(T) Recon or second hand

Right, I'm about to get another gearbox for an 06 1.9 jtdm but don't know what to get (see title).

Recon is 450 plus 250 surcharge if mine's scrap (which I think it is when I described it to 2 companys) therefore need to pay 700.

Or get a second one at 200 with a months warranty and take a chance of it being as bad as mine.

Verdict please

I'll end up getting a new one

what has gone wrong with your gearbox in order to need another?

For me it would depend on the warranty of the recon. If it's a year or two it maybe worth the extra...

How long do you plan on keeping the car for? Are you fitting it yourself or paying someone to do it?
I'd get a used one. If it's not perfect in the first couple of weeks tell the selller you are not happy and ask for £100 back. You can then use it as the exchange for the re-conditioned one. That alone will save you between £50 and £150 over your scrap one not being fit for repair.

Robert G8RPI.

Can't multi quote for some reason


What's wrong with it..

1st has a bad scraping sound when moving but so far still moves away. No 2nd 5th or 6th.

All warranties are a year unless second hand that's a month.

I'd keep it a while to see how I got on with it. I'd do it myself.

That's true but then it's the hassle of taking it out again if it's a differ.

I thought if getting recon it's in and forget.... for a year at least.

Can't vouch for the firm, but they offer refurbing and using upgraded parts, so in theory the gearbox should be good for 'life' if it fixes the inherent problem with the M32 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321944936913. Probably worth shopping round a few places

If it is the classic M32 bearing issue you will know right away if the second hand box has it so can do a deal to use it as an exchange box. Even if it has slight noise you can run it for a long time if you don't hammer it in 6th or just avoid using 6th

If the used box is good you have saved £500, if it's bad (but not scrap) you have saved at least £50 (possibly a lot more if you get a partial refund) by the small gamble of fitting it.
You could even buy an end case bearing kit and fit new ones yourself before installing the used box. Easy enough with the box out. It's only the end case that has to come off. The cost is less than £50 www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M32-M20-Gearbox-End-Casing-Bearing-Kit-SNR-Bearings/183283094276? (Random listing not a recommendation or otherwise of that seller).
If you open the used gearbox up and it's full of metal or there is obvious damage get a refund.


Robert G8RPI.