********** UPDATE ********

I wanted to follow through with you guys on what ended up being the problem. After my last post, I drove the car again - and again, got a no 'crank'/no 'start'. Had to whack the starter again with a BFH, and was on my way. At that point, I ordered a starter from phil at fastlane. As I was on vacation, I just got back yesterday. It was waiting on me. Really nice reman Bosch unit. I replaced it and all seems fantastic. I think it might've been the starter solenoid that was sticking. I do believe the starter was original - so I guess I could expect a 10-year-old starter to go out.

----- wanted to pass on the steps I used to replace it, as I didn't see this posted anywhere else. It was VERY SIMPLE - this is for a '95 E320 W124.

(and please use this at your own risk)
1) got the car high enough off the ground with my floor jack, and put two jackstands under the front, lower control arms (as I as going to need full access to the center of the undercarriage). Pull negative batt cable.
2) pull the plastic 'skid' plate underneath
3) sliding under the car, right behind the rear tire, this is where you'll do most of your work. You'll see the starter right underneath the oil filter housing. Two bolts attach it to the transmission bellhousing, and two electrical connections attach to the nose of the starter.
4) I removed one bolt from the oil pan. It's the one that has the metal 'wire' loom that two black lines (I think vacuum) sit right underneath the starter. Just pulled the bolt, slid the loom to the front of the engine - to open the space for the starter to slide out next to the oil pan.
5) Pulled the two electrical connections to the starter. The large cable that attaches to the nose of the starter, I used a screwdriver to pry off the rubber 'sheath' that exposes the nut. I used a 3/8" ratchet on both of these fastners. I think you might have better luck if you slide further under the car, toward the front, and use your left hand. A shop light shining down from above helped.
6) used a 3/4" ratchet to pull the two starter bolts. One with a standard depth socket. The top bolt, with a deepwell socket. Not much room for extensions. (on assembly, I used an air rachet to snug the bolts back down - saved a lot of time).

---- pretty much, that was it. Very, very simple. Pulling it, probably took 60 minutes. Replacing it, 30. Good luck. I hope this helped someone out.

---- thanks again to all that replied to my urgent cry for help. I greatly appreciate it. Especially Arthur Dalton - owe you a beer, my friend. Regards, 71Rcode