2007 Sportback - stiff gearchange

[iburnell]

I'm happy with my 57 plate A3 Sportback 1.8T, purchased from new although I've always found the clutch quite heavy. Also particularly when cold gearchange into 1 and 2 has been very stiff. I am always very mechanically sympathetic and never force changes. To my mind it is getting worse i.e any gear seems to need to be "deliberately" selected and a hard shove of the clutch pedal. It does ease slightly when warm but I don't think its right

 

Rang Audi dealer at Epsom and was snottily told its £60 for a diagnosis before they even do anything - mmm not impressed

 

Any thoughts on what it could be - I'm hoping its not gearbox but could be either the gearbox oil or perhaps the clutch not disengaging properly ??

[Audi Owners Club]

A gear oil change may be a good place to start and maybe the brake fluid as this is used to operate the clutch too.