First gear start + turbodiesel diff = ultimate combo?

[rmasteller]

I pick up my 1997 E300D on Thursday and I was thinking about future (1+ years from now) improvements. On this specific model year, with the N/A engine and the 5-speed transmission, has anyone thought about the combination of first gear start and a taller diff?

The transmission would have to be tricked, er, I mean reprogrammed, to always start in 1st gear. Adding a differential from a 98-99 turbo diesel would then make all the gears "taller", so first gear wouldn't be so jerky or abrupt. Also, 4th gear would become an overdrive and 5th gear a super overdrive! On hills, if the car shifted down to 4th gear then it wouldn't be a big deal. It might shift to 3rd frequently with the measly 135hp or so.

Speedometer/odometer would have to be modified.

Anyway, that's just some "pie in the sky" rambling thoughts from a new-to-diesels guy.