I prefer the automatic with the Turbocharged engines because they pull really hard before during and after the shift with no loss of boost. They are a very robust automatic.
I prefer the standard with 240's without a doubt, and probably with the NA OM617 also.
I prefer the automatic for the E300 diesel because an autotranny "fits the car"...

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John