That's what happens when you have too many cars....

I suspect you have a bad starter along with an excessive current draw. However, running the battery down flat repeatedly will kill a typical auto battery, get a series 49 battery to replace it with. Just barely fits (huge!) but will tolerate more charge/discharge cycles.

If you can measure starter draw, it should be less than 1000 amps (they pull quite a bit!) and starter must turn the engine at least 100 rpm for 15 sec, else it ain't gonna start cold.

you can try running the GP extra, too, that helps some. Should fire up instantly in good shape.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!