It is not guess work for me as the Pinoy lady who work at the Nikon service counter told me directly after the initiate examination of my lens over a week it was sent in. I could either pay $80 for the check up if I don't want to accept the repair cost. She told me they will replace the unit with a new one but no HOOD, BOX & MANUAL.. I did this repair in 2013.
For a fee of $900. It is a new lens and with a new serial number but no warranty card. I am fine with that. It is a fantastic lens and brand new... how good a deal it is when you think about this lens as one I will normally use till it dies. I am not a buy and sell person. If I could afford to buy it the first time, $900 is not a stretch to pay if you want that kind of quality and built. But sure if over time your interest has wane, your are earning less or has other priority with your money then that is a tough choice for sure.
I have no girl to maintain so I am good heheheh
BTW.. before that replacement deal, my zoom was getting a bit stickybetween the 24mm to 50mm region. Was never a problem for me anyway. It was just sharp sharp sharp. That is all that matters for me.