It sounds like a fuel delivery issue especially considering it has sat for period of time. If it has sat year after year for a few months at a time it is possible that even with low miles, the pump could have fouled and is failing. I have "rehabbed" pumps by taking them off and circulating seafoam through them, but that is not a particularly long lasting solution. They are easily accessible, under the right rear of the car if you need to replace it. You can detach the supply line at the distributor and jump the fuel relay and see if it is pumping and adequate amount. I dont know if you are going to get your hands dirty but that is step two. If it were completely dead it would not start at all.

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1981 300TD
2005 C55
2004 E500
1999 ML430
1992 400E
1998 C43
2001 SL500
1988 300SEL
1986 190E 16V
1991 190E 2.6