Yes, I had seen that device. I believe it is for later model cars. I assume you're referring to the one with the switch next to the shift lever and requires a "B" position on the shifter.

Our two cars, a '90 & '91 300E, are virtually identical. There must be some simple difference between the transmissions. Everything looks the same but the '91 starts in first gear. I suspect there is something different about the transmission internally. You would never know there's anything different between the two cars by looking at them.

Of course, I'm only assuming the '91 came from the factory with this ability. We're the second owners. Maybe it has been modified somehow. I think it came this way, though, because the original owners didn't seem like the type to have seen the need to change it.