All MB diesels start out in 1st. Most MB gas models start out in 2nd
unless you do the L thing,
Not true. The Albatross ('79 240D) always started in 2nd, unless
either you floored it or selected L while stopped. L, otherwise,
selected 2nd, btw. This was even in the owner's manual.
The 240D. There's a car in desperate need of a first-gear start,
yet it didn't have one. I'm sure they did it to give it that
sedate cushy car feel, 'cause the 1-2 shift was rather firm.
Kept in S around town, the car essentially had a 2-speed tranny,
and only shifted once. Might help explain how that car had 300+kmi
on it and one of the best-feeling transmissions I'd experienced.
-- Jim
