MMi swop main head unit is it coded to car? - free beers

[David 888888]

MMi 3g keeps crashing and not booting up more often.  So I have bought another with full matching part number.    When. I plug it in, the new unit comes on straight away. But you get the message  features disabled turn on ignition. 

Is this because the unit have bought has a fault.   Or is it because it needs coding to the car as I read somwhere they are coded to the vin. 

Happy to send a case of beers to somebody who can advise me. 

[Steve Q]

It will have some sort of coding for security. But any replacement head unit can be coded.