Just preparing to do a gearbox oil and filter change on my X350 and I'm wonder if the metal sump/filter assembly would be a better long term proposition than the plastic one. It looks like the filter alone can be changed on the metal sump but the plastic one has to be replaced completely.
A kit (DA 2142) is available for Land Rovers but I can't find any info as to if it will fit the X350. The kit is for ZF 6HP 26 which of course is the Jaguar gearbox but I'd be grateful if anyone could confirm this before I order it. The supplier only deals with Land Rover and doesn't know if it is suitable for Jaguars.
Many Thanks
Pete

 

Have you compared prices ? You are hardly going to save a shedload of money converting to the steel sump with separate filter assuming it's a straight swap. With a filter change every 60k miles, how long are you going to keep the car ? Obviously the steel sump will take a knock better, so prresumably Land Rover fitted that rather than the plastic alternative, assuming the LR vehicle is an off-roader.

 

Plastic OEM ZF pan. Shy away from aftermarket pans, including metal.

My $0.02

 

Try PHOENIX TRANSMISSION PARTS for the steel pan & filter.
727 541 0269, is the phone number
They sometimes run sales of a filter, pan, with bolts.
Went to the Ford dealer for the gasket, even though a paper one was included with the pan
I think $160 was what i paid for the last set up, plus the gasket

 

The gasket should be of a rubber type material and when fitted properly, in the pan groove, protrudes above the surface of the pan and is compressed when the pan is torqued down.

 

Thanks for the comments and advice lads. Much as I hate plastic I'm thinking that I might replace with an original ZF plastic item for peace of mind. Prices seem to vary wildly but no doubt the ones at the lower end are Chinese copies to be avoided.
Looking forward to doing the flush and refill as detailed so excellently by Don B on this forum. If the dreaded virus doesn't get me first.

 

You can source an OEM ZF pan for under $100 - check ebay.

 

The Ford gasket is made of rubber & metal.
Much heaver than the cheap one they sell with the pan

 

I use the ZF pan and filter. I get them from The CTSC which only deals in ZF stuff.
This is their Jaguar Kit. Pretty good price and they include the sealing sleeve which you need to change.

ZF Parts

As you know the Mercon SP fluid has been used by many if you don't want to use Lifeguar 6.
.
.
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I bought my fluid from CTSC. Let drip overnight and it took more than six to fill up. Looked okay.
But I cheaped out on the pan/filter. After reading others bad luck with third party pans considering redoing with ZF pan. But no issue so far, 17,000 miles since flush and change.
Parts Geek has the ZF pan for 65.00. I think I saved 20.00 by using another brand. Live and Learn.

 

With the filter at $20-25, you save $40 over the plastic pan.
Being a cheap S O B, that is why i got the metal pan.