Buying M3 With bad DCT Help!

[theBRUDDHA]

All, I have come across the opportunity to purchase a 2009 M3 e90 with 100k on the clock for a crazy good price. Owner history and Vin check out, however I was told that the car has a bad transmission. Seller doesn't know exactly what's wrong with it and doesn't want to deal with it. I am strongly considering buying the car for dirt cheap and purchasing a low mileage DCT trans with NEW clutch and putting it in myself.

Questions are:

1) Is there currently a way to find out specifically what is wrong with DCT?
2) has anyone ever done a trans job before that could provide a good link for how to? I've looked everywhere for one with no luck.
3) This project has the potential to cost below $20k total for car and new trans, meaning it would be well below the average cost of buying the same car with no known issues. Do you guys think this is something worth wasting my time and money on??

Thanks for any help provided!!!

[nrubenstein]

DCT is a closed box. There is no external "clutch" per se - it's just a flywheel that engages the starter and gearbox splines. There are a few external parts that can be changed, but with no diagnostic work, just assume you need a new DCT box.

The physical swap isn't too bad - you have to get to a few bolts on top that are difficult. Drop the mid pipe, remove a bunch of random sheathing parts, disconnect the driveshaft.

Note: I haven't done it on a DCT car specifically, but I have looked over a DCT box (that was mounted to my donor engine), and just did an S65 swap in my car.

[Spun Crankhub]

If the car has 100k, I do not think $20k total after the new trans is necessarily worth it. There was recently an 09 E92 with 90k for $23k sitting on the lot that my buddy is finance manager of, and I believe they ended up selling for $22k.
Now, if you are a gambling man....You may get the car hoping and praying that the DCT is good, and if it is, and I am hoping you are looking to get the car for under $15k then you totally win.

[roastbeef]

'08 m3's with high miles ane no stories are going for a little over $20k. what is your goal with the car? track car? flip?

might suck buying a separate dct and finding out something like the wiring is jacked up... i think its a bad move regardless, but i definitely wouldn't buy this car unless i [you] know EXACTLY what the fix is and have the parts/knowledge in hand and the ability to do it.

[kyrix1st]

Simple solution: get an MT.

[decimation1]

The physical swap is easy, probably a 3 hour job with a lift. Double that if you are doing it on jack stands...

[deansbimmer]

Sounds like you're looking at buying a "pig in a poke"... A mechanic's special isn't a good car for someone looking to get their feet wet with a new M3, especially if you're not a mechanic.

An 09 with 100k isn't worth too much to begin with unless it was specially optioned (not likely with deals like this). These DCT are not like a manual transmission where you can bolt in and go. There are a lot of electronics and "gotchas". If you're not well versed in operating on these cars and don't have experience with ISTA software then you'll probably end up paying to have a qualified shop fix it for you after you've pulled your hair out.

Unless you can get the car for like 10-11k to make the savings worth your effort, I think you should pass.

[BimmerRookie]

How much are you getting the car for? As stated above, getting a used DCT may not be the best idea as it is a sealed unit...

What are your requirements for an M3? just cheap?

[JDM_CL9]

Based on OP's profile, he already has a 2011 M3 so he should know the vehicle.

I haven't heard of many E9X M3 DCT with catastrophic transmission failures so my guess would be: transmission has leaked away most of it's fluid which may be causing a bunch of the problems the owner is experiencing. Which then leads me to believe that this car was poorly serviced over it's lifetime.

If the transmission is damaged that badly some how from abuse, the engine probably won't be much better off either.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Sounds like you're looking at buying a "pig in a poke"... A mechanic's special isn't a good car for someone looking to get their feet wet with a new M3, especially if you're not a mechanic.

An 09 with 100k isn't worth too much to begin with unless it was specially optioned (not likely with deals like this). These DCT are not like a manual transmission where you can bolt in and go. There are a lot of electronics and "gotchas". If you're not well versed in operating on these cars and don't have experience with ISTA software then you'll probably end up paying to have a qualified shop fix it for you after you've pulled your hair out.

Unless you can get the car for like 10-11k to make the savings worth your effort, I think you should pass.

