Mates

Hey guys,
I've recently purchased a W210 chassis E200 (M111). The car starts very poorly - cranking for maybe 5 seconds plus gas pedal tapping, especially when warm, but when it finally starts up, it holds idle perfectly, doesn't smoke, and just all-around functions well, I don't even think the fuel consumption is out of the ordinary (judging from the fuel gauge). I smell gas coming from the front of the vehicle, and the fuel pump whines while running.

Thank you for suggestions on what the problem (or multiple problems) could be.

Plutoe

while running, open the hood and identify the leak points