I've recently purchased a 2006 Mk5 GTi Automatic Golf. Now the day after I purchased it I went to take it to the mechanic because it needed some new cv joints and on my way decided to try the Tiptronic out. All went well until went to put it back into automatic, heard a crunch then the gear selection on the dash started flashing, car wouldn't drive, wouldn't turn on and couldn't even remove the keys. Got the 500m tow truck ride and waited for a few days now they are saying the auto shifter assembly is cactus. Problem is they say it cant be second hand, has to be new because it has to be coded into the ecu and new from a dealer costs in the excess of 2 grand. So my questions are;

1: Are they full of it when they say it has to be new and coded?
2: If it does have to be new can it be imported cheaper and if so where could I source that?
3: If you can get away with a second hand part is there much involved in replacing it?