First gear start is optional in my SL just by pulling the gearshift lever into 1st gear,,,, no big deal. The attraction of the 96 and later models is the 5 speed tranny. I would like to have one, but the real world difference is probably minimal.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K