Automatic to Manual...ever been done?

pope335i · 12-02-2010, 03:36 AM

Hey there I'm new to this forum but have had an automatic e90 335 for a while now and am wondering if anyone has ever converted their auto e90 to a manual? Just curious if this has ever been done and wondering how much this would all cost. Thanks much.

gnhm3 · 12-02-2010, 03:49 AM

I don't know if it's been done or not but selling your car and buying the same car with a manual would be cheaper 100%.

lpphreakx06 · 12-02-2010, 04:19 AM

Nope, for good reason

xxp0loxx · 12-02-2010, 04:26 AM

def easier to sell and buy, can get manuals cheaper anyways

ThreeseriesFTW · 12-02-2010, 05:53 AM

While you're debating the pros and cons of a manual, go check out the quarter mile times for automatics vs manuals. Stock-for-stock, the automatics are usually faster by about .7 and 1.0 seconds.

(there's a sticky thread somewhere in the forum that has a collection of posted times)

vasillalov · 12-02-2010, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corb

While you're debating the pros and cons of a manual, go check out the quarter mile times for automatics vs manuals. Stock-for-stock, the automatics are usually faster by about .7 and 1.0 seconds.

Wooo hoo! 1 second faster at best. Gives you enough time to do 1/3 of a slurp from your half gallon bucket of soda in your cup holder.

There is nothing like the pleasure of rowing your own gears. Allow me to demonstrate:

OP, sell the car and get a manual. Replacing the transmission will be a nightmare unless you can cannibalize a crashed car and you own a shop. Even then it is going to be one hell of a project...

LeMans335xiE90 · 12-02-2010, 07:32 AM

agree with every vasillalov said.... also pretty sure manual 335 was a hair quicker than auto....

themyst · 12-02-2010, 07:34 AM

for straight line acceleration, the auto is superior to the manual. If you want more control, go with a manual. I had a 6MT 135i, and now a 335i 6AT. Love the change, no regrets.

Bme30 · 12-02-2010, 09:11 AM

this is silly

tscdennab · 12-02-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themyst

for straight line acceleration, the auto is superior to the manual.

On BMW web site on 0-60 times:

Manual trans. 335i: 5.4s
Automatic trans. 335i: 5.6s

tofu- · 12-02-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pope335i

Hey there I'm new to this forum but have had an automatic e90 335 for a while now and am wondering if anyone has ever converted their auto e90 to a manual? Just curious if this has ever been done and wondering how much this would all cost. Thanks much.

may as well sell your car and buy a used m3

Dackz · 12-02-2010, 11:27 AM

I know it was done on some 4th gen maxima's before, I used to own a 99 5spd maxima. There were some that dropped their auto out and put the manual in and had to get a new ECU for it. So yea, it can be done, but its not worth it IMO money wise. No idea what the cost was on those but I know it wasnt easy or cheap.

Sell yours and find a comparable 6spd will be much cheaper/easier.

bigdog34uz · 12-02-2010, 11:33 AM

Sell and buy a new Manual. That is going to be very expensive. Honda's were alot easier to do that with.

Bavarian Tech · 12-02-2010, 11:39 AM

I did an Auto to Manual swap on my B5 Passat, its completely different than an E90 but anything is possible for enough $$. From just looking on parts catalogs the big main things you would need. I would imagine coding be one of the big issues.

-Driveshalf is different between the two
-Rear Diff is different
-Engine/Tranny Support Is Different

Actual Supplies
-Actual manual tranny
-Clutch/Flywheel
-Misc Clutch hoses
-Shift Linkage
-Pedals

Here's a thread I posted, when I did my swap on my passat :-)
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=308327

GaryS · 12-02-2010, 01:02 PM

I remember seeing some kind of 3 series at At Speed Motorsports that was there for conversion from AT to MT, but I can't remember if it was E90 or E46.

But I agree it is probably better to just buy another car.

sti917 · 12-15-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Wooo hoo! 1 second faster at best. Gives you enough time to do 1/3 of a slurp from your half gallon bucket of soda in your cup holder.

There is nothing like the pleasure of rowing your own gears. Allow me to demonstrate:

OP, sell the car and get a manual. Replacing the transmission will be a nightmare unless you can cannibalize a crashed car and you own a shop. Even then it is going to be one hell of a project...

OLD JUNKS.... SHOW ME THE FEET OF A FORMULA 1 DRIVER WITH A MODERN FI CAR...YOU GUYS ARE STUCK IN THE 80'S!!!

davedave1234 · 12-15-2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Wooo hoo! 1 second faster at best. Gives you enough time to do 1/3 of a slurp from your half gallon bucket of soda in your cup holder.

