i have a white 1997 audi a4 2.8l v6 quattro. i paid next to nothing for it and it has the following; remus full exhaust, coni fully adjustable suspension (slammed pretty good), tint etc. i can tell that someone has messed with the gearbox from the cabin. the plastic is cracked towards the carpet. I wanna say that someone installed a short throw. it is not the stock ****. It usually only happens from first to second but occasionally 2nd to 3rd. it seems like it slams into gear. even when starting from a stop in first when i move into first gear i feel a slight jerk.... i dont believe this is normal. there is about an inch of vertical up and down give on the shifter itself. and it has some horizontal movement when in gear. im not sure if the problem lies above the transmission or within it. if anyone has had the same issue advice is welcome. much appreciated

 

I don't really know what your saying but I'm assuming its a manual. Could be a lightweight flywheel and you just don't know how to drive it correctly yet, mine was really jerky in every gear except 4th and 5th until I got the hang of my lightweight

 

but should there be that much play in the shift **** itself?

 

Yes. I have over an inch of side to side play in my shifter. The downward movement you feel is the push down reverse.

I have an ebay SS kit installed which shortens the throw but doesn't do anything for the slop. Check out the shifter stabilizer kits from JHM if you want to tighten it up.