Is this normal for a mercedes diesel?

[moxwell]

Hello I am a new mercedes diesel owner, although I am not new to diesels. I just bought a 1986 300 sdl and the takeoff is extremely slow, I literally put the pedal to the floor and the car just gradually begins to build steam up until I get into the higher gears and then she just bolts. It feels as if I am pulling a trailer or something. I have had early volvo diesels and current vw and ford diesels and the takeoff performance is considerable faster. Any help on this matter is greatly appreciated