While I am fixing everything else on my VRS, I thought I should ask about this. Occasionally, the car wont engage first time into 1st gear. Every other gear is fine, and clutch is not an issue. you literally can't force the gearstick far enough forward to engage 1st, yet every other gear engages fine. After a couple of goes, it goes in, and then drives absolutely fine.

I did wonder whether it could be a gearbox oil issue, as the car is 9 yrs old and done 116k, and I dont know if its ever been changed. Or could it be a selector issue - bushes or similar? Anyone care to guide me in the right direction please?

Changing the oil will make quite a difference, but you may want to get someone to operate the lever while you watch the linkage under the bonnet - the bushes that hold the selector linkage may have worn allowing the whole lot to float, although I would have thought that if that had happened, all the gears would exhibit problems

lift up the gear gator and check for debris around the gear knob, mine was quite gunked up which was causing issues.

Hmmm ?? I think mines played silly bugers like this before/at times ...... I remember i had to go in neutral let clutch up then go again.... ????

But as you said after that once its fine .... Until you upset them again

He does odd things now and then :p i think its just protest as he is a recluse and dont wana go out

He also rejects his clifford flashing screen beacon at times too :p

I'll take note and look for it now

Will have to use him first hehehe nooooooo

I'm having the same issue I had my car on ramps at not station and I think my cables have corroded where they go through to the gear lever and ate sticking like a ****** I will try and lube them up but may have to change them