I have a 98 C230 (though most of the parts I buy for it are 99 year model), when slowing down to stop or doing a California roll through a stop sign, it does not shift down to first quick enough, and jerks down to first when taking off if I have not come to a complete stop. If I slow down easy before I get to the rolling stop, it shifts down fine. It's done this for four years now, and just gets aggravating every once in a while. I would assume maybe the wrong speed sensor installed by the previous owner? My wife has put 80,000 miles on it since I bought it, and it does not get worse or better. Since I found out that many of the parts are 99 year model, I would think maybe the wrong sensor was installed. I had a problem with a Chevy van that the transmission was rebuilt, and the wrong speed sensor was installed, but with it, the antilock brakes would activate on it every time the brake pedal was depressed.