Auto to Manual swap

[11]

Anyone ever swapped in a manual? How much did it cost?

[Jeb_]

I haven't swapped a BMW before, but I did do a manual swap on my old prelude years ago and it was in the $4-5k range. It would have been cheaper but I imported the transmission. I don't know how closely the cost of parts for a 10 year old Honda 10 years ago lines up with a 10 year old BMW today, but I'd imagine it would be in the same general range.

I will say that my personal feelings after that swap are; unless I already have a lot sunk into the car or it holds some sentimental value, I think it's cheaper and a lot less trouble to sell the car and buy one that's already a manual. But that can also pose it's own issues.

[LcossE82]

Originally Posted by mconrad1776

Anyone ever swapped in a manual? How much did it cost?

It's been commented a lot on the difficulty of making the electronics work right. But for me I'm sticking with my auto till the trans pops then replacing it with a manual . By that point my car should be well done .

[cwlo]

I did a manual swap. I pulled the whole front subframe out and refreshed some engine stuff at the same time. That said, it doesn't make much sense unless the car has some unique attributes that are hard to find.

[LcossE82]

Originally Posted by cwlo

I did a manual swap. I pulled the whole front subframe out and refreshed some engine stuff at the same time. That said, it doesn't make much sense unless the car has some unique attributes that are hard to find.

How would you rate the job?

[cwlo]

Biggest issue with the job is the back and forth with ordering parts, waiting for them to arrive, proceeding, then having to order another part. I planned everything as well as possible, but my situation was a little unique, as I used a 330i trans, which is different than the 128i/328i. (slightly longer) So it took a while to get the driveshaft and trans mounting sorted out. Running clutch line, wiring, etc...it adds up. Straight 128i swap would be a bit easier though. Difficulty is 8-9/10. I have a lift....without one, its a much bigger job.

[LcossE82]

Originally Posted by cwlo

Biggest issue with the job is the back and forth with ordering parts, waiting for them to arrive, proceeding, then having to order another part. I planned everything as well as possible, but my situation was a little unique, as I used a 330i trans, which is different than the 128i/328i. (slightly longer) So it took a while to get the driveshaft and trans mounting sorted out. Running clutch line, wiring, etc...it adds up. Straight 128i swap would be a bit easier though. Difficulty is 8-9/10. I have a lift....without one, its a much bigger job.

Ahh ok. Thanks for the insight!! I'm dead set on keeping my 128i and just toying with it in auto cross and what not. Once the auto trans pops then manuals going in

[519.E82]

I too have been looking into this, on i believe E90post there's a super detailed right about it, i believe it was on the N54 though but it shows to good extent all the little parts you'll need to consider aswell

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1207505

[carscatscoffee15]

It's been done. I've spoken to a shop who has done it a couple times around where I'm from

I eventually wanna go down this route too. I got my E82 because of its low mileage

There's so much more I wanna do before I get to that point and will enjoy her as an auto for now. I have done too much and want to do much more that I know if I sold the car, I wouldn't get everything I put into it back thus my want to do this conversion

[11]

Originally Posted by LcossE82

Ahh ok. Thanks for the insight!! I'm dead set on keeping my 128i and just toying with it in auto cross and what not. Once the auto trans pops then manuals going in

Yeah I was thinking the same, but my car only has 50k miles. How long till the auto dies ya know

[LcossE82]

Originally Posted by mconrad1776

Yeah I was thinking the same, but my car only has 50k miles. How long till the auto dies ya know

I've only heard of one trans popping at 150k. But that's just one. For all I know it can go for much more 🤷🏽*♂️

[carscatscoffee15]

Originally Posted by WeShallCallHerBlau

I've done some research as I thought about this as well. Everything points to it being cheaper to buy another 128i but in manual. This will be my plan. Then I'll just take all the fun shit I did to my auto and swap it over to the manual car, then sell the auto car and recoup costs.

I have thought of this too which is why I have kept the original parts that I have swapped out. One of my rooms looks like a car part dealer shop

[NorthernDancer]

1. Find another car with the 6MT, maybe swap over a few parts if necessary, then sell your car.

2. Find exact same wrecked car with 6MT and just swap everything over. I note in realoem.com that our 6MT is also in all E90s and even E60s.

