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I've had this issue with several other cars and it was deemed to be normal. I find engaging first gear very difficult after a cold start. Is this normal on the RS4? Often I have to put it in second and then first. After 5-10 minutes it's fine.

mine to

mine doesn't

nor mine (or my last)

Gear linkage may need adjusting.

Sounds about right Sonny. I remember when viewing a vid on youtube for a short-shift kit, that the RS4 linkage was a bit trial & error to get right & ensure that 1st gear was a clean movement.
Just a couple of screw/torx adjustments from under the gearstick garter to put right.
(fiddly though)

Don't forget it's a high torque gearbox so there are big heavy gears used for the lower gears, combine that with 90 viscosity gearbox oil and first gear is always going to be heavy to engage, especially when cold.

TimsterRS4 wrote:Sounds about right Sonny. I remember when viewing a vid on youtube for a short-shift kit, that the RS4 linkage was a bit trial & error to get right & ensure that 1st gear was a clean movement.
Just a couple of screw/torx adjustments from under the gearstick garter to put right.
(fiddly though)

Yep when I had my OEM gear shift put back in last month, it took ages to get it balanced and "just right" think there is 3 points of adjustment but dont hold me to that. I was installing my GruppeM while the tech was doing my gear shift.

..and what PD says too, it could be a combination of things.

Mine is spot on now, slides in smooth in any gear, it was the input shaft it needed greasing, it was sticking to the bearing. wot a difference sometimes i had to use a lot of force to select first gear now i can push it in with my finger

wellzieRS4 wrote:Mine is spot on now, slides in smooth in any gear, it was the input shaft it needed greasing, it was sticking to the bearing. wot a difference sometimes i had to use a lot of force to select first gear now i can push it in with my finger

My car is going in for a coil pack check tomorrow. I'll mention the gear change to the dealer. How long did the work take?

wellzieRS4 wrote:Mine is spot on now, slides in smooth in any gear, it was the input shaft it needed greasing, it was sticking to the bearing. wot a difference sometimes i had to use a lot of force to select first gear now i can push it in with my finger

Isnt that a gearbox off job ? Did u have clutch work done at the same time?

mine is pretty difficult (only 1st) when it's cold
works like a breeze once the car has warmed up

Same for me, difficult when cold but easier when warm (not completely easy though).

I actually find the gearbox of the RS4 incredibly smooth and easy to operate, with the exception of when it's really cold!
this makes it such an easy car to drive you wouldn't expect from such a beast!

it's SO much better than, say, an E46 M3, which I found horribly stiff the few times I tried them

I had to leave it 11 mins once before I could get it into gear having left it outside in Switzerland for a week whilst snowboarding...