Did a quick search and am not catching what I need to find out. With a 2004, my wife fiddles with the shifter getting it into reverse. I pull it down from first into second and then select reverse without any problem. Going from first to reverse seems that the syncros mess with you.

Some may have found a magic lube such as Redline gear oil that cures or makes shift selection better? Whats the voodoo here? Gotta help the wife out - her shifting technique makes me crazy.

 

I have an 05 and ultimately had to replace the shifter cables.

 

That's because the reverse gear doesn't have synchro in the R50/R53. It does in the R56.

 

I don't know about the R50, but you are mistaken about R53. There is a syncro on Reverse gear on that car.

 

sometimes you just need to double clutch. Its a quirk.

 

No synchro for reverse gear in the 5-speed manual.

 

That explains why getting into reverse is so hit or miss. I'll try shifting into 2nd first.

I had my trans fluid changed at ~35000km to fix tough shift into 1st. It helped

 

Thanks guys at least it's not just a "girl" thing. My wife will nail me for that one.