Bill,

Thank you for your response.

No, it doesn't grind, it just sometimes doesn't really want to engage. I do not try to force it into reverse because that is of course a sure way to disaster, but I just shift it into 1st gear and move forward a few inches, and then usually reverse will engage. Sometimes I have to do this twice before it works. Once warm the problem seems to disappear.

Since the car is stationary when it happens double-clutching is not an option (let me know if I misunderstood what you mean).

I just had the tranny oil replaced (likely the first time since the car was built. I fail to understand why Volvo do not put that on the service schedule say every 100Kmi) so we will see whether that helps.

I now live in The Netherlands, where most cars have manual gearboxes, so the dealer really should know what he is talking about. I must admit though that at times I do get the feeling that I am the one doing the analytical part of his job.

I really am stumped by this one.