Whilst on the popular subject of gearboxes...

[Si_GTi]

... I had my gearbox oil flushed and changed today at my local dealership. They charged me just over £50 for the job. I asked if the technician who took on the job could check the magnet that has been mentioned - that collects any debris floating about in the 'box from wear and tear - but was told that in order to do this the 'box would need to be dropped out of the car and several hours labour added to the job!

Anyway, I've done about 20-30 miles this afternoon and evening and can report that the gearchange feels slightly better, a bit less notchy, but otherwise not vastly different from normal.

On Sunday my car sailed through the 75000-mile marker, so this oil change is a preventative measure in the hope that my gearbox does not follow the frightening pattern of failures that seems to be plaguing the country's GTis! There's not much else I can do other than to not rush any gearchanges, and be patient when choosing reverse (which still grumbles).

Happy cog-swapping people!

Cheers

[Silky V]

I have been told that they way you drive has no reflection on when the gearbox goes. I never took my car over 3000rpm and cruised around in 4th/5th gear most of the time.

Its just a design fault and it can let go at any time. Just make sure that if you hear whining when slowing down then get the gearbox checked straight away. As the cost of replacing the bearing is peanuts to the cost of replacing the diff and the casing, etc...

Just thought i'd let you know the signs and save you a bit of money.