Stiff gearchange on Passat

I'm having trouble with the gearbox of my 2003 TDi 130 Passat 5speed. It can be nearly impossible to put it in 1st or reverse, the other gears are pretty stiff as well but not as bad. It doesn't seem a problem when changing on the move. The problem doesn't go away when the engine has heated up. I'm hoping it is to do with gearbox oil rather than something more serious. Would a gearbox oil change help, it's got 75k miles and i thought the oil didn't need to be changed but I might give it a go.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.:)

problems with 1st and reverse are often related to the clutch. If it grates going into reverse you probably have a clutch fault.

i'd get the gearbox oil checked mate, had low oil in previous car, had to drive 30 miles with just 3rd gear, you really dont need that, will hammer the clutch if this happens

I don't speak with authority on this but when this happened to me in the past (albeit on a MK4 Golf which has a cable shift assembly as opposed to rods) it has been a missaligned gear shift linkage.

If the clutch isn't really high or slipping or jubbering, maybe the linkage should be looked at.

Feel free to correct me on this :Blush:

Thanks for the replies. The clutch feels fine so i don't think it's that but i'm no expert. I'm gonna try and get the oil changed this week and if that doesn't sort it i'll drop it in to a garage to check it over. I just hope it doesn't need major work cause i only bought it two months ago...Any recommendations for oil, should i stick with VW oil?

Does anyone know if it's ok to use a set of halfords ramps to change the gearbox oil or does it have to be done on a level surface? I don't know if i could change it without raising the ca...better check my haynes manual.