Forgive this noobish question

I'm not a street racer, but I do enjoy being first in line at a traffic light. Occasionally, the car gods smile upon me and put a dimwit next to me who underestimates the Turbo's potential, or overestimates his own

Now for the question... My bone-stock 2002, non-X50, is a 6 speed manual. I know the transmissions are not meant to be driven hard, especially shifting from 1st to 2nd. I imagine it's safer quick shifting from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th, but I know that a quick shift 1-2 is a no-no. That being the case, when I take off in first and then gingerly shift into second, the car next to me is hanging with me and/or pulling ahead...until the turbos spool in 2nd and then I rocket past. Am I doing something wrong? Or is this how it is supposed to go? I know the turbos are not meant to be drag racers and that racing from a dead stop is not their strength. I just want to know if this is the normal procedure or am I not driving it hard enough? My flame suit is on, so answer away

 

I haven't driven my 996TT much yet, but in my other cars, I don't really see why you can't just shift into 2nd normally...

In the M3, if I need to take off faster at a light, I just anticipate the light, and when it changes, I take off at around 1.5K, gun it to about 5K, shift into 2nd, and that's usually all I need.

 

I would, and do, shift normally, or as fast as I can in all gears. The transmissions ARE meant to be driven hard and the rear engine platform has proven itself to be a great platform for drag racing.

Good luck with your new car. You're going to love it.

 

...."If you can't find it, Grind it."...

 

I've just been afraid to because I've read the many threads on here devoted to the "heart beat method" of shifting... Shoot, I'll hammer her if she'll let me