Does a used DCT transmission need to be coded to work?

[DanMpower]

Helping a friend swap in a used low mileage DCT transmission into his E90 next weekend.

Has anybody done this job before? Pretty straight forward? It looks quite easy from just eyeing it.

I've been hearing conflicting info that the Getrag DCT transmissions are VIN coded and the mechatronics control units needs to be coded with the correct VIN in order for it to work. Any truth to this?

I also heard that if you install a used DCT tranny from the same year that no programming is needed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[StripclubDJ]

Have you identified it being a dct unit issue or a mechatronic issue?

If it's confirmed the unit in bad, you need to take the side pan off and swap his mechatronics into the new trans

A clutch relearn will also need to be done after bringing the trans up to 80degC via bmw scam tool or auto logic

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by StripclubDJ

Have you identified it being a dct unit issue or a mechatronic issue?

If it's confirmed the unit in bad, you need to take the side pan off and swap his mechatronics into the new trans

A clutch relearn will also need to be done after bringing the trans up to 80degC via bmw scam tool or auto logic

StripclubDJ, his car has over 140k miles with no real DCT issues. He just happened to get a hold of a very low mileage DCT unit from a wrecking yard for cheap so he's swapping it in.

Is there any way he can use the mechatronics from the donor DCT?

[StripclubDJ]

Originally Posted by M and Ms

StripclubDJ, his car has over 140k miles with no real DCT issues. He just happened to get a hold of a very low mileage DCT unit from a wrecking yard for cheap so he's swapping it in.

Is there any way he can use the mechatronics from the donor DCT?

No, unless you want to tow it the bmw and try

It's really easy to sway the mechatronics, takes maybe 30 min and you can change the side pan gasket which is notorious to leak

[StripclubDJ]

I would also change the soft cooler lines on the side of the trans running to the top heat exchanger while your at it
They go bad all the time if his aren't already leaking

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by StripclubDJ

No, unless you want to tow it the bmw and try

It's really easy to sway the mechatronics, takes maybe 30 min and you can change the side pan gasket which is notorious to leak

Found a place that will program the mechatronics for him.
https://www.rpmmotorsport.net/collec...amming-service

Ouch $600 for the service, that's about how much he paid for the transmission itself! Looks like swapping the mechatronics it is!

[StripclubDJ]

Yeah... literally takes no time at all lol

[8500RPM]

Originally Posted by M and Ms

StripclubDJ, his car has over 140k miles with no real DCT issues. He just happened to get a hold of a very low mileage DCT unit from a wrecking yard for cheap so he's swapping it in.

Is there any way he can use the mechatronics from the donor DCT?

Sounds like you guys are trying to open a can of worms that doesn't need to be opened. If his stock DCT is running fine I'd leave it alone and keep the fresh spare in the garage.

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by 8500RPM

Sounds like you guys are trying to open a can of worms that doesn't need to be opened. If his stock DCT is running fine I'd leave it alone and keep the fresh spare in the garage.

That's my thought as well but he is adamant about doing this as "preventative maintenance"

I'm always there to lend a helping hand if he needs it.

[8500RPM]

Originally Posted by M and Ms

That's my thought as well but he is adamant about doing this as "preventative maintenance"

I'm always there to lend a helping hand if he needs it.

To be honest if he's going that route he might want to replace the DCT clutches as by 140k miles I'm sure they're worn. It would be dumb to replace a high mileage tranny with a low miles one but still be using the 140k miles worn clutches.

[Timujin]

Originally Posted by 8500RPM

To be honest if he's going that route he might want to replace the DCT clutches as by 140k miles I'm sure they're worn. It would be dumb to replace a high mileage tranny with a low miles one but still be using the 140k miles worn clutches.

^the clutches are inside of the DCT.


I wouldn't do this as a PM item. Huge can of shit not worms. If your friend wants to do PM do RBs if they haven't been done. Or some of the countless other things that are considered PM.

Set that DCT in storage for when it is needed or can be flipped. IMHO