DCT longevity

IFX · 01-22-2011, 10:49 PM

Can you guys with over 40k with DCT chime in with what issues (if any) you've had?

I'm picking up an e90 soon, and i really plan on riding this car until the wheels fall off... I searched "dct" but a bunch of random problems came up, looking more for figures.

ES_TRADER · 01-22-2011, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IFX

Can you guys with over 40k with DCT chime in with what issues (if any) you've had?

I'm picking up an e90 soon, and i really plan on riding this car until the wheels fall off... I searched "dct" but a bunch of random problems came up, looking more for figures.

I've had it less than 3k and I can tell u the problems that I have had.... Kinda the opposite of what ur asking for lol but maybe to consider as well.

ES_TRADER · 01-22-2011, 11:28 PM

I too, plan on driving it till the wheels fall off, but it seems likely the transmission will fall out ages before the wheels do.

It is amazing, but only time will tell if it's built to really last. The manual says dct oil is lifetime oil, however, I really want to know WHO'S lifetime? Mine? The car? Or the tranny?

MVF4Rrider · 01-22-2011, 11:29 PM

I would not be happy to have a DCT car out of warranty, and have an issue. If my SMG hydraulics ever go south, I'll just convert it to a 6MT (with the same gearbox!).

Eau Rouge · 01-23-2011, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richpuer

I too, plan on driving it till the wheels fall off, but it seems likely the transmission will fall out ages before the wheels do.

It is amazing, but only time will tell if it's built to really last. The manual says dct oil is lifetime oil, however, I really want to know WHO'S lifetime? Mine? The car? Or the tranny?

As George Carlin might say, "Isn't that a little vague?"

Which will have the shortest life; you, the car or the tranny? Did you say "tranny"?

I too would like to know what engineers estimated to be the range of mileage that would require at replacement of at least 50% of all DCT's.

Echo M3 · 01-23-2011, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eau Rouge

As George Carlin might say, "Isn't that a little vague?"

Which will have the shortest life; you, the car or the tranny? Did you say "tranny"?

I too would like to know what engineers estimated to be the range of mileage that would require at replacement of at least 50% of all DCT's.

Or as I like to call it, the LD(CT)50. Nerdy joke, I know...

bigjae1976 · 01-23-2011, 01:18 AM

I think the DCT is largely still a mystery. I don't think anyone has ever DIY'd a DCT oil change. We know there is a drain and fill plug though so it should be possible.

Gkap · 01-23-2011, 09:08 AM

The DCT will probably last a long time.
I plan on extending my warranty when the
time comes. Just incase it does go.

wrh3 · 01-23-2011, 09:13 AM

Lifetime= Lifetime of the warranty

Crops · 01-23-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrh3

Lifetime= Lifetime of the warranty

Have about 60k on mine. No problems and liking it more all the time.

Montoya · 01-23-2011, 12:52 PM

I think if you search you will find many threads on this subject. The main issue will be the wet clutch. Others with experience with wet clutches on motorcycles are amazed that there aren't any maintenance fluid changes required...

jcaptain · 01-23-2011, 03:08 PM

I have seen other threads on this, but admit that I also am very curious about the longevity of the clutches on the DCT. I plan on keeping this car for a long time as long as it doesn't spend too much time at the shop. Also, having one of these vehicles out of warranty can be a scary proposition.

@ Crops: Great to hear that the DCT is working great after 60k. I've made it to 2k with no problems.

SenorFunkyPants · 01-24-2011, 02:33 AM

AIUI the DCT clutches are a multi disk pack of metal plates that are lubricated by a specialised low slip oil that also has to allow smooth judder free engagement.
The system is closer to the clutches used in a limited slip diff than the normal single dry plate clutch as used in a MT.
The clutches should last the lifetime of the car (as LSD clutches are expected to do) which is so far supported by the very low reported failure rate of these transmissions (early software problems aside).

FruitCake · 01-24-2011, 03:51 AM

Will probably get the F3x M3 by then, so my car won't even be out of warranty. No worries here but certainly wouldn't own one out of warranty. Nothing lasts forever, especially money.

drvai · 01-24-2011, 07:25 AM

Its very difficult to know as this dct gearbox is new. You will need to wait years to see the real reliability of them. You can especulate that the 6MT would be more reliable as has been around for ages.

