528i Auto to manual tranny swap? - BMW Forum

Jamison · 03-25-2006, 09:41 PM

I want a manual transmission sooooo bad. I cant stand automatics. If i can find a used manual tranny what else will i have to replace in order to fully convert the car. some kind of computer? obviously i will need the shifter mechanism. anybody ever do this before?

Jamison · 03-25-2006, 09:42 PM

Also where is the best place to find a tranny?

98estorilm3 · 03-25-2006, 10:10 PM

i have the same problem and want to convert my m3 to manual...help!

Jamison · 03-26-2006, 09:58 PM

Well i can always see what the dealership has in terms of a "rebuilt" manual transmission. its prolly gonna cost 4k... i want a manual soooooo badd dammit i hate automatic

ozarkmark · 03-28-2006, 10:28 PM

I tried to get the dealer to swap mine for the manual when my auto went kaput. I was told flat out it was not possible.
Good luck and more power to you if you can get this done.

superdeadman · 03-29-2006, 07:25 AM

i'm not sure if it is possible or not, but it is pretty much pointless unless your transmition went out. The reason? it's gonna cost you so much that it'll be cheaper/easier to sell your car and buy the same one with manual and have money left for repairs. You can always get 540/6 speed and those things are beautiful

Jamison · 03-29-2006, 04:31 PM

Well I have been quoted as low as 650 for a used manual transmission. 800 for one from Bavarian Auto Recyclers. They told me they sell "conversion kits" which allow you to swap manual in in place of the stock automatic. Im not sure how much it costs. Im calling in just a few minutes to try and find out. So i mean if the transmission itself only costs 800 I cant see how it would be so much more expensive to swap. I know people that can drop a tranny and put it back in and who would be willing to help so thats one less thing to pay for. So basically all you have to worry about is the parts and the trouble of putting in a clutch pedal. How this is done, I do not know... Not to mention I could turn around and recoup some of my losses by selling my old auto tranny.

325isBaby · 03-29-2006, 06:27 PM

We have seen the aftermath of an aftermarket shop trying to convert an auto to a manual, basically the car doesn't have the computers/programming to understand the switch...if I recall correctly the car ended up having to be junked due to the hack job before we got it and the cost to repair it....food for thought I suppose

Jamison · 03-29-2006, 09:24 PM

thats....gay. then why would they advertise swap kits. maybe this kit has a computer swap?

sp0rky · 03-30-2006, 03:41 AM

Auto to manual swaps are way more common than most people think. Most dealers won't touch the work.

On my 95 e34, I was quoted 2100 parts and labor for a manual transmission swap.

Things that are needed: Sometimes diff, driveshaft, transmission, trans mounts, clutch kit, new throwout bearing, pilot bearing, slave cylinder and lines, shifter linkage, removal of the auto tranny computer and someone with the know how to "trick it" (yes it's been done), new pedal assembly.

There are a few other odds and ends, but when you buy all of this used, it's generally about $1500 or so for an e39. Add on about 10 hours of labor at a shop who knows what they are doing and your at about 2800.

Good luck if you really want to do it. Typically people do this when their autos fail since it's generally the same price as a rebuilt auto.

Jamison · 03-30-2006, 02:51 PM

then im just going to have to try and kill my auto tranny lol.... no really how much could i get out of the auto tranny and all of the components that i would not need for a manual? 800? 1000? its got 116k miles on it and shifts great

sp0rky · 03-30-2006, 03:30 PM

If the auto trans is in fact in great condition, it would sell for around 800 - 900$ Yes, rebuilts are around the same price - but people usually prefer a working OEM.

The driveshaft - 100 easy
auto flywheel - who knows
differential - about 300 - 400 assuming in good condition.
Basically you are doing an even trade for many of the parts then you just have to buy a few (as mentioned above) and get someone to do the 10-12 hours of labor. I strongly suggest that you find a local shop with the know-how and an accurate labor quote that is willing to do the job before you even think about any of this.

Teh Prof · 03-30-2006, 10:55 PM

why would he have to get a new diff?

sp0rky · 03-31-2006, 02:11 AM

Gear ratios between automatic and manual are usually hugely different. I mean, it's not a necessity, but more than likely, he'd either be giving up some top end or some accel. ( i cant remember which)

Hey - how do you like the e36 compared to e39.... power aside...? You keep your cars nice and clean it looks like.

Teh Prof · 03-31-2006, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sp0rky

Hey - how do you like the e36 compared to e39.... power aside...? You keep your cars nice and clean it looks like.

Hmm....well, the seats on the E36 I have do have thigh supports that my E39 didn't, but no adjustable lumbar and no heat. The automatic transmission is more polite and shifts pretty much when I want it to on the E36, especially in sport mode. The stock lux package speakers in the E39 were much better than the lux package speakers in my 3. The E39 was obviously a good deal larger inside, especially the back seat...but most of the people that I haul around are high school kids, so space isn't necessarily a problem (they're little!). My OBC in the E36 does a lot more than the OBC in my E39. My gas mileage is actually better on my M3 than on my 528 on the highway. I miss the trunk space. The E36 is shockingly more maneuverable (although that could be M-specific). I miss the memory seat feature in the E39. The cupholders are marginally better in the E36. That is pretty much everything apart from power that occurs to me at the moment.

Overall I'm ok with the trade...I wish I hadn't totalled the old car, not just because I liked it, but because I wound up losing a good chunk of money. I do love the extra power and speed :-)