Convert 135i from step to manual

C.junior · 01-08-2013, 09:25 PM

.

Bmwbreed · 01-08-2013, 10:02 PM

A conversion would be very expensive as well if its even possible it's nowhere near as easy as a civic I'm sure. But you will prolly spend at least half that trying to change it. Maybe more.

SteveAZ · 01-08-2013, 10:28 PM

Not to mention the resale value of your car will plummet!

Pig Farmer · 01-09-2013, 07:10 AM

I'm trying to think of all the parts it would require. I'll start the list:

1) Manual transmission/clutch assembly
2) Clutch & Brake Pedal assembly
3) SSK?
4) Stick shift boot, nob and interior trim.
5) Possibly a new steering wheel

The brakes and hydraulic clutch share the same brake fluid on the MT so what is involved there? I'm sure there is coding involved as well. As everyone knows, the final drive ratio on the AT is shorter, but most MT drivers like the idea of swapping to the AT's 3.46 ratio for the added acceleration. Are the drive shafts compatible? What else to consider?

RoundelM3 · 01-09-2013, 08:57 AM

The DME would likely have to change or be reprogrammed as well. This would not be a worthwhile endeavor by any means, either financially or the amount of effort required. Keep your car for awhile and trade it when you're not so upside-down.

chrisv_335EBII · 01-09-2013, 09:45 AM

Also make sure you really want a manual for the right reason and not just because people on these forums keep going on about awesome manuals are (me included,lol)

I love driving manual but its not worth the money to switch. It also has a lot of negatives because it sucks getting stuck in traffic.

C.junior · 01-09-2013, 11:04 AM

Yeah all my cars where manual this is my first auto and I use a work truck every day so it's more like a weekend car or go to car meets during week after work I may just wait till I can get a 1m

JTBMW1 · 01-09-2013, 12:58 PM

Way better off trading it for a manual. Retrofitting a manual in an automatic in a BMW probably can be done by a seasoned veteran car craftsman with machining experience, etc. although it would be costly. And would you ever be able to re-sell it after? Most BMW typical buyers would run. Like someone already indicated, it's not a Civic.

GeeRam · 01-09-2013, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.junior

If I trade it in I'm going to lose like 6grand I owe 34000$ dealers giving me 28000$

6 grand to trade it in, is a LOT less than what it would likely cost to try and convert it

cheshirecat79 · 01-09-2013, 06:16 PM

Not even worth considering, OP. Built up some equity and trade it out when your finances allow.

Freon · 01-09-2013, 11:00 PM

Don't use a dealer. Sell car private party, buy car private party. Of course a dealer will nail you on trade in.

golf_234 · 01-10-2013, 12:23 AM

back in the e46 days it wasn't a big deal.. now it is just too complicated. possible obviously, but not really economical

01-08-2013, 09:25 PM	#1
C.junior Private First Class 23 Rep 186 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Convert 135i from step to manual . Last edited by C.junior; 10-03-2013 at 09:38 PM..
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01-08-2013, 10:02 PM	#2
Bmwbreed Major 60 Rep 1,198 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 135i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Rota Spain (US Forces) iTrader: (3)	A conversion would be very expensive as well if its even possible it's nowhere near as easy as a civic I'm sure. But you will prolly spend at least half that trying to change it. Maybe more.
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01-08-2013, 10:28 PM	#3
SteveAZ Captain 60 Rep 654 Posts Drives: 135i Cab Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (5)	Not to mention the resale value of your car will plummet! __________________ 2008 E88--Fuel-It! Stage 4 LPFP & PI--PS2 turbos--JB4/MHD--FBO--662whp/604wtq 2011 E90--Fuel-It! S2BL LPFP and PI--PS2 Turbo--JB4/MHD--FBO--546whp/589wtq 2013 Mini JCW--Tune--DP--FMIC--a couple Fuel-It! goodies--265whp/320wtq 2013 F10--JB4/BM3 2015 F82--Fuel-It! Stage 3 LPFP & PI--PS2 Turbos-- JB4/BM3-FBO
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01-09-2013, 07:10 AM	#4
Pig Farmer Major 340 Rep 1,293 Posts Drives: E92M Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I'm trying to think of all the parts it would require. I'll start the list: 1) Manual transmission/clutch assembly 2) Clutch & Brake Pedal assembly 3) SSK? 4) Stick shift boot, nob and interior trim. 5) Possibly a new steering wheel The brakes and hydraulic clutch share the same brake fluid on the MT so what is involved there? I'm sure there is coding involved as well. As everyone knows, the final drive ratio on the AT is shorter, but most MT drivers like the idea of swapping to the AT's 3.46 ratio for the added acceleration. Are the drive shafts compatible? What else to consider?
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01-09-2013, 08:57 AM	#5
RoundelM3 Major General 1833 Rep 6,986 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wendell, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	The DME would likely have to change or be reprogrammed as well. This would not be a worthwhile endeavor by any means, either financially or the amount of effort required. Keep your car for awhile and trade it when you're not so upside-down. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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01-09-2013, 09:45 AM	#6
chrisv_335EBII Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 335i 6sp EBII Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Also make sure you really want a manual for the right reason and not just because people on these forums keep going on about awesome manuals are (me included,lol) I love driving manual but its not worth the money to switch. It also has a lot of negatives because it sucks getting stuck in traffic.
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01-09-2013, 11:04 AM	#7
C.junior Private First Class 23 Rep 186 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Yeah all my cars where manual this is my first auto and I use a work truck every day so it's more like a weekend car or go to car meets during week after work I may just wait till I can get a 1m
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01-09-2013, 12:58 PM	#8
JTBMW1 Private 3 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 128i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (0)	Way better off trading it for a manual. Retrofitting a manual in an automatic in a BMW probably can be done by a seasoned veteran car craftsman with machining experience, etc. although it would be costly. And would you ever be able to re-sell it after? Most BMW typical buyers would run. Like someone already indicated, it's not a Civic.
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01-09-2013, 06:16 PM	#10
cheshirecat79 Captain 32 Rep 919 Posts Drives: 370z & 135i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Port Saint Lucie, FL iTrader: (0)	Not even worth considering, OP. Built up some equity and trade it out when your finances allow.
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01-09-2013, 11:00 PM	#11
Freon Major 81 Rep 1,051 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (3)	Don't use a dealer. Sell car private party, buy car private party. Of course a dealer will nail you on trade in. __________________ 2009 BMW 135i 6MT Sport, AFE intake, Cobb AP, Apex 18x8.5+9.5, 255/275 PSS
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01-10-2013, 12:23 AM	#12
golf_234 Captain 319 Rep 905 Posts Drives: E46, E90, F30 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Santa Monica iTrader: (0)	back in the e46 days it wasn't a big deal.. now it is just too complicated. possible obviously, but not really economical __________________
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