The single most-discussed maintenance item: early-90s engine harnesses used biodegradable insulation that eventually crumbles. Experts insist it affects only the engine harnesses (upper/injector and lower/starter-alternator), is available new cheaply, and is a roughly one-hour job; a minority report far more extensive failures spreading through the whole car.
Engine wiring harness with biodegradable insulation
Mercedes-Benz 500E / E500 (W124) · mechanical