how much to convert from auto to manual?

[brettski]

hi guys well im still looking for a motorsport convertible but they are all bloody autos!! how much do you reckon its going to cost me to do a conversion has anyone had it done and if so how much did it cost and where did you get it done i live in stafford in the midlands so anywhere pretty local would be good thanks!!

[MONSPORT42]

Just a thought. Would it not be cheaper to source a manual convertable and up-spec it to motorsport? Motorsport hold a premium (£1000-1500) only if they are kept standard - the moment you make it manual it will lose that and be worth less plus there's the cost of changing to a manual too. Motorsport extras come up on the 'for sale' forum and lots of bits are still readily availble at the dealers.
Cheapest way to change to manual is to find a donor car and strip the bits. You'll need the gearbox and mounts - normal 5 speed or close ratio sport. (not sure about prop shaft) Fly wheel and centre spiggot, clutch assembly, cluth master and slave cylinders and all pipes, manual pedal box assembly, gearstick interior trim assmbly and gaiter.
Most people only do this when the autobox is knackered but you might be able to get a few bob for the EH switchable if it's in good knick.

[MONSPORT42]

Just spotted a manual motorsport being advertised on the BMWCar classified websight
http://www.bmwcarshowroom.com/

[brettski]

hi mate yea i've seen it but 142000 miles put me off a bit!! i don't think it would make the car lose money i would like one with a manual box from new but its just fustrating waiting for the right car to come up i've seen a really nice motorsport which looks mint and is very low mileage for the year its cheaper than that one as well but its an auto and i know i just would'nt be happy with it.

[cecotto147]

Its not to difficult to swap auto to manula, a days work.
I wouldn't let 142000 miles put me off a manual car though.
Its nothing for a lazy 6 tp cover and if it has been looked after as that one seems to have been the it will do the same mileage again with no worries.
I would be more worried about a low mileage car that hasn't been used and so will go wrong when it is used, perishing rubber, seals go in engines when they dry out etc.
A used car will have all these things eplaced or ewll lubricated so will be better in that respect.
My M3 Cecotto had over 210000 kms on it, the bloke who bought it came for it from portugal and said it was the best car he had seen in 5 years of looking as it had everything done to it when t needed it. The bosy was all sound, no rust at all because it was never sitting around. It was kept outside and used every day, i did 40000 miles in it in 4 years of ownership and it was better than the other low milers i have seen since.
142000 miles on that cab is still less than 10k a year, which means services done yearly and any probs identified quickly rather than developing unseen into bigger problems.
Don't let miles put you off. Low milers are over rtaed imho.

[Brianmoooore]

If it says Ford or Peugot or whatever on the back of the car, then 142,000 miles is high mileage, but 142,000 on a BMW is just nicely run in, assuming proper servicing.
More trouble free mileage left in this, than there is in most "ordinary" cars when they're brand new.

[Quaser]

i have converted my motorsport to a manual and have not looked back since.

I dont think that it will loose the car money - if anything it will make the car more desirable as cabs are quite rare as a manual!

80% i have seen are autos.

I am currently breaking an manual touring and can supply most of the parts required to convert to a manual if you want!

Q

[brettski]

cheers mate i'll keep it in mind where did you get yours converted and how much did it cost you? thanks!

[Quaser]

I had it done as part of my engine rebuild -

parts used were:
gearbox
prop shaft
fluid resovior and bracket
3 differnet hoses / connections
pedal box
flywheel
gearbox mounts & brackets
slave cylinder
clutch master cylinder
gear leaver
rubber boot
gear gaitor and gear knob

used following new parts:
clutch
spigot bearing
flywheel bolts

changing the gearbox over should not cost much more then a clutch change. the hoses clip up easy enough - and pedal box is a pain but only about 10 bolts in total! I'd expect it to be around £200 - £300 labour total!

Q

[brettski]

cheers mate thats good news i'd better go to a few garages and get some quotes thanks!!