How long are DCT boxes designed to last?

S

sunnydays

Active member
BMW states the DCT will last the life of the car, does this mean mileage wise or years?

Additionally I noticed the 35i and 35is use the Getrag GS7-D36SG. This is the same part # as the E92 M3 4.0 and i beleive the 335i, 135i m and m4 also use this. Are these literally identical? Ie could a m3 dct box be dropped in to a z4 for example

Thanks
 
Zed Five said:
Why, do you have a problem with yours? Age will be irrelevant, how it is used and how much will be.
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Nah I dont, just thinking longer term ownership and part availabillity
 
Well hopefully they will last a bloody long while, you can't get bits for them and they are about £9000 to replace.
However they are manufactured to withstand 600bhp plus and are regarded as being very reliable, so fingers crossed eh !
 
Depends how long a 'life' is, they tend to vary.
One of my customers bought a new Mini in 1970.
Changed oil every 3k, got rid of the car at 230k miles and 23 years later, so he says.
 
I guess the real question is could you just take the dct out of say a 335i which also has the n54 and drop it in the z4. Its the same model dct and engine etc.... and these boxes are only around £1000 when they appear on ebay. This is certainly more reassuring if it can be done!
 
sunnydays said:
I guess the real question is could you just take the dct out of say a 335i which also has the n54 and drop it in the z4. Its the same model dct and engine etc.... and these boxes are only around £1000 when they appear on ebay. This is certainly more reassuring if it can be done!
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Yes, it's the same unit.

The transmission is the same between the 135i, 335i, Z4 and the M3. The only difference being the M3 has a different gear selection unit (shifter) which means you can't use the M3 software with the other cars. Although some people are working on making that possible.
 
The cynic in me believes that lifetime is really just the warranty period... If you get a second hand box, how do you know it has been looked after, won't fail similarly etc.
 
I've been speaking to ken at wedge performance who said he has access to the pressure line tables for the DCT now, through MHD.
They are running 600 whp on stock units and the clutches appear to be holding. He also recommends SSP over Dodson, a lot of issues with Dodson clutches on the BMW DCT, although apparently they're brilliant for the GTR. They are making good inroads in the US and Australia on working with these boxes
 
stuartinzg said:
I've been speaking to ken at wedge performance who said he has access to the pressure line tables for the DCT now, through MHD.
They are running 600 whp on stock units and the clutches appear to be holding. He also recommends SSP over Dodson, a lot of issues with Dodson clutches on the BMW DCT, although apparently they're brilliant for the GTR. They are making good inroads in the US and Australia on working with these boxes
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What exactly did Ken say about the line pressure tables?

As far as I know, the pressure tables are inside the transmission control unit(TCU). MHD only flashes the engine control unit(ECU). The ECU sends a calculated torque output value to the TCU which then uses that torque value to decide what line pressure to use.

Editing the line pressure tables would be awesome if they are actually accessible.
 
sunnydays said:
I guess the real question is could you just take the dct out of say a 335i which also has the n54 and drop it in the z4. Its the same model dct and engine etc.... and these boxes are only around £1000 when they appear on ebay. This is certainly more reassuring if it can be done!
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You might find they have a different bell housing. Gearbox part numbers relate to the box only, nothing bolted to it to allow it to fit a particular model of car. For that you need the manufacturers part numbers to match up.
If you are worried about the cost of repairs you need to either relax and accept it is inevitable that the car will cost you money and enjoy the car, buy a warranty, or buy a ford!!!!
 
mcbutler said:
sunnydays said:
I guess the real question is could you just take the dct out of say a 335i which also has the n54 and drop it in the z4. Its the same model dct and engine etc.... and these boxes are only around £1000 when they appear on ebay. This is certainly more reassuring if it can be done!
Click to expand...
You might find they have a different bell housing. Gearbox part numbers relate to the box only, nothing bolted to it to allow it to fit a particular model of car. For that you need the manufacturers part numbers to match up.
If you are worried about the cost of repairs you need to either relax and accept it is inevitable that the car will cost you money and enjoy the car, buy a warranty, or buy a ford!!!!
Click to expand...
Ill try and relax lol :)
 
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