gearbox opinions please

[chris c]

The gearbox let go on my 16v at xmas and I've recently got it into a garage for repair. As the car needs a few other small jobs and I am on a tight budget, they've been searching around for a cheap box and come up with a used one from a reputable source.

However, even though this box was running fine in its orginal car, no-one can be certain of its condition.

I've done some research and the cost of a reconditioned or new box is prohibitive and not economically sensible. Basically I'd be spending close to what the car is worth and I'm not prepared to do that as I've just bought a flat and don't need the car for daily use.

Should I take my chances with the 2nd hand box or cut my losses and flog the car as it is?

 

[donsrno1]

Personally I would try and get a box off someone on here or williamsclio if y ou have any doubts about the person you are buying it off currently, or from somewhere that will guarantee the box for a certain amount of time. There are plenty of people who break these cars on the forums and you should be able to find someone who has a box they can guarantee is in good condition. Where are you based?

 

[chris c]

I'm in Bristol. I've tried the usual suspects on here and it seems these boxes are in short supply. I trust the garage I'm using and they'll guarantee it for 3 months.

 

[Sami]

Hey mate im in Bristol also and just bought a renault 19 16v box from ebay for about £72+courier for £30 so £100 all in. The guy said it was in good working condition when it was removed and if its shagged when I put it on obv he'll be getting it back.

Unfortunately unless you're willing to pay £££ for a box you aren't going to get any kind of decent warranty. The box I had on before was supposedly rebuilt 40K miles ago when I bought it 2nd hand but looks like whoever did it did a sloppy job. So only thing you can do is buy a 2nd hand box and hope for the best unless you want to shell out for a new or recon but even with a recon you never know.

There's a few 19s/clios breaking on ebay and I had a few prices around £140-160 ex p+p although one guy offered £160inc p+p.

 

[MATT BLACK]

Ive got a decent 16V box ( JB3 ) its £175 + vat with a 3 month warranty. You can get them cheaper but i guarantee you they will be fooked. Any problems with ours and you get your money back or an exchange unit.

 

[Sami]

Ive got a decent 16V box ( JB3 ) its £175 + vat with a 3 month warranty. You can get them cheaper but i guarantee you they will be fooked. Any problems with ours and you get your money back or an exchange unit.

Not nessacarily true! And £205 is a lot to pay for a valver box and then im guessing you have delivery as well?

 

[chris c]

I think I'll stick with the one I've got thanks. It's a little cheaper than yours matt but not a lot and comes with the same warranty.

I can't believe a used box costs so much when it could go pop in 6 months. Especially when you have to fork out over £100 for fitting, you're paying £300 with no long term certainty. If I went for a re-con it would be more like £500 and not much more certainty.

That's life I guess

 

[Sami]

There some guy on ebay selling re-con boxes for £295 not sure about warranty though.

 

[MATT BLACK]

Ive got a decent 16V box ( JB3 ) its £175 + vat with a 3 month warranty. You can get them cheaper but i guarantee you they will be fooked. Any problems with ours and you get your money back or an exchange unit.

Not nessacarily true! And £205 is a lot to pay for a valver box and then im guessing you have delivery as well?

It is true - im a Renault specialist and get constant phone calls from people that have tried to save a few quid and ended up buying a load of junk

 

[Sami]

Not nessacarily true! And £205 is a lot to pay for a valver box and then im guessing you have delivery as well?

It is true - im a Renault specialist and get constant phone calls from people that have tried to save a few quid and ended up buying a load of junk

Lol a few quid? More like nearly 100 quid! And is your box a re-con or just a 2nd hand box that was working when taken out?