does anyone know what the small metal pin is just above the door handles on the inside of each door?
i pushed one in and now it wont come back out.
any help here?

 

It's a small light that lights the handle area. Only way to retrieve it will be to take the door panel off.

 

what panel do i remove? any help in doing this?

 

the dealer might fix it for you if you are under warranty.

 

first remove the wood by using a plastic screw driver and popping up from the edges, it is held by clips do this slowly.
then remove the door handle cover, yes there is a cover on the handle, and just remove it by using the same screwdriver and popping open the front facing cover.
then u see 3 screws, remove those
then the panel with the seat buttons easily comes off
then you can see the area where this door light is and u can use twesers and a flat thin screwdriver to push it back in.
everything removes easily without any force at all so make sure u dont use much force.
its all pop on parts.

 

Looks like you figured it out.

But for future reference, there are training CDs for sale at this MB tech website (or on a link that you can find from this website to mercedestechstore.com)

There is a CD for the W220 that you can buy for US$95.

You will see that the free taste example they show includes a short video on how to remove the driver's door panel.