I assume this is a W140? If so, you likely have a similar electronic setup to the W126. It's possible for there to be a poor ground connection in the instrument cluster. There are also electrolytic capacitors that dry out and fail. When they go, the odometer and/or speedometer can go flaky or quit working altogether.

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Current stable:
1995 E320 157K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 125K (SLoL)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Gone and wanting to forget:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™) [Definitely NOT a Benz]