Don't know what you mean by 2nd gear rubber, but that's normal behavior. That trans will normally take off in 2nd; it'll only take off in first if you make it (via the kickdown switch, as you described, or by putting the shifter down to 2 at a complete stop.)

__________________
1990 190e 2.6 - The only one I can really call "My Car".

1987 190e 2.3 - The donor car's up and running, only mods are Euros and a Sony headunit. My Dad's runabout now.

1990 300e 2.6 - The parents' ride.