Swap from manual to Automatic

[irishbuilt]

I know, it sounds all wrong and backwards and it is but I'm paralyzed and it's illegal for me to drive stick in America.
Ive had two e30 verts and now I'm looking to buy an e30 is or M3 but I don't know if that swap can be done or how much it would cost and who in the San Diego/OC area is cream of the crop for that particular job. Any advice on that would be nice.
I know I can find e30 is with Auto. Anyone know of a clean one for sale please let me know.
Thanks in advance,
Irishbuilt :D

[416stroker]

E30m3 with a LSx swap with an auto would be your best bet:)

[KirkerBezerker]

The e30 m3 did not come with an automatic transmission as far as I know. So if you go the m3 route you would probably have an easier time swapping the engine and gearbox.

[tjts1]

There is no reason why the automatic transmission from any other E30 couldn't bolt up to the M3 engine.

[325ix]

The e30 m3 did not come with an automatic transmission as far as I know. So if you go the m3 route you would probably have an easier time swapping the engine and gearbox.

It didn't ever come with an auto. However, the e36 M3 did, you could swap one of those engines, the s50 or s52 and still have a decent performing car. It may even be possible to swap in an s54 with an smg, not sure about that, but you may look into it if you still want something that is somewhat like a manual. I think Castros in California is a good swap shop, I don't know where they are located though.

[LJ851]

There is no reason why the automatic transmission from any other E30 couldn't bolt up to the M3 engine.

Except all M20 has a different bolt pattern than M10/S14/ M30 , etc

[Evan12]

is there an auto version of the s14? or is the s14 motor only in the e30 m3?

[LJ851]

By far your easiest option out of the choices you listed is to buy an auto 325IS.

[LJ851]

is there an auto version of the s14? or is the s14 motor only in the e30 m3?

S14 has the same bolt pattern as M10 and M30 so any autobox for one of them would work with the appropriate flexplate.

[Evan12]

oh ok. so if you want an m3 just do a tranny swap. and i dont understand why it is illegal for the OP to drive stick in america. explanation?

[LJ851]

He said he was paralyzed ?

[tjts1]

Except all M20 has a different bolt pattern than M10/S14/ M30 , etc

Sucks to have an M20 i guess.

[Evan12]

oh, i didnt read thuroughly.

[GaryE30]

I can sell you my e36 m3 sedan auto and you can do whatever you dream up. Take it apart, install in e30... whatever you want :)

[irishbuilt]

Right, so I need to find the thread that lists all the model #s for BMW3 series cause I'm lost! I know finding a 325is auto is best solution but I'm still interested in putting an auto box in an e30 M3. Bottom line is after reading all the above posts I'd be shit scared to buy any e30 stick only to find out the swap was impossible or very expensive. Ebay has a nice "is" stick in Ramona not far from me but it's a stick! Is there a special genius on this website that I need to speak too about swaps? I really appreciate everyone's 2cents and hope to get more post on this topic and also find out who in my area can do a good swap. Thanks all...