I have a medium size (300E) MB with a manual and I wouldn't want one any other way. In Europe, even S class cars with manuals are common. I had the pleasure of driving a 126 gasser with a five speed and it was WONDERFUL!

Either you're a stick shift lover or you're not. A true stick shift lover wants a stick in anything and everything he drives. That's me.

As for hills, I normally drive on relatively flat roads, but I have indeed driven a stick a good little bit in San Francisco. My only regret was that I could only go DOWN Lombard Street, not up. Starting from a Stop sign or red light on the steepest of hills I can start well without rolling back AT ALL! Again, practice makes perfect.