i have just purchased a beautiful one owner e230 which is going great. i have been advised that driving around the city(sydney, australia) that i should set in d4 position, ie not let it change up into 5th. this is because it will move up and down between 4th and 5th too often and the gearbox will wear out quicker. use 5th only for highway driving.

can anyone tell me if this is good or bad advice.

secondly, will it hurt if i leave it in winter position most of the time, therefore it starts in second not first. by reducing gear changes this should improve fuel economy. it moves well in second.

 

I don't have too mudch experience with MB yet but I went through two transmissions on my Lincoln twon car for that same reason. Both trans. lost over drive gear.