Swap from manual to Automatic

[irishbuilt]

if you want performance and a sexy bmw, get an e46 m3 with SMG

I have looked at the Juan Pablo Montoilet inspired E46 SMG... more affordable is the 330ci but the e30 is a thing of beauty and simplicity. I'm old school and not at all a fan of modern day cars with all their sensors and bullshit. Anyone giving advice or input on the health risks of an E46 SMG would be very much appreciated.

[Cabriolet]

if you want performance and a sexy bmw, get an e46 m3 with SMG

[CorvallisBMW]

Driving a stick in Cali traffic would definitely be a lot of extra work. But then again so is trying to make any auto transmission work on an s14. You may technically be able to make it bolt up, but no wiring harness in the world exists to make it run with an s14.

By far your best bet would be a 325iS auto (there are lots of them out there, just have some patience) or an e36 M3 auto.

[nando]

I don't blame you, I was just questioning it being illegal. Maybe in Nazi-fornia :p

[irishbuilt]

huh? illegal? I know a guy paralyzed from the waist down that not only drove a manual E46 330 zhp, but he autocrossed it regularily and even changed his own wheels by himself.

but then he had a pretty trick hand control setup that let him operate the pedals with his hands.

Yes very good. I drove stick back in Ireland with servo assisted clutch and trick hand controls, rode a sidecar rig around U.S. and Canada living out of a tent, made many repairs on side of road and changed my rims/tires on my FJ last week all by myself. I don't care about it being illegal so much as I couldn't be arsed driving stick in California traffic!

[StereoInstaller1]

High RPMs and auto trannies don't mix well, causes high fluid temps, bad for trannies. If you want a fun E30, do a M50 and a small turbo tuned for low RPMs. Gentle boost on that motor would be a rocket.

[LJ851]

Another thing to consider about an e30 m3 auto swap is that the m3 S14 engine is a torqueless rev happy 4 cyl, the worst type of engine to put in front of an auto box. It would just cut the balls right off the S14. unless you are not concerned with performance..

[irishbuilt]

Generally speaking, you are better off buying an auto E30 these days. The percentage that have been ragged to death is lower.

That said, making an automatic E30 M3 isn't a great idea. First off, it would cost you a lot of money - $15-25k for the car, and $10-15k to swap in an engine that can be mated to an auto box. If I were you, I'd buy an E46 M3 with SMG or an Audi S4 for that money (or a lot less).

Appreciate that and might take a look at E46. I figured messing with e30 M3 would be costly!! Still really want another e30 though so probably focus on an auto "is"
Thanks.

[nando]

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

huh? illegal? I know a guy paralyzed from the waist down that not only drove a manual E46 330 zhp, but he autocrossed it regularily and even changed his own wheels by himself.

but then he had a pretty trick hand control setup that let him operate the pedals with his hands.

[nrubenstein]

Generally speaking, you are better off buying an auto E30 these days. The percentage that have been ragged to death is lower.

That said, making an automatic E30 M3 isn't a great idea. First off, it would cost you a lot of money - $15-25k for the car, and $10-15k to swap in an engine that can be mated to an auto box. If I were you, I'd buy an E46 M3 with SMG or an Audi S4 for that money (or a lot less).

[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...

[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 :)

[Evan12]

oh, i didnt read thuroughly.

[tjts1]

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

Sucks to have an M20 i guess.

[LJ851]

He said he was paralyzed ?