were you able to get the faulty VGA chip replaced after the repair extension program expired? how have you achieved it?

i am currently in europe. my MBP17" was manufactured after may 2007 and was in service both in the US and europe between April 2008 and Dec 2010 three times in total, while still under warranty. none of these times was the motherboard exchanged for one with a non-recalled VGA GeForce8600GT chip.

now the chip died and the computer no longer loads. Apple authorised service provider says they are not able to even order these parts for me any more as the machine is in vintage status. apple claims to no longer stock them. apple support line claims they're very sorry, but they cannot help as the repair extension program is over.

non-authorised cervice centers would happily service it for more than $300.

what shall i do here, as investing another $300 here makes no sense, please help?