[coolest325i]

from a stop 1st to 2nd feels sluggish or slow?, and when 1st shifts to 2nd it feels like it shift to 2nd to fast. is it suppose to be like this? also am i suppose to feel the car downshift when coming to a stop?

[JayKay335i]

The gears will change at low RPMs to save gas. Put it in sport mode.

[mechanixhorseman]

The auto downshifts automatically no matter what shifting mode you're in (which I find annoying as all hell) depending on your speed and RPM.

I'm pretty sure when you're in normal economy auto the transmission never shifts to first gear, even at a stop, but in manual you should be out of first pretty quickly.

[nogard13]

Your transmission will adapt to your specific driving habits. If you normally punch it from a stop, then first gear will hold longer. If you drive like you're driving Mrs. Daisy, then your tranny might even start in 2nd gear.

[335BBS]

They all start in second when in D. Its an EPA fuel consumption thing.

[Insider]

Originally Posted by Leaker

They all start in second when in D. Its an EPA fuel consumption thing.

Mine starts is 1st in D. And yes, it shifts very quickly out of first and into second.

[BimmerGuyFL]

Originally Posted by Insider

Mine starts is 1st in D. And yes, it shifts very quickly out of first and into second.

Incorrect. ALL BMW auto transmissions being 5 speedo autos or 6 speed autos always start off in 2nd gear to save fuel. the only time it takes off in
1st gear is if you put it in DS or manually start from 1st gear using the paddles of the shift lever.

[Insider]

Originally Posted by BimmerGuyFL

Incorrect. ALL BMW auto transmissions being 5 speedo autos or 6 speed autos always start off in 2nd gear to save fuel. the only time it takes off in
1st gear is if you put it in DS or manually start from 1st gear using the paddles of the shift lever.

Wrong. Mine starts in 1st in D and DS.

[PhiDeltBeers]

And here we go again.

[markinva]

Originally Posted by PhiDeltBeers

And here we go again.

lol

yeah, they start in 1st. I also used to think they start in 2nd, but they just don't.

[MrDummy]

I cant tell for sure, but I do know the downshifting worries me as I would think the trans would wear out a LOT faster than just a normal trans.

But it saves on brakes I guess.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by markinva

lol

yeah, they start in 1st. I also used to think they start in 2nd, but they just don't.

Depends on driving style. Our transmissions have something called adaptive throttle, which learns the driver's driving habits. If you accelerate slowly, you start in 2nd. If your flooring all the time you can start in 1st but usually do not unless you floor it at every stop. Starting in 1st in an auto is pointless, the computer can calculate how much throttle to use so you don't stall in 2nd at a stand still. Also when you first start your car and then start moving your in 1st, however every other stop you make is in 2nd, unless A) you floor it from a stop allot, or B) you're on a steep incline and 2nd doesn't have enough power to climb the hill efficiently. There's no argument here. You guys may think you start in 1st all the time but that's your inability to count gears. Not asking to start trouble here but this is how it works, rebuttal how you want. I won't answer.

EDIT: BTW, OP you can reset your adaptive throttle by turning the ACC power on (2 clicks of the start button, without foot on brake), hold the throttle pedal down for 25-30 seconds then turn the car on. You may or may not hear something with the transmission. Some say it is the transmission resetting it self, I think people just hear noises coincidentally.

[nogard13]

I just tested this when I went out for lunch. I counted 5 shifts from a stand still to 60mph. That means that my car MUST HAVE started in 1st gear. I depressed the accelerator about half way down at launch and then let up from it a bit. The car shifted to 2nd around 13MPH (when I let off a bit on the gas), then to 3rd around 22, to 4th around 35, 5th around 50 and 6th at 60 after I had leveled off my speed for a few seconds.

On my way back, I did the same but didn't depress the accelerator as much at launch. I counted 4 shifts, around the same shifting points as before with the exception of 1st to 2nd (meaning my tranny started in 2nd gear).

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by nogard13

I just tested this when I went out for lunch. I counted 5 shifts from a stand still to 60mph. That means that my car MUST HAVE started in 1st gear. I depressed the accelerator about half way down at launch and then let up from it a bit. The car shifted to 2nd around 13MPH (when I let off a bit on the gas), then to 3rd around 22, to 4th around 35, 5th around 50 and 6th at 60 after I had leveled off my speed for a few seconds.

On my way back, I did the same but didn't depress the accelerator as much at launch. I counted 4 shifts, around the same shifting points as before with the exception of 1st to 2nd (meaning my tranny started in 2nd gear).

Exactly.

[GregTheStig]

lol Sometimes mine seems to start in either 1st or 2nd D but I usually drive like a granny. I honestly don't know the pattern with it.

[VTECaddict]

Make sure you're not counting the torque converter lockup as a shift. I think the loaner 328i locked up in 2nd gear before shifting to 3rd