By: Tony Oliver

Hi Gary,
I am over for Spain until the 29th of April, visiting family and friends, and therefore needed to get it sorted asap (didnt fancy long drives either here or going back to Spain in 4th!). Did a lot of research (tried Ouse Valley as you did and had to laugh!), and phoned various places along my intended route from Huntingdon, to Northampton, to Shropshire, to Morecambe, to York, to Leeds, and then back out of the country via Dover. I ended up getting it done last Thursday by A1 Gearboxes of Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambs (http://www.a1gearboxes.co.uk/). Steve from here was the only one when I explained the vehicle and problem and asked for a price, who gave me an instant response. The job took 2 hours to do, including a before and after road test to confirm the problem, and cost what he said £350+ V.A.T. They showed me the changed items afterwards, and also overfilled the gearbox. I did have some tools with me, so could probably have done it myself somewhere along the line, but with the cost of parts and the knowledge of knowing that this was something they have done many times in the past, I was quite happy to get it done professionally (was quoted upto £1400 and needing the vehicle for 4 days elsewhere) at that price. I also elected not to have the ‘ratio change’ upgrade, as I am quite happy with the fuel economy/maximum speed attainable – I have owned and driven the vehicle from purchasing it in Germany at 18000 miles to its current 125000 miles. Best of luck.
Tony O