When changing attributes to objects on the fly I use the attributes palette. A quick change of color, line style or line weight. The problem I have is the inconvenience of returning to "By Level" for all three. I understand the need to search out the change you want, scroll down through a list to find the one you need, but the "By Level" options should be fixed at the top always. I shouldn't have to scroll all the way back up to find the default option. Line style and line weight are both at the top, which is where they should be but like excel has the option to freeze the top row so it is visible no matter how far you scroll, these should be similar. Likewise, the "By Level" button for changing color should be at the top. They should all be the same exact distance away also.
I assume the MS_LEVEL_SYNCH_BYLEVEL variable is defined in your config. In addition you could define a function key that executes the command "active color bylevel; active style bylevel; active weight bylevel" for the time being (e.g. Alt+F1,. perhaps customize the ribbon and add an icon that executes this command.