Just an update for future searchers, it was the CPS (crankshaft position sensor).
It got progressively worse though, last night I had to wait up to 40 minutes before I could restart it, blocking rush our traffic for miles.
Original part number: 003-153-2728, new part number (on the sensor I put in): 003-153-2828. Thanks for dickiegoodman for the writeup. Now that I know where it is and know how to access it, it would probably take me 15 minutes to change it. The dealership quoted me 1.5 hours labor. Disgusting.
It is an easy do it yourselfer (at least on a 2000 E320 it is) and I didn't have the torx socket, I used a regular one, not recommended though.


Alex

this CPS thing is so prevalent that I just bought one and tossed it on the shelf,
since it's just a matter of 'when.' haven't quite done the same for window
regulator yet.

__________________
-- raymond~
47º 34'N 122º 18'W