Gearbox Oil / Clutch slipping?

[Baloo]

Hi all,
I'm looking at a Legnum VR4 from a private seller, but he is reporting an issue with the gearbox (among other minor issues):

I was sold the wrong gearbox oil and stupidly put in in not knowing.. I have done the first flush I changed the filter (1) on top of the gearbox. and its driving ok except when you put you foot down it sometimes slips gear. So as a gearbox specialist said (first i have to change the the filter inside the gearbox)..I cant find. or see or find it...So,,,, at the least, if you can do it yourself. It will be done cheaply (if you know what your doing.)..I'm not up to mechanical thing like this. Thr worst it will cost around 250 for a gear box + fitting (i can tell you were you can get one from)

I'm a fairly competent DIY enthusuiastic mechanic, but have had no formal training, and certainly no mechanical experience with a car of this caliber. To me it sounds like a slipping clutch, but I could be wrong? The oil story sounds a bit far fetched to me. Have I become to familiar with the tolerances of my trusty old Land Rover or does the story of the oil sound feasible?
I'm just looking for some idea of worst case scenario, and an idea of financial commitment (for the haggling side of the deal). To me £250 sounds very cheap for a new gearbox (and surely you wouldput a new clutch in while changing the box??)
Apologies for the 'newbie' style question - I did search 1st

Thanks

Baloo

[Subaru ETA]

since he is talking about filters one would assume that this is a tiptronic...so yes, the wrtong fluid will cause you all sorts of headaches

[fluffnik]

Someone recently put EP gear oil instead of ATF in their Tiptronic 'box - sounds like it might be the same car.

[bradc]

Depending on if there is an available gearbox at the time or not will ultimately affect the price. Typically there will be at least one gearbox for sale through a member here, and often two or three. The price tends to be between 300 and 700 pounds for a gearbox depending on if it has been rebuilt recently or has very low mileage.

However the job is 10 hours to swap the gearboxes across, so that is going to cost you a lot of money for the labour.

My suggestion is that you get the guy to install a new box and fix the car before you buy it, and tell him you will pay for the repairs as long as they aren't over xxx pounds.

[Nick Mann]

I know I could buy a good tiptronic box for £250. But as said, it would need fitting and that ain't so cheap. The oil in the tiptronic will cost £100 minimum, plus you'll need transfer box oil and coolant.

I would charge in the region of £350 including fluids & labour (but not the box!) to replace the box. Hope that helps you decide what to do!