"Off the line" constitutes a dead stop. Make sure you shift it into first gear. At a dead stop, drop your automatic shifter all the way into the lowest gear. Then you can either shift it back to drive or get ready to manually upshift. Normally just starting out in drive, they are in second.

__________________
1979 240D Caledonia Green/cream gone
1982 240D stick Ivory/Palimino
1999 E300D White/grey