When I first start my 540, automatic, it shifts slow out of first when it's cold. As soon as it warms up it's fine, but I was wondering if this is normal or not. I only have 62,xxx miles on the car right now. Should I consider doing a tranny flush now or will that not help any?

may be a sign of low fluid - have you noticed any leaks?

I have a '95 740i with the 4.0 282 hp engine that does the same thing exactly. Was told it was nothing to be concerned about by 3 different credible sources who are very familiar with these engines. I'm satisfied with that but never a bad idea to get it checked out.

just wait a couple mins to warm up the engine?

It is a very BMW thing. I have owned my 5 for many years and I didn't
notice this until last year too, but according to a master bmw technician
I've talked to, all bmw do this. The delay shift when cold is normal, programmed auto trans behavior. The purpose is to get the cats warmed up as soon as possible to reduce emissions.

mines doing that too, 98 528i, from working on cars, i've noticed a fluid change reduces that time. i'm gonna change mine soon.

Ok.

MOST older BMWs do do this so in a SENSE, it's normal, but its NOT NORMAL. There is a malfunction - and it is usually a broken internal seal / o-ring / whatever you want to call it. Sometimes it's low fluid. It's usually not an issue that will cause super-premature failure, but there IS a problem.

I think that most modern cars hold the gears longer when they are cold... It's programmed into the computer.

There was a new software update that was put out by BMW to fix this issue. It is a throttle issue not a trans issue so says my mechanic. Software upgrade was expesive so I asked him if it would hurt the trans "no" Once she gets warmed up no worrie.