I would say the manual was standard, maybe not, but I bet MB said it was and then had an upcharge for the automatic...maybe not, but the us manufacturers sure like to do that to the buyer.
In any case I would say most were sold with the automatic since it was a higher cost luxury car and not intended to be a sports car racer. In any case, most times a high performance auto transmission, designed and timed correctly will out perform a typical manual, with a typical driver, in typical situations. Most average people just dont speed shift normally and a short rolling " race" from stop light to stoplight isnt enough time to use a manual to its full potential. I have seen many people make the short shift rice burner race street car feel inadequate when they pulled away from them with an automatic. Just look at mercedes Sl500 and SL600 cars. Not many manuals. Luxury cars, but try to outrun one on the street. Try to outrun a BMW 540i with an auto trans on the street from light ot light, not easy, my wife made a guy in a newer Camaro feel like a heel and left him way behind. Some people are demons with a manual, most are normal drivers that take too much time to shift or miss a gear if they are trying to race like Mario Andretti, I have never missed a gear shifting with an automatic. Never replaced a clutch in one either. LOL

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Christopher Henkel
1990 190E 2.6 - Arctic white SOLD
1986 190E-16v - Blauswartze
1993 300CE - SOLD
2003 W208 CLK 320 Cabriolet - Magma Red