I gotta ask... Can you switch an AT transmission to a 6MT one?

[KinoBoom]

I seen this happen years ago all over the place where some people would buy bimmers with 5MT's/Standard/Manual Transmissions and some shops will convert them to AT's for them for a decent cost.
Is there such a thing these days? anyone done this?
What does it take to get it done parts wise?

Thank you for your help and participation.

[RnmEvo9]

I wouldn't try such a thing on a relatively new car. You would be better off selling the car and acquiring a manual if it is such a big hassle.

If it was older I could understand...

[KinoBoom]

Originally Posted by RnmEvo9

I wouldn't try such a thing on a relatively new car. You would be better off selling the car and acquiring a manual if it is such a big hassle.

If it was older I could understand...

I would lose a lot more than the conversion cost in selling or trading the car as I had paid quite a bit to have it certified (100K mile warranty) after I bought it. Given the car has only 10500 miles on it now. I also understand that the current tranny has a value to sell to someone out there that repairs BMW's and a 1er with much higher miles could have a good use of it.

[Focusedintntions]

Wait wait...you want to go from a manual to auto or vice versa?? Honestly unless you're planning to do swap yourself, by the time you add in the cost of the new tranny, interior pieces, pedals, brackets, cables, lines, sensors, and then add labor...you are better off trading in. I'd guess cost for this car would be in the 5 to 10k range to swap...

[BrokenVert]

It's not just a tranny swap.

The two transmissions have different diffs and you'd need to change the computer out

[KinoBoom]

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

Wait wait...you want to go from a manual to auto or vice versa?? Honestly unless you're planning to do swap yourself, by the time you add in the cost of the new tranny, interior pieces, pedals, brackets, cables, lines, sensors, and then add labor...you are better off trading in. I'd guess cost for this car would be in the 5 to 10k range to swap...

I got the labor covered. My friend is ASE certified and specializes in drivetrain. It will run me tops 650.00. I can buy parts at wholesale as well.

[KinoBoom]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

It's not just a tranny swap.

The two transmissions have different diffs and you'd need to change the computer out

This is what I needed to learn.

[moveswiftly]

Originally Posted by KinoBoom

This is what I needed to learn.

Also ECU needs to be reprogrammed. The automatic ECU controls transmission as well.

[bogart]

Not to mention a different flywheel.

[Focusedintntions]

no longer a flywheel but a torque converter...unless he's going to get a dct...

[KinoBoom]

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

no longer a flywheel but a torque converter...unless he's going to get a dct...

I want to go 6 speed MAUAL. At least it's a thought.

[GerryL]

Just changing out the pedal box itself can be a nightmare of body issues not to mention when you're done the car will be considered bastardized in terms of its used car value. Your immediate costs may be measured in the hundreds but when the dust settles it will definately be in the thousands.

[mosx]

Its going to be cheaper to trade the car. You talk about your 100k warranty but you realize if you did a transmission swap your warranty would be more than voided right?

[Lester]

Could be the best DIY ever. Please take lots of pictures.

[bogart]

[M135]

Yeah, too many issues:

-Resale value is lower unless you find an enthusiast wanting a converted car
-Warranty null and void, hell people won't even keep some simple mods on their car for stealership visits
-Pedal assembly is likely a nightmare
-Other mechanicals as mentioned already are also for consideration

There may be a chance that BMS or other tuners could help with some reprogramming for the car to work. In the end I think you basterdize the car and be out more money than you think (in current cost and future value) versus just to sell it outright and get the car you want.

[DriveHard]

It cant be done.... (well actually anything can given enough money but there are limits)

Your issue will not be the mechanicals, although it will be a mess.

the issue is the DME... you cant just swap it, or have a dealer "program" it because there is no function that the dealer sees to go from auto to manual. its not a normal, required, repair procedure.

A new "vehicle order" (VO) would have to be created by BMW engineering to encompase all of the variables... good luck with that..LOL

off the top of my head you would need the following

Manual trans,
Flywheel,
clutch parts,
diff,
dme
instrument cluster ( from the car you got the dme from)
dsc control unit
light module ( has something to do with vin )
new keys / fobs and CAS ( key slot )

+ 1000 little pieces

and now that its built.. have BMW write you, just you, new softwear ...

Like i said, it cant be done by the avergae bear...

[KinoBoom]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

It cant be done.... (well actually anything can given enough money but there are limits)

Your issue will not be the mechanicals, although it will be a mess.

the issue is the DME... you cant just swap it, or have a dealer "program" it because there is no function that the dealer sees to go from auto to manual. its not a normal, required, repair procedure.

A new "vehicle order" (VO) would have to be created by BMW engineering to encompase all of the variables... good luck with that..LOL

off the top of my head you would need the following

Manual trans,
Flywheel,
clutch parts,
diff,
dme
instrument cluster ( from the car you got the dme from)
dsc control unit
light module ( has something to do with vin )
new keys / fobs and CAS ( key slot )

+ 1000 little pieces

and now that its built.. have BMW write you, just you, new softwear ...

Like i said, it cant be done by the avergae bear...

This is enlightening. Thank you for this great info.
My whole idea is either get used to the paddle shifts or get another car

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by KinoBoom

This is enlightening. Thank you for this great info.
My whole idea is either get used to the paddle shifts or get another car

+1

look at my sig.. I could have gotten a 6MT but choose not to due to my commute every day..in 11 miles i average a top speed of 26 MPH... so i did the best i could with choices available. I not only got used to the paddl's but have found great fun in up and down shifting..

I also track this little beast, and only in a few hairpins after some straights have i wished for a manual, as i would carry too much speed into the corner and the tranny wouldnt "allow" me to grab 2nd. That was the only issue really, other wise im having a blast being the underdog with a 128 paddle shift car and beating some pretty decent machinery, including some 135's

[Aries932]

You would not void your warrenty. That is a ridiculous statement. As long as he is only using the BMW parts his warrenty will be intact. It is like putting aftermarket BMW performance parts on your car. It does not matter who installed it.

Your main issue honestly is going to be finding a BMW dealership that will be willing to reprogram the ECU.

[BrokenVert]

^um no. He pulled the transmission he replaced parts with an independent shop doing the work.

Try telling BMW NA, my transmission broke. Guess I need a new one.

Yeah that'll fly

[KinoBoom]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

^um no. He pulled the transmission he replaced parts with an independent shop doing the work.

Try telling BMW NA, my transmission broke. Guess I need a new one.

Yeah that'll fly

Called the local BMW service dept and they will only void warranty on new parts if they were not BMW OEM parts and if there was a tune otherwise all intact buddy...