Changing from auto to manual on e36 328i?

MikeHunt79 · 27 Apr 2007 at 01:37

I'm looking for a 2nd hand 328i, and there are loads of auto's out there, but I'm after a manual.

How hard would it be to change the auto box for a manual one? Could it be done in a weekend, or would it be easier to get a manual from the start.

GFX707 · 27 Apr 2007 at 01:45

Not trying to derail the thread but why do you want to change from auto to manual?

MikeHunt79 · 27 Apr 2007 at 01:51

Well, I'm after a manual car, but most of the good 2nd hand ones are auto.... so I was wondering if it's possible to buy an auto car, and change it to manual...

It's probably more trouble than it's worth, but if someone has already done it, then I'd be interested.

TomO · 27 Apr 2007 at 01:55

i would imagine it would be cheaper and easier to buy a manual in the first place.

touch · 27 Apr 2007 at 02:07

Its most likely a lot more trouble than its worth.
It wouldnt just be a case of pulling 1 gearbox off and bolting another one on.
You'd need to consider things like a gearstick (does it fit in the same hole that your *whatever you call an automatic's 'gearstick'* came out of?). Also you'd need to think about installing a clutch pedal, its likely that both manual/auto models use the same basic bodyshell so you prolly wont need to mod it any to fit in a clutch but its still going to be a silly ammount of work.

GFX707 · 27 Apr 2007 at 13:12

MikeHunt79 said:
Well, I'm after a manual car, but most of the good 2nd hand ones are auto.... so I was wondering if it's possible to buy an auto car, and change it to manual...

It's probably more trouble than it's worth, but if someone has already done it, then I'd be interested.

Heh, I mean why do you want to make the change? What has made you not want an auto any more? Fuel economy? Left leg getting skinnier than right leg?

[TW]Fox · 27 Apr 2007 at 13:30

GFX707 said:
Heh, I mean why do you want to make the change? What has made you not want an auto any more? Fuel economy? Left leg getting skinnier than right leg?

He hasn't bought the car yet, and he wants one with a manual box. Manual boxes make the car more rewarding and more enjoyable to drive. I wouldn't expect someone with the opinions you hold to ever understand that though, it actually involves enjoying your car and maybe, shock, not driving everywhere at 1mph under the speed limit.

Dogbreath · 27 Apr 2007 at 13:41

Not an easy swap these days unfortunately, with the extra complexity built into cars.

Besides the gearbox, you will need to remove the torque converter and replace with a flywheel and clutch assembly. Then you will need clutch slave cylinder, hydraulic pipes, clutch master cylinder and pedal assembly, new brake pedal and the interior trim. You may find the final drive ratio is incorrect for the manual box,requiring the diff to be swapped out. Likely to be lots of wiring differences, and probably even differences in the ECU. The auto box will probably have an oil cooler that will need to be removed.

Not worth it tbh.

MikeHunt79 · 27 Apr 2007 at 16:15

^Blimey! Quite a bit of work then... but then I never expected it to be easy. I forgot all about adding the clutch pedal and gearstick and all the rest of the gubbins. Sometimes a diff can be pinched from the m3 to lower the gearing, but still, lots of work, and will require lots of bits as well. I think I'll keep an eye out for a nice manual, but they seem rare compared to to auto's that seem far more common.

GFX707 said:
Heh, I mean why do you want to make the change? What has made you not want an auto any more? Fuel economy? Left leg getting skinnier than right leg?

Well, I want it as a track/weekend car (not a runaround), so a power sapping auto box isn't really what I'm after.

GFX707 · 27 Apr 2007 at 16:33

[TW]Fox said:
He hasn't bought the car yet, and he wants one with a manual box. Manual boxes make the car more rewarding and more enjoyable to drive. I wouldn't expect someone with the opinions you hold to ever understand that though, it actually involves enjoying your car and maybe, shock, not driving everywhere at 1mph under the speed limit.

If you have some personal problem with me maybe you could just keep it in my threads instead of making everyone read your childish spiteful nonsense?

I drive a manual all the time. Stop making assumptions. I prefer autos but that doesn't mean I have something against manuals.

Most of all, stop the trolling.

GFX707 · 27 Apr 2007 at 16:38

MikeHunt79 said:
Well, I want it as a track/weekend car (not a runaround), so a power sapping auto box isn't really what I'm after.

Ah, OK. That makes sense.

Anyone here prefer a manual for everyday commuting etc? Or outright refuses to drive an auto?

Luke15 · 27 Apr 2007 at 17:02

GFX707 said:
If you have some personal problem with me maybe you could just keep it in my threads instead of making everyone read your childish spiteful nonsense?

I drive a manual all the time. Stop making assumptions. I prefer autos but that doesn't mean I have something against manuals.

Most of all, stop the trolling.

He wasnt having a pop at you :rolleyes:

it may seem like it, but hes not. He tells it as it is, without the pussyfooting around.

GFX707 · 27 Apr 2007 at 17:03

Actually he was, he does it all the time, follows me around, etc.

al123 · 27 Apr 2007 at 17:05

GFX707 said:
Anyone here prefer a manual for everyday commuting etc? Or outright refuses to drive an auto?

I prefer manual

I've driven an auto Disco and Scénic.

Johnz0r · 27 Apr 2007 at 17:13

GFX707 said:
If you have some personal problem with me maybe you could just keep it in my threads instead of making everyone read your childish spiteful nonsense?

Most of all, stop the trolling.

Q F T

Zip · 27 Apr 2007 at 17:22

GFX707 said:
Ah, OK. That makes sense.

Anyone here prefer a manual for everyday commuting etc? Or outright refuses to drive an auto?

I prefer manual in day to day driving.

I wont refuse to drive an Auto but i will Refuse to own one

Do you refuse to drive manuals?

Sone · 27 Apr 2007 at 17:46

GFX707 said:
Anyone here prefer a manual for everyday commuting etc? Or outright refuses to drive an auto?

much prefer autos. But small autos are pants you need a 3 litre plus engine

Dogbreath · 27 Apr 2007 at 18:06

GFX707 said:
Anyone here prefer a manual for everyday commuting etc? Or outright refuses to drive an auto?

I hate auto's with a passion. Nasty, slushy, power sapping horrible things with a mind of their own. I'd probably change my mind if I drove a massive barge through traffic jams a lot...

TripleT · 27 Apr 2007 at 18:11

GFX707 said:
Ah, OK. That makes sense.

Anyone here prefer a manual for everyday commuting etc? Or outright refuses to drive an auto?

95% of the time I would actually prefer an auto as it's spent in traffic etc. The other 5% manual all the way

Defo wouldn't say no to a nice DSG/SMG box though, best of both imo