I see. Haven't tried any real hills yet (ain't got any available right where I live).
Help me out with this question, though. IIRC, the max torque of the OM617 occurs at 2400rpm, no? So at that speed with a taller rear diff you wouldn't be perhaps worse off than with the 2.88 as your engine RPMs would be closer to the torque max giving the car more "climbing abiliy"??? Hmmm
I don't know. I am only talking about the situation you presented - obviously, in general, 2.88 revs up faster.