this discussion make me feel better too about my 1st to 2nd grind I get on my 300d 4pd. I just try to not get in a hurry until I'm in 2nd. Us diesel drivers know about that deep rumble in the low rpms...does that constitute 'lugging'? Making a very slow turn around a city corner I'll quite oftern leave it in 2nd, and I get a little rumble, but the same trick a little faster in 3rd will sometime have passengers aking what the hell is wrong with my car.