My 5 speed 97 sometimes doesn't want to get into first gear, every other gear works fine though. Overall I just want to know what I can do or buy to make the shifting as smooth as a new car.

 

New clutch.

http://www.specclutch.com/

Get a Stage II or III, or just Stage one if you dont plan on modding. Really good clutches. Get a new fly wheel if you can. I kept my stock and now i regret it.

 

Why do you regret not buying a new flywheel? What do they do anyway? Is a new one just to reduce weight or would there be other benefits for buying one?

 

are you at a complete stop when trying to shift into first? I noticed that it seems to help shifting into second then first.. as one motion.. also if your just sitting there and it wont go in.. rev up the engine about 150-250 rpms higher.. that will help

 

Its hard to get into first on a lot of Audi and VW cars. Try shifting into 2nd then first, or only shift into 1st when at a stop. You don't want to wear it out by shifting into first unnecessarily.

 

You can double clutch into first if you match it right, I do it all the time. It just slips right in as smooth as any other gear.

 

I'd say about 95% of the time it's fine but occationally it just doesn't want to go all the way in even after a second try. Yesterday was just annoying cause I was stopped at a bit of a downhill and the light turned green and there was people behind me and it wasn't going into first and i didn't really have time to fiddle with it. After about three tries it finally goes in and I end up revving up really high and spinning my tires (FWD) so I'm just lookin to avoid these stressful situations but if it's the clutch/flywheel thats responsible for this it'll have to wait until next summer when I do co-op again and have money for such things.