Welcome! I feel your pain on the downshifts. Mine has a harsh 2-1, I just stick in manual mode to help alleviate it but still annoying. Hoping WilliamX5 on here completes his 6 speed swap soon! Biggest gripe on my X is auto and AWD...... otherwise thing is awesome!

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Current garage:
'03 4.6is Proud X5 Peasant
'93 Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
'07 Jeep Liberty (KJ)
'88 Jeep Comanche (MJ)