Redlining in neutral
 

Today when I was shifting from 1st to 2nd gear in my 325i, the gear didn't catch and stayed in neutral unbeknownst to me. So when I gave it throttle, it revved almost all the way up to redline. I've never done this in the 3 years I've had my car. Is this damaging to the engine?

It will increase the wear, probably, but it's not going to kill the car. The engine is designed to take some beatings. As far as I know, it's fine, but not something you want to do all the time.

The redline is there for a reason, so the engine doesnt overrev..going to redline doesnt hurt it one bit. it was probobly good that you gave it some juice for the first time in 3 years...

It's not good for it (don't do it regularly)....revving an engine without having a 'load' on it is not good for it....but yea, you certainly didn't kill it :)