Never fails, does it!?
DEFINITLY sounds like a symptom of the infamous OverVolt Protection Relay, AKA OVP. Do a search on "OVP" and you'll come up with loads of info.

On late 80's and early 90s 6 cylinder engines, the OVP was many times faulty causing stalling, no warm-engine starts (cranks, but no fire), and the ABS light illuminated. It's only a 50 dollar part and you can change it yourself! Many of the soldier joints were bad (made in Hungary?) and also jump-starting with the Mercedes can cause it to go bad.

GOOD LUCK!

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)