was wondering if a automatic transmission can be changedc to a manual tranny??? and would it be more expensive to do that or just have my auto one rebuilt???? I have a 2003 325i.
You can't change and automatic transmission to a manual transmission. Your best bet would be to find a donor car with a manual transmission and swap the trans, pedals, shifter, etc... Having it rebuilt would be the cheaper way to go.
Actually, it can be done, but you or your mechanic really need to know what you are doing. Personally, I would not attempt it. Neil @ e46fanatics has done it. What is the problem w/ your automatic? This is an important question, because sometimes solenoid issues (hundred of dollars) are mistaken for mechanical issues (thousands of dollars).
How can you change the internals of an automatic transmission to a manual transmission? The only thing he could do is do a tranny swap like denyo77 did.
the car shifts hard in two gears, kind of jerks into gear sometimes but I am afraid of a trans. service because of two bad past experiences of my own plus what I have read on doing that. I bought the car with 80k on it but dont know the maintenance history. I was just wondering about the swap over to a manual tranny if it turns out that i will need a new transmission.
the car shifts hard in two gears, kind of jerks into gear sometimes but I am afraid of a trans. service because of two bad past experiences of my own plus what I have read on doing that. I bought the car with 80k on it but dont know the maintenance history. I was just wondering about the swap over to a manual tranny if it turns out that i will need a new transmission.
My car shifts harshly from 1st to 2nd when I really floor it, that is fairly common. Don't have a problem with other gears.
Some people have had luck getting their tranny software reflashed, which has to be done at a dealer, but only costs a few hundred bucks. Solenoids and torque converters are cheaper than tranny swaps (manual or auto). Just saying, don't just assume your tranny is dead.
You have to find a tranny guy you can trust. I have one here in Madison, but even he can't really diagnose a problem unless he opens up the tranny. So, start cheap, and work your way forward. The fluid/filter change mentioned is a good place to start.
just did the manual conversion after my tranny was busted.
You should take the time to thoroughly check out the transmission. A hard kick into 4th gear was the first sign when my slushbox went bad...
I would do the flush yourself. As long as the fluid is not really really bad or smell really burnt, you should not have any issues. I flushed my Volvo's transmission when I got it 188K and it had no history of it ever being done. The transmission shifts a lot better now. It is not perfect all the time, but 99% it is.
These are my DIY instructions for a 7 series, yours will differ slightly but not that much, when you take it to the garage make sure they follow the refill procedure exactly as below:
To change auto gearbox Fluid and filter on an E38 you will need:
1) a torx T20 socket for the pan screws and filter screws (male)
2) a H8 Hex socket for the drain and fill plug (male)
3) a minimum 5ltrs TITAN ATF 4000
4) a new filter ( BMW )
5) new pan gasket ( BMW )
6) a garden sprayer ( to refill, works brill )
7) a suitable container for draining fluid and rags.
How to:
> car up minimum 400mm and level
> Start up.. 10mins turn off
> remove bottom plug and drain fluid / BEWARE HOT FLUID BURNS !! / safety goggles required
> replace pan plug
> remove all pan screws / clips that hold wires to the pan/ be careful there will be fluid still in the pan!!
> remove the 2 filter screws / there will be fluid left in the filter !!
> clean out pan and the four magnets/ lint free cloth / degreaser or brake cleaner
> clean surfaces for gasket
> screw in new filter / make sure its in flat and take care to get the 'O' ring in correct
> replace the four magnets
> place gasket on pan with a little fluid / replace pan
> Undo fill plug / drivers side rear
> start filling until fluid dribbles out / replace plug finger tight
> start car... go through all gear selections slowly 3 times keeping foot on brake / then in 'P' turn off after 10 mins
> undo filler plug fill some more until dribble comes out / plug back in finger tight
> Start car put in 'N' ....now be careful not to burn yourself!! whilst car running (Air-con on full blast) undo filler plug put more fluid in until it dribbles out again, put filler plug in and tighten.
> All done car down, fluid to a designated place!!
> Time for a cup of tea / can of beer or a ciggy
Note: the entire box takes 10 ltrs, but you will not require this as the torque convertor will still be half full and also the valve control body also contains more, I would say that a 7.5 ltr can will be enough, but please dont quote me!!
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