I got a bargain.....but

[needsmorecowbell]

Hi all, I'm new to this environment. Went to pick up my first VW yesterday, a Mk3 16v 5 door in Mystic Blue. 100k miles on the clock and respectable service history. Lowered, induction kit and exhaust(which the make I have yet to find out - possibly Miltek). All this for 995 straight from a dealer  .

Drove it around yesterday for a bit but kept having problems with the push down reverse and 1st/2nd gear. Every other gear is fine. It took me 5 mins to get it in Reverse gear and had to have it pushed back 2 times, which was embarresing. To get it in 1st I have to push the gear lever down a little as well. 2nd is a bit stiff when coming out of 1st and I end up going into 4th sometimes.

Is it gear linkage? Don't really want to fork out for a new gear box 

[packardjc]

There's a little plastic thingy underneath the gear stick to make you press down for reverse I think, might be something to do with that?

[danmusic24]

pull the gater up and to the left you can adjust the gear linkage...should sort it out.get the manual out for full instructions

[tomScotland mk3GTI]

This is fairly common although yours does sound a bit worse than most! Get on the bay of E and bag yourself a linkage overhaul kit for £23. Night and day.

[Len]

I dont push mine down!

[F17BAD]

I dont push mine down!

Mine does, push down, top left,

16v box in mine

[Len]

I have to remember which car I am in as the Passat is opposite to the golf! But neither push down.

[Bellend]

I have to remember which car I am in as the Passat is opposite to the golf! But neither push down.

It should on the MK3.

[Seanl]

Just pull up the cover. If its push down, you will see a white plastic arm that will jam against a metal stop, to stop it going into reverse when trying to select reverse. By pushing it down, the lip goes under the metal stop and selects reverse. Quite common for the plastic arm to wear out and go into reverse. Once the cover is lifted all will become apparent anywhay. 

[MotorPsycho]

the linkage that the shift cables bolt to on the box, mine was loose and created exactly the same problems you've got, just tightened the bolt up and fixed