is this a stupid move to do to an E30 ?

[McGyver]

how is this thread still going? OP's car isn't rare or outrageously nice to the point where it has any really collectible value beyond any other e30.

OP, if you want your car to be a manual, swap it. If you want it to stay automatic, leave it.

/thread.

[MT325is]

I had the same gamble. BUt mine was already a manual, but i ended up fixing the m20, everything new. the way it drove and ran was amazing. That m20 valve tick.
But i do regret it. I ended up spending about 2000 roughly on getting the engine running perfect, but at the end of the day i wanted something more.
So if your fine with how ever the car drives right now with the m20, then keep it. But if you think you will want more from your car, then yes swap it!
m52 turbo? s50/s52? those are always fun.
And get rid of that auto trans... asap! lol
good luck and nice find!

[808e30325i]

Ditch the auto. I did the same thing when I bought my e30 and it was a 26,000 mile 1st owner car when I did it.

[Roysneon]

just wait until your balls drop. you'll get it then. :p

[nando]

Did you take an extra Centrum Silver today? You seem extra spry today gramps.

just wait until your balls drop. you'll get it then. :p

[Roysneon]

Hopefully more people will adopt this outlook so the value of the ones that haven't had dumb shit done to them keeps going up.

Did you take an extra Centrum Silver today? You seem extra spry today gramps.

[kickinindian]

I literally just got back from the Junk yard about 2 hours ago and picked up a manual transmission, along with every needed to do the swap (Just need the pedal assembly now, going back tomorrow) I'm in it for $380 as of today's parts run and still need the clutch master and slave cylinder, I'd like to put in new parts.

I'd say its worth it because manual is more sought after, and there for you'll get more money for the car in the end.

Pics!?

[KIRIEIW]

I literally just got back from the Junk yard about 2 hours ago and picked up a manual transmission, along with every needed to do the swap (Just need the pedal assembly now, going back tomorrow) I'm in it for $380 as of today's parts run and still need the clutch master and slave cylinder, I'd like to put in new parts.

I'd say its worth it because manual is more sought after, and there for you'll get more money for the car in the end.

[ak-]

5 speed swap it / fix whatever it needs / maintenance.
Just enjoy the car man.
There is something very special about a problem free, clean body, stock e30 that will tickle your fuzzy - just enjoy it the way customers did when they drove it off the lot in the late 80's.

[helalo]

It's an is. The front spoiler was changed. I have the title as well to know it's an IS. It's not a headache :)

[Stanley Rockafella]

yes its a garage queen in perfect conditions, just needs a bit of service update. the old man that had it didnt drive much, it has 116k original miles.

so my headgasket leaks(maybe head needs to be reworked - i need to check the old invoices for the car we stored), my transmission needs a reseal, and its due for a timing belt.

doesnt' seem like much of a "garage queen" to me

Also, pic looks like an 88 325i, not an "is" (missing proper front spoiler)

OP do whatever you want. It's your headache now

[G-Man the Visionary]

lol you guys make me feel like a loser for having an auto in a cruiser vert... with an m30...

[tig welder]

Great value but how you gonna drive that thing on its side?

5 speed swap without a Q.

[Hooffenstein HD]

Anybody that thinks it's a bad idea to convert a slush box auto to a proper manual transmission can pretty much be disregarded entirely on any topic ever.

[Kevinl]

No E30 deserves to be an automatic I had a Black 1990 325i that was an auto I hated it the Zf 4hp22 is slow as crap off the line and wants to upshift early unless you keep it floored all the time. I got rid of it because I was to busy to swap it at the time