I know.. this is not a mercedes, but some of you own VW's and might be able to help.

My girlfriend (in Poland) has a 1998 Golf 1.6 with a 5-speed transmission around 80,000 KM. Not sure if this model exists in the US and/or if its a Euro-only model. Anyways I will describe the problem and hope someone can direct us to the problem.

Car starts normally. However when put into reverse, it goes FORWARD. 1st and 2nd are hard to put into gear, 3rd, 4th and 5th gear work normally.

With the above described problem, what should I do/look at first?
Thanks in advance

...shift linkage and/or shifter bushings--not sure, but those late model VWs may use shift cables, so one or more may be out of adjustment.

When you think you are putting it in reverse you are actually putting it into 1st. The bushings in the shift linkage are probably worn out. On the older models there was also a plastic ball in the shift linkage that would fail and cause similar problems. Not sure what the setup is on a 98 though.

Pete