The mayor issue (as mentioned before) is the cost of repairing this GB.

SenorFunkyPants · 01-24-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drvai

Its very difficult to know as this dct gearbox is new. You will need to wait years to see the real reliability of them. You can especulate that the 6MT would be more reliable as has been around for ages.

No doubt MT M3s will suffer from the usual MT woes of syncro ring and clutch plate wear which at least are *relatively* cheap to rectify.
The DCTs have yet to show any hardware fragility but as you rightly note, if you are the unlucky one with a problem then it could be expensive (but then thats why you take out an extended warranty).

Radiation Joe · 01-24-2011, 07:59 AM

I asked my dealer to change the DCT fluid at 40k miles jut like I would with any other transmission/differential. It's expensive at something like $450 and I was willing to pay, but BMW would not allow it. If BMW doesn't change their tune with regard to DCT maintenance, I think many are doomed to $10k tranny replacements around 100k miles just like all of the rest of the BMW automatics. It'll be a different failure mechanism from a traditional auto, but it WILL happen.

Lifetime fluid my ass. Even manuals require fluid changes.

IFX · 01-24-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crops

Have about 60k on mine. No problems and liking it more all the time.

lol thank you for your reply.

Well keeping a car for a "long" time for me is over 3 years.

I'm 20, and had about 3 cars so far. And i've had the e46m3 for a year now.
So i'm looking to dump her off and pick up an 08, mod it pretty heavily for the first year or so, then let her go after about 2 years. It'll be out of warranty, but than again I don't put alot of mileage on my cars anyway.

Interesting BMW won't open up the DCT to change the fluid though. Has anyone even done it themselves yet? Or do you need a series of computers to re-set this and re-set that?

James T. Kirk · 01-24-2011, 10:39 AM

Don't worry so much. It's a car. It lives and then eventually dies.
So drive it like you stole it.

I would gamble that you'll be changing cars long before that DCT
will ever have a chance to give out.

IFX · 01-24-2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James T. Kirk

Don't worry so much. It's a car. It lives and then eventually dies.
So drive it like you stole it.

I would gamble that you'll be changing cars long before that DCT
will ever have a chance to give out.

