[GenXer]

I know someone who swapped an SMG for MT on his E46 but haven't heard any MT swap on an F series yet.

[jh_f30]

Originally Posted by GenXer

I know someone who swapped an SMG for MT on his E46 but haven't heard any MT swap on an F series yet.

AFAIK, SMG to full manual on the E46 M3 is not that big of a deal because the SMG is actually a manual gearbox underneath...basically just have to delete the electronic stuff and fit a clutch/shift lever, I think. Plus, it makes some sense in that SMGs sell for substantially less than manual E46 M3s, so you might actually SAVE money going that route. ZF is a slushbox auto so the whole transmission would have to be swapped. That plus all the control modules and coding that would have to be sorted out makes this a foolish proposition.

Parts, labor, and time without the car...it makes WAY more sense to sell the auto and buy a manual.

[2000Z3M]

Originally Posted by jh_f30

AFAIK, SMG to full manual on the E46 M3 is not that big of a deal because the SMG is actually a manual gearbox underneath...basically just have to delete the electronic stuff and fit a clutch/shift lever, I think. Plus, it makes some sense in that SMGs sell for substantially less than manual E46 M3s, so you might actually SAVE money going that route. ZF is a slushbox auto so the whole transmission would have to be swapped. That plus all the control modules and coding that would have to be sorted out makes this a foolish proposition.

Parts, labor, and time without the car...it makes WAY more sense to sell the auto and buy a manual.

you need a new trans on the e46 m3 manual swap too.

I think you can do a manual swap for cheap in the f30/2 for like 5k or so. the codes are in the ECU for a manual.

[Michael340i]

Or try a F30 with the ZF8, it is so much better than the old autos, you will be very surprised by it. I drive my auto in manual most of the time and its brilliant.

I have a BMW 340i auto and an Aston Martin Vantage manual, and I can't think why the manual is reckoned to be better, it changes much slower, has less gears, downchanges do sound better in the manual, but upchanges sound better in the auto. I hate the term 'gamechanger', but I think the game changed when ZF brought out that gearbox.

Can someone explain why a traditional manual is better than the ZF8?

[Gen13 F36]

Just going to say.... it's your money and you can do whatever you want with it.

(That's sound like that advertisement form JG Wentworth)🤣

[ndx6spd]

I feel like these questions should include their budget.

Can it be done? Sure. Can it be done under $X? Nah.

[xfrieddoughx]

Originally Posted by 2000Z3M

you need a new trans on the e46 m3 manual swap too.

I think you can do a manual swap for cheap in the f30/2 for like 5k or so. the codes are in the ECU for a manual.

What do you mean codes are in the ecu for manual? So what would I have to do to code the ecu to let it know it's manual transmission?

[xfrieddoughx]

Originally Posted by ndx6spd

I feel like these questions should include their budget.

Can it be done? Sure. Can it be done under $X? Nah.

It doesn't bother me as much as price I can have ALL parts supplied with a parts car I just need to know if it could be done but it seems if I do this I will be the first ever f30 to do a Manual swap.I just wonder if there is any bloody good coders out there cause I can have it all installed just a matter of finding someone who can do the coding as I don't wanna mess anything up.And I would most likely get the transmission and axle etc from a parts f30 car that's MT.

And having manual gives it that true sports car feeling it keeps you connected with the road and the car.Makes you feel in control not automatic.Thats boring and doesn't give the same feeling.

[Eddien123]

Most of the 340 manuals I came across when I was looking where white with red interior... so I don't know what you're issue with finding that spec is.

[5mall5nail5]

Originally Posted by 2000Z3M

you need a new trans on the e46 m3 manual swap too.

No - to go from an SMG to MT E46 M3 you just remove the SMG electronics and add the clutch hydraulics/slave cylinder.

[zinner]

There is no market to convert an F30 to a manual. E46 maybe but people build those into club racers and track cars. No one is going that to the F30 yet (in the same scale.)

[Londoner]

Originally Posted by Michael340i

Or try a F30 with the ZF8, it is so much better than the old autos, you will be very surprised by it. I drive my auto in manual most of the time and its brilliant.

I have a BMW 340i auto and an Aston Martin Vantage manual, and I can't think why the manual is reckoned to be better, it changes much slower, has less gears, downchanges do sound better in the manual, but upchanges sound better in the auto. I hate the term 'gamechanger', but I think the game changed when ZF brought out that gearbox.

Can someone explain why a traditional manual is better than the ZF8?

So true.

Still sometimes miss my E92 manual box but the ZF8 is such a transmission, really has to be test driven.
You also should read the reviews - the 6 speed manual is seemingy a disappointment to most - it's clunky and the rev matching thing on the F30 annoys the hell out of some people.

This car was designed for the auto box unfortunately, imo not worth paying over the odds for one.

[MacklinUSOB]

For those in doubt about whether or not the MT is as good as previous generation cars, it's the same GS6-17BG Getrag used since the e46 days with increased torque capacity. The 335 transmission was carried over from the e90. The autos are a lot better, the manuals are as good as they have ever been.

[zamboni]

Just get the MT to begin with, it's not worth the trouble to do a swap.

[deviantspeed]

Originally Posted by 2000Z3M

it is doable, about 12k right now
https://www.autoblog.com/2019/08/13/...on-conversion/

Has that swap been completed?

I know the VAG line-up had different crankshafts where you could not physically mate up a manual onto an auto engine.

OP, keep us posted 5 years down the road.

[neonnblack]

Originally Posted by deviantspeed

Has that swap been completed?

I know the VAG line-up had different crankshafts where you could not physically mate up a manual onto an auto engine.

OP, keep us posted 5 years down the road.

The first test drive happened today or yesterday.

There is no comparison between the auto and manual. The auto will be far superior, going from a mt f30 335 to an auto f30 340 i was an idiot for hunting a manual. With the (deletable) cdv, auto rev match and long throw, there is no " being more connected" with it. And then you can get the auto trans tuned and its even better again.

[MacklinUSOB]

Originally Posted by neonnblack

The first test drive happened today or yesterday.

There is no comparison between the auto and manual. The auto will be far superior, going from a mt f30 335 to an auto f30 340 i was an idiot for hunting a manual. With the (deletable) cdv, auto rev match and long throw, there is no " being more connected" with it. And then you can get the auto trans tuned and its even better again.

I feel like such an idiot, thanks.

[pkiledj]

Originally Posted by neonnblack

The first test drive happened today or yesterday.

There is no comparison between the auto and manual. The auto will be far superior, going from a mt f30 335 to an auto f30 340 i was an idiot for hunting a manual. With the (deletable) cdv, auto rev match and long throw, there is no " being more connected" with it. And then you can get the auto trans tuned and its even better again.

Auto rev match? I have a 2015 335i xdrive 6MT. How does the auto rev match work?

By the way, with the CDV removed, ultimate clutch pedal, and lots of clutch stop spacers the clutch throw is down to half of what it was stock. Just ordered a raceseng shift knob to try to cut down on shifter throw. Overall I'm happy with the car.

[neonnblack]

Rev match is with the lci 340

[MacklinUSOB]

Originally Posted by neonnblack

Rev match is with the lci 340

I'm glad mine doesn't have it, but I would turn it on if someone else was driving.

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by xfrieddoughx

Well..F30 M Sport Red guts but auto.Change my mind?

Dont do it. Just keep searching for the right 6MT, or consider the car as an auto with paddle shifters, which is what I did for the f36 gran coupe. Good luck

[pkiledj]

The 6MTs seem to not be rare at all. There is always a couple listed in the classifieds section of this forum....which is where I wish I looked before I bought mine.