The '96 has a remote mounted VCV which its 722.3 transmission needs so you should be able to stay with the '97 IP if the electronics don't mind.

Sixto
87 300D

Transmission is 722.438 but otherwise your statement is correct.

Jeremy

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970