I guarantee you wouldn't notice (archive)

Sorry mate. Have to disagree. 1st gear is a very high power gear and is generally used to get the car moving. Second is a must if you are already moving. I am a UK driver and if I was sat in the passenger seat with a driver who shifted down to first at a junction I would be (a) worried about the damage he is doing to the gearbox and (b) laughing. Granted shifting down is necesary to keep up speed but second in most cars will be momre than enough power to get you on your way. It will also stop you r car from howling.

I guarantee you wouldn't notice me changing down into first if we were talking :-)

I will almost certainly continue to change down into 1st because second just doesn't cut it for a quick take off from 3-5 mph, and, having read above replies, it looks like the steptronic does the same anyway ;-)

Of course, a 330d might have more low-end power/torque to make a difference, and the 330i I'm actually getting might also make me change my mind given the greater power over my current 325i, but we'll have to see there :)

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