A thread like this comes up from time to time on another board I'm on-http://www.crownvic.net. On that board, it's generally known that the Ford AOD tranny has a weak 4th (overdrive) gear and should not be cycled more than needed. With the 722 MB trans, I am aware of no such weakness. My Benz goes in D before I leave the parking lot and there it stays.

BTW, my Sammy has an even better setup. It goes into whatever gear I choose, when I choose-manual 5 speed. I wish all my cars were manual (pauses for poetic reflection about slushbox-loving American new car buyers)

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.