I drive a 2004 a4 quattro 3.0 90k miles. manual transmission. I was driving then all of a sudden I could move the stick everywhere while still in gear. I lost 1st and reverse gear with a burnt smell. This is clutch failure right?? secondly what is the rough repair cost of something like this?

 

I got a quote for 1200 off the dealer. the equipment costs about 400 euro so I found a mechanic that would do the work for 100 euro (I don't have a failed clutch but I thought I did that's why I got the quote). I know this is in euro's but it might give you an idea.
Loc

 

That sounds like more than just your clutch if you were able to move the shifter all around, and the car stayed in gear. What does the car do now when you try to shift? and LocA4 is in the right range, I was quoted by a local mechanic $1000 to replace the clutch in mine.

 

I can actually switch gears w/o a problem. I got it to a shop this morning and he's saying it appears to be the gear linkage. Not a definete answer yet though...

 

I'd bet gear linkage or, worse, throw-out bearing. If the latter, they have to remove the clutch anyway so you may was well replace it. If your clutch was failing, it would not affect the stick but when you pressed the gas, the rpms would rise and the car would not accelerate in response. I replaced a slipping clutch in my A6 with an upgrade and it was about $2k at my indie shop. Before I bought a used 2003 A4 3.0 MT6, I asked him how much would a stock clutch rebuild be (since the car was going to my daughter) and he guessed $1000-1200.

 

I got quoter 1600 USD by the dealer, your problem does sound like linkage.

 

So you can change gears or does the shifter just move around without changing what gear you are in?

 

If I push in the clutch, I can switch gears. Once its in gear, I can move the stick freely wherever I want. with out it coming out of gear.

 

Maybe the locking bolt that holds the linkage to the linkage rod that is on the transmission is loose. Allowing it to slide around when there is load on the transmission but when there is no load it allows the linkage rod to move/turn to change gears.