328is

[bhutch80]

So my parents bought me a 97 328is with around 90k miles on it and i love it the only problem is it is automatic i was just wondering (and i searched the forums and couldnt find anything on this) how hard it would be to swap it for manual. I learned how to drive with a manual and i miss it but i do not want to get rid of this car.

thanks

[Ollie1662]

Sell it before you put any money into it and buy a manual car. Seriously, this is your best option. This is also why you don't let your parents pick out your car but hey atleast they bought it for you.

[bhutch80]

i dont really have that option though ive already talked to them about it plus its in like perfect condition like i havent seen a car this nice that is over 5 years old and its over ten

[EUROtrash4zewin]

make this car your daily nice car and get your self a 5 speed e30 project, i hear all the cool kids are doing it :buttrock

[DarkPhantom]

Like aforementioned, sell it and get a manual car. The amount of money you'll spend attempting to swap the tranny plus the labor/time/etc....will probably let you buy another car and keep the one you have!

[02325]

not worth the swap

[frey328is]

even though i hate auto i have to agree with the others its not worth it....there is a ton involved in a swap that you dont think about at first

and even if you do the swap its never going to be as good as a manual from the factory...you would probably have problems with it all the time

id keep this car and make sure your next car is a manual if you cant sell it

[Smark]

If its as clean as you say it is, It is NOT worth trying to modify it and possibly have something go wrong. I would say enjoy the car for what it is. There will always be cars being bought and sold. And im sure if you look good enough you can find a manual car for a really good price and modify that to no end.

[M62pwrdE38]

You might want to ask your parents if they'd even let you do that to their car.

[Smark]

lol.. truth im with this guy ^^^

[DrewDude320i]

You might want to ask your parents if they'd even let you do that to their car.

+1.

Chances are you'd end up messing up the car. Just drive the auto, and buy a stick shift car when you have enough money.

[LAWLence]

Ehh. Don't listen to these guys. The knowledge you'll gain from doing a swap will be invaluable for the rest of your DIYing life. Think of it as paying for experience.

If you have the money, by all means do it.

[BimmerBoy740I]

You might want to ask your parents if they'd even let you do that to their car.
I think his parents gave him the car. Whether he bought it himself or it was a present, it is still his...

[2000mkoop]

keep in mind what thats' going to do to the value of your car too. You describe it as being quite a creampuff, but if you hack it up and toss a manual in it, it's gonna be worth squat. (not relevant if you plan on keeping the car forever i suppose) Sell it or wait