I was just wondering how much better the 5speed tranny is in 95-up S class. At this time an extra gear would be welcome since my car starts off in 2nd.
I just got this car 4 weeks ago and I love it. I was wondering how the 5-speed cars feel.

 

I have a 99 C280 with the electric 5 speed, and IMHO, it is one of the best automatics I every driven, However when I first got the car, I didn't think that. The reason is the tranny in my car is infinitely adjustable to the drivers input. The previous owner was a Doctor, and drove the car stoicly. I had the dealer where I bought the car reset the tranny back to its default settings. Then I "broke it in" the way I drive, and as I said the shift now are crisp both up and down and holding the peddle to the metal as they say in some circles, produces acceleration to red line in each gear. Also, mine has 4 and D settings, 4 is the "sport mode." and the difference in performance is very noticeable, however so is the lower gas mileage.
I've heard the common about second gear start up, do you have a switch on the shift that has a W and S? If so the W is winter setting and it always start up in 2nd gear, and S summer mode the tranny starts in first gear. I have had my car for a little over 3 years and have had no need for snow tires as between the Winter mod setting and the ABS, ESP, ASR and BAS, I've never gotten stuck, in the snow. Also, it is my understand from the owners manual if you turn off the ESP in snow, the tranny goes into locking differential mode, ASR and pushes me out of possibly being stuck. I'm not a bragging man, but click of the Car of the Month, that's my baby.