I agree with this guy. I bought a sports car for the fun of driving, not to be the fastest. I get bored driving auto in about 10 minutes. But I would think selling/buying would be best option as well.

WilliamE92 · 12-15-2010, 12:58 PM

6AT driver here, I regret not getting the 6MT.

If you care about 1/4 mile times and stop light races, then go with the AT I suppose.

However, if you want a fun, quick DD which keeps you interested then the MT is the way to go.

Plus, once you get good with the MT the acceleration difference is negligible.

Penn999 · 12-15-2010, 01:01 PM

I was actually told that the manual was faster(if driven properly). I believe shiv or robert told me that as well. I wonder what that 11.5x was that they have recorded in his sig.?? AT is more consistent. DCT is a whole different story, as technology has surpassed human capabilities. I agree with the two above tho, you will never has as much "feel" in an AT than a MT. Plus like ive said b4, what they make up for in shift times, i make up in the power department. Ask clap135 if an AT is faster than a MT

Yogi335 · 12-16-2010, 07:38 PM

Wish i would have gotten a manual too, but got an auto for the wife...It is one hell of an auto though, fairly fun to drive and i guess it is easier in traffic. Oh well, theres always the next car to switch again.

themyst · 12-16-2010, 07:42 PM

Considering manuals are harder to sell off the lot, I would say you're better off just finding a 6MT with similar options/color and trading in. I bet you won't lose much if at all.

chenx15 · 12-16-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themyst

Considering manuals are harder to sell off the lot, I would say you're better off just finding a 6MT with similar options/color and trading in. I bet you won't lose much if at all.

i tried this but the dealer actually tried to charge me 8000 dollars more to do the trade and my car was more loaded than the one on the lot

