i think it depends on your driving style, I can tell that sometimes I do not start in 1st gear because at 2k rpm I am at ~20 m/h w/o a shift, but when I drive hard it starts in first and holds the gear until about 3500

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2006 BMW X5 4.8is Lemans Blue/Beige/Dark Maple
-Nav, Comfort Seats, Heated Steering Wheel,
Rear Airbags, AUX Input
2009 BMW M3 Space Grey/Black/Carbon
-all options