Can you turn an automatic BMW into a manual car ?

Asked by RickyAR Jan 11, 2015 at 09:09 PM about the 2011 BMW 3 Series 328i Sedan RWD

Question type: Car Customization

Ive been thinking on doing some
modification to my bmw but im not sure if I
can since its an automatic and ive asked
some people some say yea some say no. I
like my car standard but ill love it with more
power n speed.

5 Answers

11,065

To put a manual transmission you'd have to... at least take off the flex plate off the back of the crankshaft and install a flywheel so the clutch assembly could hook to.

3 people found this helpful.
103,215

You might be better off selling the automatic and buying the manual car you want. The conversion is possible though, but very costly, and your wiring harness and computer will be all wrong. You would have to swap out the wiring harness, computer, add a manual flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, and in particular the thrust bearing (big difference between manuals and automatics), the crossmember, tailshaft or at least yoke to match manual spline, driveshaft... then there is the electronics (instrument cluster, speedometer cable/gear/speed sensors etc.), then modify the center console for the shifter... You would destroy the resale value of the car to say the least. So is it possible? Yea of course, anything is possible with enough money and labor. Is it worth it? No. Sell it and buy a manual.

3 people found this helpful.
425

WTF, on a 2011? Better off selling/ trading it in and buying a manual drive vehicle.

1 people found this helpful.
40

It depends on the year ,I have a 1998 BMW 318I 1.9 liter dohc 5 speed manual which of course only has 4 cylinders so why modify when not built for speed but to last forever if u take care of ur engine .pull your engine out and rebuilt it from inside out so it will never be mocked but cared for you know .whatever my engine gives me I'll stay with it cause modifications drop value in the engine for sure .

1 people found this helpful.
40

Yes ytlas I know that but decrease in value taking out originality

1 people found this helpful.

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