I might convert my Auto 1986 318i to a Manual.

[The München Monster]

So i've bidded on a manual convert kit for a M10B18 engine, a bit harder to find (The kit), In new zealand i believe. I need to know, was this a good idea? I think i will get bored of Auto quite soon. Ive heard manual is much more fun and honestly i cant feel like im really driving my E30 until its manual. The kit is $500 currently and i have a reliable friend who will convert it with me, so no pricey mechanic costs.

I just want input, is a manual convert worth it? Will i regret it? Will it mess up my car?

[ak-]

u wot m8?


Of course you will not regret it!

[The München Monster]

I hope not man. Will take some getting used to though. Any tips for driving manual?

[shameson]

I hope not man. Will take some getting used to though. Any tips for driving manual?

Driving a manual e30 is 100x times than an autotragic one, almost no comparison. Better connection between you and the car. Besides, autotragics are frowned upon and gives the car better value in the e30 market.

If you've never driven stick before, it's not too hard to pick up. Just practice on your street or in a parking lot your first time to get used to it. Then just put yourself on the street which kinda forces you to get it right. Have someone with you that drives stick to give you pointers and tips and tell you what you're doing wrong/right. It's all about being conscious of having to work the clutch and shift and using the two together smoothly and often. It's a lot more work and definitely not for a lazy driver.

Hope this helps!

[mikeedler]

go find a friend with an old toyota or some crap like that to practice on.

Being that your car is an M10, I still think it won't be a ton of fun, but it will def. make it better to drive. find a complete manual M42 to swap into that bad boy, I hear they are the best and most advanced motors ever built.

[nick123]

I would definitely do it. Hows New Zealand?

[lolcantturn]

u wot m8?

[Dozyproductions]

Engage your parking break with the car on while on an inclined hill. Now push in the clutch pedal and engage into a gear while still holding that clutch pedal with your foot. Now slowly lift the clutch pedal until your car will give you signs of stalling/fucking up. That is your engage/disengage point of when you should shift. Now practice giving gas the closer you get to that point with an inverse motion. Just as much as you're letting off the clutch put that much pressure onto the gas pedal. If you practice that up that hill, you can do anything!

[e30construction]

great idea of learning on a hill..ive seen so many new ppl to manual driving become a nervous wreck do to being stuck in traffic on a hill fearing they will back into the next person

[The München Monster]

Yeah I live in New Zealand and its really hilly so im nervous about it. Sadly my dad drives a Honda CR-V Automatic (I know) so no one in my family has a manual car, will have to get a friend to teach me. I've tried to learn manual before, in my Mom's old Beetle Turbo S, but the cambelt snapped and tore up the engine so i havent touched a manual since haha.

[The München Monster]

I would definitely do it. Hows New Zealand?

NZ is good! Its pretty much fall here. Cold in the morning, hot when the sun comes up, typical nz weather hahaha. Nah still great as ever.

[YosemiteSam]

Another good trick to learn your clutch is to drive around a parking lot without using the gas. Just keep starting and stopping on the idle. Once you can start the car moving quickly without any shuddering you will have pretty good technique.

[jeffnhiscars]

I converted my M10 from an auto to a 5spd and its night and day. An M10 with a 3sp Auto trans is..well...I dont want to offend anyone :-)

Just glad I did it

[10Toes]

Considering how slow a M10 is with a 5 speed I could only imagine how slow it is with the auto. This swap will make the car a lot more fun to drive.

[Balkanac]

might be easier to sell it and get another one that's already a manual. I have converted a 635csi and its not easy at all, but i suspect a 318 would be much easier to do.