I've never seen one of those articles. I seem to recall the MB Buyer's Guide saying something about the shifter being rubbery or something, but the book is not without some other inexplicable statements. I think the 300E sticks are great. I've driven several and owned one back to back and slightly overlapping with a 300SL stick. The 300E stick is just light years better than a 129 stick for driveability. But I don't think I'd touch that car - the picture of the rusty dent would indicate it's a Michigan car now, regardless of where it came from. Then add to that the engine problems.