im having the same trouble in my 86 300e. mine has 126k on it and is idling rough and it starts on the second or third crank...
^ BEFORE

v NOW
this morning i went to go and get start the car before work. i cranked it over 3 short times and still nothing, so i held on the started for 10-12 seconds engine continued to crank... until if finally fired up on the 2nd 12 sec. crank.

I need to fix this tonight this is my only car while my jeep is in the body shop (GF decided to remodel the front-end)

thanks!