Finally got a chance to get into this today. Two steps clockwise to the T-handle at the modulator on the side of the transmission later, and she's shifting like butter.

Thanks for the pointers folks - I now know far more about how the shifts are controlled; really glad that the first, simple adjustment made the difference. From everything I read, sounds like it only gets more complicated as you stack up the variables.

__________________
1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife