YES!! make sure you replace your starter before the colder months. (If you drive your MB in the colder months) When i first bought my 240D EURO, when it started, it sounded like an old farm tractor starting (at least that's what it reminded me of) It sounded fine to me. Of course i took ownership of it, it was winter and i didn't have another car like i do now. To make a long story short, i was excited to have my Mercedes, and the glow plug relay went out. Well we were going threw a cold spell and i was starting my car every 2 hours to try and keep it warm uintil i replaced the GP relay. Well the starter finally went out, in my friends apartment complex lot. Ne4edless to say, i was on the snow covered grown, in -4 deg. weather, changing the starter out. WOW what a difference that made. It was like you said flounder, completley night and day.

__________________
1983 Euro 240D 277K
2016 Mazda 6
Coming Soon, 2013 Mercedes E350 Bluetec
Formers:
2012- Mazda 3
2007 Outlander- complete pile
1995 E300 Diesel 208K
2007 VW Passat 2.0T 63K SOLD
2003 Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sport Sold 04/11 w/88K
2009 Lexus RX350 9061 miles. Sold 04/09
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS:Totaled Sept.,09 @ 24,000
2003 Infiniti I35 58K Sold
1984 300 turbo diesel 222K