bit more on the history of the car - bought in July 2003 at 123700 miles, in generally very good and well cared for condition. Everything is - or looks - original and well maintained. Appears to have been used as a short trips vehicle (123700 / 14 = 8800 miles/year) so may have suffered much 'cold' running. It does indeed burn a fair amount of oil (much more than the 235000 mile 380SE we previously owned) and does around 18 to the gallon. Service history is unknown, though there are indications it was looked after by a local reputable MB dealer.
I'm just concerned that only one of the cylinders has this heavy build up of dark brown deposits - the remaining seven are almost perfectly clean. That plus the pinking has me wondering ...............