This.

Also, Lots of these cars are being bought for ~$20k with that mileage. Check out the sale ads and remember most people are buying at 10% less than asking.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Sounds like you're looking at buying a "pig in a poke"... A mechanic's special isn't a good car for someone looking to get their feet wet with a new M3, especially if you're not a mechanic.

An 09 with 100k isn't worth too much to begin with unless it was specially optioned (not likely with deals like this). These DCT are not like a manual transmission where you can bolt in and go. There are a lot of electronics and "gotchas". If you're not well versed in operating on these cars and don't have experience with ISTA software then you'll probably end up paying to have a qualified shop fix it for you after you've pulled your hair out.

Unless you can get the car for like 10-11k to make the savings worth your effort, I think you should pass.

I'll go with Deans advice 100% of the time OP.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Sounds like you're looking at buying a "pig in a poke"... A mechanic's special isn't a good car for someone looking to get their feet wet with a new M3, especially if you're not a mechanic.

An 09 with 100k isn't worth too much to begin with unless it was specially optioned (not likely with deals like this). These DCT are not like a manual transmission where you can bolt in and go. There are a lot of electronics and "gotchas". If you're not well versed in operating on these cars and don't have experience with ISTA software then you'll probably end up paying to have a qualified shop fix it for you after you've pulled your hair out.

Unless you can get the car for like 10-11k to make the savings worth your effort, I think you should pass.

Originally Posted by JDM_CL9

Based on OP's profile, he already has a 2011 M3 so he should know the vehicle.

I haven't heard of many E9X M3 DCT with catastrophic transmission failures so my guess would be: transmission has leaked away most of it's fluid which may be causing a bunch of the problems the owner is experiencing. Which then leads me to believe that this car was poorly serviced over it's lifetime.

If the transmission is damaged that badly some how from abuse, the engine probably won't be much better off either.

these two posts nail it and then you 'might' have a bearing issue so trans $2g plus install and parts (fluid/filter) plus bearings $2,500 i'd look at other cars at least with service history.

[decimation1]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

I'll go with Deans advice 100% of the time OP.

This.

[bimmerfrk]

All these grumpies are wrong.

If you like the car just buy it. Its a simple at home DIY. What could go wrong?

[dkracing]

Originally Posted by decimation1

The physical swap is easy, probably a 3 hour job with a lift. Double that if you are doing it on jack stands...

Its nuts how that works doesnt it. When I swapped my exhaust I watched the videos piece of cake............6 hours later.

[M_Three]

Originally Posted by dkracing

Its nuts how that works doesnt it. When I swapped my exhaust I watched the videos piece of cake............6 hours later.

But I bet it was a fun 6 hours..

[decimation1]

Originally Posted by dkracing

Its nuts how that works doesnt it. When I swapped my exhaust I watched the videos piece of cake............6 hours later.

My son and I just swapped his transmission on his 330, in and out of the garage in just under 3 hours, it's all about having the right tools for the job.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by decimation1

...it's all about having the right tools for the job.

Agreed. That's kind of the point. Don't take on a mechanic's special unless you're a mechanic.

Though I'll say that even as a professional, I've never been able to get any trans job done quickly as there have always been unforeseen parts required and additional "while I'm in there" tasks that others might ignore. If someone rushes through a DCT job that quickly then they probably didn't replace soft parts that needed to be replaced. Attention to detail takes time.

[GRUESOM3]

Yea at 100k a rear main seal replacement at the least comes to mind.

[JDM_CL9]

Where did the OP go?

[crypticc]

How do you test drive the car to make sure it's only the gearbox that's not working? I'd assume it's a non runner because it is..Also if it was financially beneficial to switch the DCT the original owner surely would have done that and then sold the car as a runner? Run, run for the hills.

[theBRUDDHA]

Thanks for the help guys! To answer some questions, i can purchase the car for $16k. I figured an extra $2-3k for trans and fluids. The car will be a weekend driver to enjoy and modify at some point with bolt ons, but nothing major. I was thinking if it only will cost roughly $18k, then it might be worth it? Otherwise, I dont mind waiting for a better deal to come around. Thanks