Since both my legs remain functional (at least so far as a clutch is concerned), and since I no longer have to drive my vintage Benzes in heavy traffic, and since I still enjoy deciding what gear I should be in, I just prefer the manual shift. Especially since the vintage automatics in the smaller-engined Mercedes I've owned haven't exactly been models of efficiency.
Though I have become rather fond of 'Miss Diesel', my 1982 'lazy man's' automatic 240D, the fuel mileage penalty is pretty stiff when compared to my heavier & quicker 5-speed '84 Euro 300TD, which typically manages at least 5 mpg better.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW