I figure I would add my $0.02. My 1984 300D is a daily driver. I have been regularly out of town and not driving it for up to 3 weeks at a time. Each time I start it the first time, I notice it takes a little extra to crank it, the engine runs a bit rougher and the power steering is not as responsive. After getting it to freeway speeds, it always comes back to normal the next time I start it. I think this is a real notable difference in having a car without a computer to "adjust" for irregular values being reported by sensors.

Dkr.