The automatic transmission always starts in 2nd gear. So it shifts from 2 to 3 to 4. That's it. 1st gear is only used if you smash the pedal to the floor from a complete stop.

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1999 E300 Turbo - 112K miles
1987 300D Turbo - 89K miles
1984 190D 5spd - 152K miles
1969 220D Auto - 170K miles