this happened to me as well....my story doesn't have a happy ending...

i bought a 1988 300e in late october in mint condition with 108k on it.... in January, one night....not cold... I started it up and put it in reverse....car went crazy..... i freaked and hurriedly put it in drive.... however I was near the street and the car went into the street and a truck literally rolled over the drivers side front fender and hood area...

it effectively totaled the car.... the cops felt so bad... they didn't even ticket me... the truck driver was sympathetic as well.

no one was hurt thanks goodness..

I parted out the car...too many good parts...

I couldn't find anything wrong with the linkage.... i had it towed to the house... pulled off some sheet metal....and it started up and ran as if new.

I thought I was going crazy for awhile.

This thread actually makes me feel better about the whole situation.

I am still sick over losing the car.