12-02-2010, 03:36 AM	#1
pope335i Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 297 Posts Drives: Alpine White e90 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South San Francisco, CA iTrader: (2)	Automatic to Manual...ever been done? Hey there I'm new to this forum but have had an automatic e90 335 for a while now and am wondering if anyone has ever converted their auto e90 to a manual? Just curious if this has ever been done and wondering how much this would all cost. Thanks much.
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12-02-2010, 03:49 AM	#2
gnhm3 Lieutenant Colonel 219 Rep 1,804 Posts Drives: F82 M4 / F87 M2 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: West LA iTrader: (19)	I don't know if it's been done or not but selling your car and buying the same car with a manual would be cheaper 100%. __________________
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12-02-2010, 04:19 AM	#3
lpphreakx06 Professional Moose Racer 316 Rep 7,509 Posts Drives: SG 335i E92 RIP + 2015 SS M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (25)	Nope, for good reason __________________ Visit my blog anytime: http://www.sfpayments.com BMW Dream Team PNW Chapter, member #1 \|HP Autowerks \| AR DESIGN \| BMW PERFORMANCE \| STOP TECH \| Volk Racing\| AMS \| ARKYM
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12-02-2010, 04:26 AM	#4
xxp0loxx Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 254 Posts Drives: e92 Space Gray ACS Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Germany iTrader: (2)	def easier to sell and buy, can get manuals cheaper anyways __________________
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12-02-2010, 05:53 AM	#5
ThreeseriesFTW Private First Class 15 Rep 194 Posts Drives: 335 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California iTrader: (3)	While you're debating the pros and cons of a manual, go check out the quarter mile times for automatics vs manuals. Stock-for-stock, the automatics are usually faster by about .7 and 1.0 seconds. (there's a sticky thread somewhere in the forum that has a collection of posted times)
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12-02-2010, 07:32 AM	#7
LeMans335xiE90 +7,033 posts ;) 429 Rep 40,237 Posts Drives: 09 E90 LCI LeMans Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Nu Jersey iTrader: (12)	agree with every vasillalov said.... also pretty sure manual 335 was a hair quicker than auto.... __________________ E90 LCI ///OSS Angel Eyes GB
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12-02-2010, 07:34 AM	#8
themyst Major General 178 Rep 6,631 Posts Drives: '16 MK7 GTI Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (8)	for straight line acceleration, the auto is superior to the manual. If you want more control, go with a manual. I had a 6MT 135i, and now a 335i 6AT. Love the change, no regrets. __________________ E90 LCI N54 6AT
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12-02-2010, 09:11 AM	#9
Bme30 Major 88 Rep 1,039 Posts Drives: 335i coupe Join Date: May 2010 Location: 'Merika' iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	this is silly
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12-02-2010, 11:27 AM	#12
Dackz Hates Speed Limits 113 Rep 2,589 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northern CO iTrader: (4)	I know it was done on some 4th gen maxima's before, I used to own a 99 5spd maxima. There were some that dropped their auto out and put the manual in and had to get a new ECU for it. So yea, it can be done, but its not worth it IMO money wise. No idea what the cost was on those but I know it wasnt easy or cheap. Sell yours and find a comparable 6spd will be much cheaper/easier.
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12-02-2010, 11:33 AM	#13
bigdog34uz Major 90 Rep 1,279 Posts Drives: 2007 e90 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: VA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2012 bmw n55 335i [0.00]	Sell and buy a new Manual. That is going to be very expensive. Honda's were alot easier to do that with. __________________ 13.01 @ 107.6mph Mods: OETuning........ 13.00 @ 108.89 JB4 Times
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12-02-2010, 11:39 AM	#14
Bavarian Tech Major 269 Rep 1,203 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pittsburgh/Harrisburg iTrader: (15) Garage List 2006 330i [10.00]	I did an Auto to Manual swap on my B5 Passat, its completely different than an E90 but anything is possible for enough $$. From just looking on parts catalogs the big main things you would need. I would imagine coding be one of the big issues. -Driveshalf is different between the two -Rear Diff is different -Engine/Tranny Support Is Different Actual Supplies -Actual manual tranny -Clutch/Flywheel -Misc Clutch hoses -Shift Linkage -Pedals Here's a thread I posted, when I did my swap on my passat :-) http://www.passatworld.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=308327
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12-02-2010, 01:02 PM	#15
GaryS Colonel 37 Rep 2,084 Posts Drives: 2009 135i 6MT Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 135i [6.50]	I remember seeing some kind of 3 series at At Speed Motorsports that was there for conversion from AT to MT, but I can't remember if it was E90 or E46. But I agree it is probably better to just buy another car.
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12-15-2010, 12:58 PM	#18
WilliamE92 First Lieutenant 21 Rep 318 Posts Drives: 2013 EB F30 335 MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	6AT driver here, I regret not getting the 6MT. If you care about 1/4 mile times and stop light races, then go with the AT I suppose. However, if you want a fun, quick DD which keeps you interested then the MT is the way to go. Plus, once you get good with the MT the acceleration difference is negligible.
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12-15-2010, 01:01 PM	#19
Penn999 Lieutenant Colonel 50 Rep 1,661 Posts Drives: 335i coupe Join Date: May 2010 Location: VA iTrader: (3)	I was actually told that the manual was faster(if driven properly). I believe shiv or robert told me that as well. I wonder what that 11.5x was that they have recorded in his sig.?? AT is more consistent. DCT is a whole different story, as technology has surpassed human capabilities. I agree with the two above tho, you will never has as much "feel" in an AT than a MT. Plus like ive said b4, what they make up for in shift times, i make up in the power department. Ask clap135 if an AT is faster than a MT __________________ 07' MT, Quaife LSD, BMW Performance LED Steering Wheel, HPF FMIC, AA BOV, HPF Exhaust, DCI, Procede V5, AR Stage 1 oil cooler, AR OCC, AR CL DP's, Vishnu Meth Kit, UUC SSK+DSSR, UUC Shift knob, (19 inch)VMR V715's/Yokohama Advan AD08's, Hartge Pedals and Floor Mats. Awaiting Install: M3 Rear Subframe Bushings, Full M3 suspension bits, AST 4100's, DSS axles. Future plans: Vishnu Single turbo kit
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12-16-2010, 07:38 PM	#20
Yogi335 Private 7 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	Wish i would have gotten a manual too, but got an auto for the wife...It is one hell of an auto though, fairly fun to drive and i guess it is easier in traffic. Oh well, theres always the next car to switch again. __________________ 2010 BSM/Saddle E90 335i (M Sport +more) 2006 Vette Z06 (Shifter, Thats it and thats all man) 2001 Honda CBR600F4i Past Cars: 03 Stg 2 WRX, 05 Stg 2 92x, 06 IS350, 86 Vette, 05 Vette, 07 Jeep SRT8, 10 Camaro SS
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12-16-2010, 07:42 PM	#21
themyst Major General 178 Rep 6,631 Posts Drives: '16 MK7 GTI Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (8)	Considering manuals are harder to sell off the lot, I would say you're better off just finding a 6MT with similar options/color and trading in. I bet you won't lose much if at all.
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