My 1981 300D is just the opposite. It uses a fair bit of oil in daily driving which involves ten miles to work and back. The valve seals are worn. However, I have driven long distance at interstate speeds and the oil consuption is nil by comparision. Obviously, the old valve seals perform better on a warm engine than a cold engine.

__________________
Current:
1985 300D aka Miss Margaret
1991 300SE aka Alarice
1995 SL320 aka Samantha
1997 K1500 Silverado
Past:
1999 E300 ex-wife got it and let her son ruin it
1984 190 2.3 ex-wife got it and let her son destroy a great car
1985 300D (CA version) aka Maybelline lost to deer at high speed.
1981 300D aka Madeline (went to salvage at near 400k) rusty, yet best car I ever drove
Wishlist:
McFarlan TV6 (only a few privately owned)
ReVere with Rochester engine
1917 Premier (only one left)