I know this has been covered before, but not my exact question....

I'm looking to get my 56 reg sports auto box flushed, question is , does the filter need to be done too?

The 2 garages that have quoted have quoted for just the flush as they say there is no need to replace the filter... Just seems half a job really . Series 3 gone
90 gone
Freelander v6 gone ( thirsty pig )
Defender gone
Ktm 1290 SA (gone)
BMW 1200 GSA

The trouble is the filter/bottom of sump doesn't come off easily on the these.

You can cut them off and then fit a 2 piece replacement (filter and sump) @ £85+ but these then tend to leak

The filter doesn't "need" to be done, but it should be replaced at 10 years anyway

Stick with the plastic sump. The metal ones are not all they are cracked up to be