From what I understand, reverse isn't synced. I use to get crunches all the time in my old car until I started popping her into third before putting into reverse. Force of habit, been doing it ever since I got this car and she hasn't ever crunched.

But I too have the whine in 4th and the rattly sound when the clutch is disengaged. I spoke to the VW mechanic in Abottsford and they assured me that both these sounds are normal. They haven't gotten worse since the day I picked up the car so I've just come to accept it. Since I've now got a history of having reported it previously, I'm not too concerned and it doesn't bother me anymore.