Why is the 1–2 shift so rough, and how do I make the manual smoother?

A lot of new manual-VB owners ask whether their 1–2 shift is “normal,” and the repeated answer is basically yes: the car can feel a little awkward until you adapt. The most common forum advice is to shift out of first a bit higher, often around 3,000–3,500 rpm, rather than baby-shifting too low. Owners also commonly recommend shift-stop / bushing / pitch-stop style mods if the goal is a more mechanical, cleaner feel. There is some disagreement over how much actual “rev hang” the VB has compared with the VA, but there is broad agreement that the fix is usually technique first, then small drivetrain-feel mods, not panic.