<<First gear starts are more common on later models -- the W108 and W116 V8 trannies all start in first (three speeds), the W124 diesels start in first (W124 gassers usually start in 2nd unless you floor it), and some of the 210 and newer trannies start in first, depending on application.>>
124 first gear start began in 1991. At least in the 300E. And of course the five-speeders start in first unless winter mode is selected. I converted my '89 190E 2.6 to 1st gear start (well, not me really. It was done by the shop foreman at the dealer using instructions from MBUSA) about 1992 by removing the spring behind the kick-down piston in the valve body. RLE
