First gear on 2004 X5 manual trans 6-speed E53

[trhaverstock]

Hi group - I am brand new and just acquired my first BMW, a 2004 X5 with a 6-speed manual transmission. This took me quite a long time to find. It has 88,000 miles (as of Mar 2018) so very low mileage and great condition for it's age.

I have an odd question. First gear feels very "awkward" and I'm wondering if something is wrong, normal, or modable. I have owned many many manual trans vehicles with my previous being an 07 Nissan Xterra 4WD manual. First gear feels like the engine RPMS are very high at < 10 mph and it feels like it awkwardly needs to be dropped to 2nd gear much sooner than anything I've driven. Or that I should start in second (probably not real good for the clutch). So is it me and I get used to it or is something amiss? I test drive an X3 manual trans a few months ago and don't remember feeling this at the time but may have missed it. Please be nice to me if I have asked an FAQ as a noob - I did search and couldn't locate anything :-).

Thanks! Todd H. Quincy IL

[jclausen]

unless the clutch is slipping then is ok.

[trhaverstock]

I do not feel a slip on the clutch. 1st just seems unusually low. Oddly low; like I'm needing to shift to 2nd gear at 7 mpg.

[peter2772000]

Sounds almost like you're driving a pre-millennium VW LOL

[EllisAudio]

I realize this is an old discussion string , but... yes, you are correct. 1st gear in my 2004 X5 is low - perfect for boat launches and steep inclines . It is a weird 1st gear ratio for normal commuting .