What causes a Mercedes E240 to emit smoke after ignition for about one second and occassionally black smoke when accelerating?

The brief smoke emission after ignition in a Mercedes E240 could be due to oil or fuel leaking into the combustion chamber, which burns off upon startup. Occasional black smoke during acceleration typically indicates a rich fuel mixture, suggesting issues like a clogged air filter, malfunctioning fuel injectors, or a faulty mass airflow sensor. It’s advisable to have the vehicle diagnosed by a professional to identify and resolve these issues effectively.