1991 300CE, 179m.

I have owned this car since 6/2002, 111m.

The start has always been a little hesitant. With a cold start, on occasion it will fire up immediately, (like a modern EFI car), but most of the time it takes a few beats. It has gotten progressively worse and now takes 2 tries to start. Hot starts after a few minutes are OK but anything longer results in a difficult start. The car will lug a bit before smoothing out.

Battery a bit old, changed at 11/2003, 125m.

Cap and rotor last changed 10/2006, 141m.

Fuel accumulator changed at 3/2007, 143m, with no change to start.

New plugs, old ones all look pretty good, 11/2009, 160m.

Other than the start, car drives and idles perfectly.

Because the car drives normally, what can you eliminate as suspect with a hard start?

Thanks,

glenmore
1991 300CE
1999, 2000 C280
2000 C230K