for 300 bucks replacement 600 bucks OEM, W123, 800+ each and you need a big press thing to get it to fit right...

one monotube bilstein oem shock for W123 costs almost 3K... which isn't that bad coz it's gas tube.

mahina talaga blower ng lumang benz, maybe there's a way to change the blower to a stronger one... dunno... as long as the brackets are the same, I don't think it'll be an issue what compressor to use.