I crack the #6 injector line at the FD and got the same result; no fuel at cranking, but fuel would come out if I stuffed the accelerator to get it started while cranking.

I highly doubt that the Fuel filter failed. When I say it's due for a change, I'm going on my own preventative maintenance scale: It's been a bit over 30k mi on this filter (changed by me; OEM filter from Phil) and I believe that the MB recommended interval is 60k mi.

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Currently:
1972 350SL Euro 4spd
1973 BMW R75/5
1981 BMW R80GS
1995 FZJ80 with OM606 Conversion In Progress