I think different markets may have received different versions. I had always assumed the 4-speed autos went to first gear start with the introduction of the 2.8 and 3.2 HFM versions of the M104, but maybe I'm wrong. A '93 E280 I drove certainly had 1st gear start whereas our '90 300TE (M103) starts in 2nd. Here in Australia, all the coupes from '90 onwards (ie. M104 300CE-24, 320CE, E320) got a 5-speed auto which always started in 2nd. Even my father's '93 E320 coupe starts in 2nd. Because of the overdrive 5th, the final drive ratio is 3.69 (compared to 3.27 for our 300TE and 3.07 for a 300E) which still allows for economical highway touring. This short ratio together with the extra torque of the 3.2 engine makes for respectably fast starts even in 2nd. Full throttle and 1st gear results in a blistering, tyre smoking start! Plenty of "grin factor" at a traffic light derby!

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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.