[StuMo72]

Originally Posted by cwlo

Biggest issue with the job is the back and forth with ordering parts, waiting for them to arrive, proceeding, then having to order another part. I planned everything as well as possible, but my situation was a little unique, as I used a 330i trans, which is different than the 128i/328i. (slightly longer) So it took a while to get the driveshaft and trans mounting sorted out. Running clutch line, wiring, etc...it adds up. Straight 128i swap would be a bit easier though. Difficulty is 8-9/10. I have a lift....without one, its a much bigger job.

Hi, I am doing this job just now. I have the 130i gearbox and I want to keep the 125i diff. I was wondering how you solved the propshaft mismatch, did you find a stock solution or do I need a custom one made?

[cwlo]

StuMo, Have you tried the 130i manual driveshaft? Length is correct, and could even use the rear half you currently use if the diff has different flange.

[StuMo72]

Thanks for coming back to me.

I havent yet, they scapped the car and propshaft before I got there

The pedals and lines are coming off a different 4 cyl car.

I wasnt sure if the shaft dia and splines for front section and rear section would be the same for the different styles of end shaft.

But its a good call and I will give it a shot.


I bought the car because it was a low mileage import and its like new underneath. The salt on the roads, here in Scotland, kills the underneath of our cars, so I went for this car as its fairly unique. I thought I could live with the auto but it doesnt suit the car IMHO.

I plan to do this conversion in a month or two, just gathering all the parts and studying everything I can find at the moment.

[Blau]

Originally Posted by StuMo72

Thanks for coming back to me.

I havent yet, they scapped the car and propshaft before I got there

The pedals and lines are coming off a different 4 cyl car.

I wasnt sure if the shaft dia and splines for front section and rear section would be the same for the different styles of end shaft.

But its a good call and I will give it a shot.


I bought the car because it was a low mileage import and its like new underneath. The salt on the roads, here in Scotland, kills the underneath of our cars, so I went for this car as its fairly unique. I thought I could live with the auto but it doesnt suit the car IMHO.

I plan to do this conversion in a month or two, just gathering all the parts and studying everything I can find at the moment.

Did you end up going for it?

[Blau]

Originally Posted by cwlo

Biggest issue with the job is the back and forth with ordering parts, waiting for them to arrive, proceeding, then having to order another part. I planned everything as well as possible, but my situation was a little unique, as I used a 330i trans, which is different than the 128i/328i. (slightly longer) So it took a while to get the driveshaft and trans mounting sorted out. Running clutch line, wiring, etc...it adds up. Straight 128i swap would be a bit easier though. Difficulty is 8-9/10. I have a lift....without one, its a much bigger job.

Any chance you can share your math? I'm in the same boat figuring out the drive shaft myself.

[cwlo]

It's been a while, but I remember ordering a 130i driveshaft from eBay Germany. Worked fine.

[BMWISLIFE]

Originally Posted by cwlo

Biggest issue with the job is the back and forth with ordering parts, waiting for them to arrive, proceeding, then having to order another part. I planned everything as well as possible, but my situation was a little unique, as I used a 330i trans, which is different than the 128i/328i. (slightly longer) So it took a while to get the driveshaft and trans mounting sorted out. Running clutch line, wiring, etc...it adds up. Straight 128i swap would be a bit easier though. Difficulty is 8-9/10. I have a lift....without one, its a much bigger job.

Now that being said, if I were to take a 3 to 8 manual transmission, would I be able to use my existing driveshaft? 2010 128

[Blau]

Originally Posted by BMWISLIFE

Now that being said, if I were to take a 3 to 8 manual transmission, would I be able to use my existing driveshaft? 2010 128

Unlikely but you can check real OEM for the measurements.

[eddietorresi]

Hey all, I'm looking to buy a 128i soon, but I can only find autos in my area. I'm looking to swap since it's going to be my dedicated track car, but I need help with what I should plan to get.