why of course

01-22-2011, 10:49 PM	#1
IFX Banned 67 Rep 2,536 Posts Drives: AW e46M/N54 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Fla. iTrader: (1)	DCT longevity Can you guys with over 40k with DCT chime in with what issues (if any) you've had? I'm picking up an e90 soon, and i really plan on riding this car until the wheels fall off... I searched "dct" but a bunch of random problems came up, looking more for figures.
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01-22-2011, 11:28 PM	#3
ES_TRADER Colonel 344 Rep 2,928 Posts Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 Ford Raptor [0.00] 2012 328i E92 [10.00] 2013 X5 [0.00] 2013 335i F30 [8.00] 1990 Toyota Previa [0.00] 1997 E36 M3 [10.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 535i [0.00]	I too, plan on driving it till the wheels fall off, but it seems likely the transmission will fall out ages before the wheels do. It is amazing, but only time will tell if it's built to really last. The manual says dct oil is lifetime oil, however, I really want to know WHO'S lifetime? Mine? The car? Or the tranny?
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01-22-2011, 11:29 PM	#4
MVF4Rrider PCA, BMWCCA 102 Rep 2,058 Posts Drives: 997S, MV Agusta F4, E46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV iTrader: (0)	I would not be happy to have a DCT car out of warranty, and have an issue. If my SMG hydraulics ever go south, I'll just convert it to a 6MT (with the same gearbox!). __________________ '08 Carrera S 6MT Guards Red/Black ext leather, Carbon fiber pkg, sport exh, sport chrono +, PASM, Nav, Bose, 19" forged turbos, red tranny tunnel '07 MV Agusta F4 1000 R 1+1, Corse Red/Silver, RG3 race pipes and factory race ECU
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01-23-2011, 01:18 AM	#7
bigjae1976 Major General 1571 Rep 8,076 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	I think the DCT is largely still a mystery. I don't think anyone has ever DIY'd a DCT oil change. We know there is a drain and fill plug though so it should be possible. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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01-23-2011, 09:08 AM	#8
Gkap BMF Movement 51 Rep 3,024 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: GTA iTrader: (1)	The DCT will probably last a long time. I plan on extending my warranty when the time comes. Just incase it does go.
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01-23-2011, 09:13 AM	#9
wrh3 Car Guy 31 Rep 796 Posts Drives: 2005 MCS, 2013 Corvette 427 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ATL, GA iTrader: (10)	Lifetime= Lifetime of the warranty __________________ Bill- 2005 Mini Cooper S, 2013 Corvette 427 www.billswebspace.com/bmwindex BMW CCA Member # 389948
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01-23-2011, 12:52 PM	#11
Montoya Lieutenant 52 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 2015 GT3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portland iTrader: (0)	I think if you search you will find many threads on this subject. The main issue will be the wet clutch. Others with experience with wet clutches on motorcycles are amazed that there aren't any maintenance fluid changes required... __________________ '08 E92 IB, Gone '10 GT3 now in my garage! '10 X5 3.5D '12 E91 Xi Wagon MT sports package
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01-23-2011, 03:08 PM	#12
jcaptain Private 0 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3-DCT-Blk/Blk Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (0)	I have seen other threads on this, but admit that I also am very curious about the longevity of the clutches on the DCT. I plan on keeping this car for a long time as long as it doesn't spend too much time at the shop. Also, having one of these vehicles out of warranty can be a scary proposition. @ Crops: Great to hear that the DCT is working great after 60k. I've made it to 2k with no problems.
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01-24-2011, 02:33 AM	#13
SenorFunkyPants Brigadier General 2511 Rep 4,381 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	AIUI the DCT clutches are a multi disk pack of metal plates that are lubricated by a specialised low slip oil that also has to allow smooth judder free engagement. The system is closer to the clutches used in a limited slip diff than the normal single dry plate clutch as used in a MT. The clutches should last the lifetime of the car (as LSD clutches are expected to do) which is so far supported by the very low reported failure rate of these transmissions (early software problems aside).
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01-24-2011, 03:51 AM	#14
FruitCake Banned 88 Rep 1,680 Posts Drives: '10 E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (19)	Will probably get the F3x M3 by then, so my car won't even be out of warranty. No worries here but certainly wouldn't own one out of warranty. Nothing lasts forever, especially money.
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01-24-2011, 07:25 AM	#15
drvai Major 136 Rep 1,274 Posts Drives: E92 M3 AW Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Its very difficult to know as this dct gearbox is new. You will need to wait years to see the real reliability of them. You can especulate that the 6MT would be more reliable as has been around for ages. The mayor issue (as mentioned before) is the cost of repairing this GB.
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01-24-2011, 07:59 AM	#17
Radiation Joe Veni Vidi Vici 89 Rep 2,750 Posts Drives: '11 JB/BBe-6sp-e90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Macungie PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 e90 M3-Sold [8.50] 2003 RS6 - Sold [0.00] 2009 e90 M3 - Gone [0.00] 2003 M3 SOLD [0.00] old 2002 [10.00]	I asked my dealer to change the DCT fluid at 40k miles jut like I would with any other transmission/differential. It's expensive at something like $450 and I was willing to pay, but BMW would not allow it. If BMW doesn't change their tune with regard to DCT maintenance, I think many are doomed to $10k tranny replacements around 100k miles just like all of the rest of the BMW automatics. It'll be a different failure mechanism from a traditional auto, but it WILL happen. Lifetime fluid my ass. Even manuals require fluid changes. __________________ Dinan compliment of stuff plus PF rotors and RG63s. Enough for now. Why, yes. I am an abrasive bastard.
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01-24-2011, 10:39 AM	#19
James T. Kirk Captain of the Enterprise 101 Rep 1,424 Posts Drives: 2011 1 Series M Coupe Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001 iTrader: (0)	Don't worry so much. It's a car. It lives and then eventually dies. So drive it like you stole it. I would gamble that you'll be changing cars long before that DCT will ever have a chance to give out. __________________ 2011 1 Series M Coupe VO M3 vs 1M Comparo Review 2011 M3 E90 DCT ZCP (sold) * 2010 335i Sedan (sold) 2005 M3 Convertible (sold) * 2003 325i Sedan (sold)
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