You should be glad your mechanics are not doctors recommending a heart replacement because of indigestion.
The 230SL has a cold start valve and a solenoid on the injection pump (moves the pump to full rich) to help with starting. Both are controlled by relays. The cold start relay needs ground from the thermo-time switch to work properly.
Suggest you join as a full member, download the color wiring diagram in the technical manual, and take it to the mechanics. If they can't understand it, you need to find another mechanic.
CT