Same for my 300E2.6. You just get used to it. Besides, that rpm is right it an inline 6 torque band... great for highwat passing.

Another way to start in first is to momentarily select "2" on your gear shifter then return to "D" and it will start in first. NIce for sitting at the bottom of a hill. If you accidently select "N" while getting back into "D" it disables this feature.

Intruder