Only just seen this! The VAG part number for 1 litre containers of the correct gear oil is G 052 171 A2. (or was in late 2011).

I changed mine back in 2011 at 210,000 miles. The gearchange was getting stiff when very cold (below zero deg C), and the new oil cured this. The oil removed looked very thick and very waxy. You are fortunate in being equipped with a rather nicely machined gearbox drain plug.

Hi Tom,

Well, I still have mine, after 12+ years, so I guess he could! Just wanted to supply requested information in case it was of use to original poster, or someone else in same situation.

PS. I kept my last car for 15 years, and my last Transit for 20 years - I hate the hassle of changing them.

On the Golf be very careful locating the filler plug. Not sure if it applies to the diesel but on the petrol the filler plug and a bolt that retains the reverse gear mechanism (or something similar) are very close and almost identical. Remove the wrong bolt and its a gearbox strip and rebuild to sort. Happened to an apprentice working on a senior staff members car in our workshops.

Its all detailed in the Haynes book of lies.