Blown Head Gasket update !!

SLITHER99

Absolutely!

Auto box on the A-Class! Both the dealership and local indie's wanted to replace it with a new unit, cheapest at £1900. Eventually got recommended a place who repaired it for £750. Still going strong after three years and counting.

A much smaller case: the motor in my old Mondeo's seat failed (to raise and lower it). Took it to a few places who quoted a whole new seat at £250 odd quid. Eventually did it myself. Removed the motor myself, found a very near replacement at a nearby electronics shack, with a bit of smacking about with a hammer, did the repair myself for an outlay of <£40 odd. OK it took me a while to do, but I'm not a mechanic. But, if I did it...