Comments please on the continuing saga with the recalcitrant gearbox - if you remember from previous contact [not documented -sorry - ed] it's suddenly (after a recent service) become difficult to get into 2nd gear and occasionally 1st when cold. The car had it's 72,000 mile service only 100 miles ago at which time they replaced the transmission oil as scheduled along with the engine and rear axle oils - according to the invoice they've put in the following lubricants:

Hypoid 80/90 - 500ml x 6 = 3 litres
'QXR' ENG/GBOXOIL - 500ml x 8 = 4 litres

The capacities are given in the handbook as:
Engine - 3.6 litres;
Transmission - 2.0 litres;
Rear Axle - 0.65 litres
This suggests that the QXL has gone in the engine and the 80/90 in the transmission and rear axle.

However looking at the handbook, the transmission oil is shown as 80W-90 for 10 degC upwards whereas for use at all temperatures the alternative shown is 75W-90. I don't know what QXR is rated as but would expect something like 10W-40 so it would not be suitable for the transmission anyway.

Since the problem with the gearbox is when it's cold, have the garage put the wrong oil (ie the 80/90) in the transmission? It's thus too thick at low temperatures hence the change problems, but goes OK when it's warmed up? - comments please. (1/00)

It is very likely that the oil put in your gearbox is causing your gear selection problems. Presumeably they mean 80W-90 - as you say, 80W-90 is only specified for use above 10 deg C , so should never be used in the UK. (There are no months in the year when the temperature does not sometimes or regularly fall below 10 C in UK). You should always use 75W-90 here.

You will probably solve your selection problems if you get Redline MTL synthetic oil put in instead. Perhaps you could get the garage to change it for free since they put the wrong oil in in the first place? The Hypoid 80W/90 is OK in the diff, but Redline MT90 or 75W90NS is better. (1/00)