I have a '70 220D that I use as my daily driver. Yes, they are dangerously slow if you're pulling out onto the highway and haven't had a chance to get it up to speed. They have no pickup to speak off, and I have to shift down to 2nd and go 20mph to go up a hill on my way home (left turn across traffic, so I'm doing 10mph max before I tackle the hill). It was a huge adjustment from the BMW X5 4.4 that I drove before, but I've changed my driving style and really love the 220D.

They're smaller than the 300s, and not as nice inside. 220Ds are very proletarian cars, unlike most Benzes.

I would definitely insist on starting it from cold.