DCT long term

[CaptainMorgan]

I'm looking at a new car in the next few months, I've been having a bit of a head vs heart tussle with myself for a while. My heart choice is a M3 in E90/2 flavour. I've always liked them and the way engines are downsizing at the moment I doubt we'll see many more V8 engines being made in the future so think it's a good time to go for one.

Problem is I really want an auto and while the DCT gets decent reviews, BMW offers no suggestion of maintenance schedule for them which worries me. The car I plan to own for a long long time and I'd like to do all I can to keep it running well, while VWs DSG isnt faultless, they do offer a service schedule and service kits for them. What happens when they have issues? Is it just a case of replacing the whole thing at £5k? £10k?

So, anyone got any info on how long these boxes are lasting, anyone who's worked on them or serviced them?

Cheers

[CaptainMorgan]

Thanks for the replies. I hadn't thought of the spare complete boxes situation, worst case the box on the car died totally I could drop another in it, good shout! In all honesty, 90% of my driving is chilled out commuting, maybe 10% is hard driving so the box would get an easy life.

I need to dig about a bit more, do some research on the car as a whole and decide if I have the balls to go for one or not I think.

Thanks again!

[CaptainMorgan]

ndj said:

Sump gaskets can leak requiring the replacement of the entire sump plus fluid. Not bank breaking but a few hundred quid.

The mechatronics panel gasket can also leak requiring the box to be partially dropped to replace. Again not life/death but if you have all done at the same time it's more than a few quid in parts and labour.

Other than that I agree with the other comments above regarding reliability.

Ah yes, I'd read about a few leaks cropping up. Just been reading about some guys over in the US changing the oil on them, although you can only change about 5.5L of 7.5L I think.