528i convert from automatic to stick. Is it possible?

[tivic]

:mad111:

Hi guys...
I am trying to add some more kick to my 528i. It's a 98 and it's automatic. Now I've seen that the car is not that fast when it comes to pickup. Some friends told me that I should change the tranny and make it a stick and also replace some factory chip to add some more HPs.
Now, my question to youis:.... can this be done? ( I would assume is doable, anything is doable), but how much a change like this could cost, and isit worth it? Would I have any problems after the change?
Any response would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
:madnoel: :pullover

[525iT_Feen]

It is possible but it would be much easier to trade it for a stickshift e39.

I just don't see it making sense, since your car is still stock, it would just be easier to trade.

:dunno
It will probably cost you more to do a tranny swap.

[Skipper5]

i agree entirely with olek. trade in and buy a stick if you want more power. better yet, trade in the 528 and buy a 540. this is the most cost effective way to add more power to the 528 :D have fun

[tivic]

I appreciate your thoughts guys, but if I trade it in, I won't get my money back. Ussualy the dealers rippyou off when it come to trade in. They give you almost half of value. Am I right? Then, what kind of 540 can I get for that money, even if I can come up with an extra 5 grand let's say?

[Chazz]

Tivic, Sell yours outright to someone else and buy this one!

I wish this car would have been around 4 weeks ago when I bought mine. However, i'm still kicking myself for not holding off for a 540.

Tivic, have you ever had a chance to drive a 540? The reason I ask is because I would like to make my 528 faster as well, but I don't see any reason to dump all kinds of cash into something that is just going to get owned by some stock Mustang or another 540 or a whole list of other stock cars. If you really want performance sell your and buy a 540. I had a 94 540 about a year ago ( It was stolen ) and I have no idea why I didn't hold out for another one. I thought at the time I bought my current one I was getting a good deal and I didn't really care that it was going to be slower. So now that I have it, although I like the way it looks a lot more than my old one, I just don't get any excitement driving it.


Buy this. (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193668)

[Kudo540]

I did this conversion with my M3 auto, cost about $2000 in parts (used) and $1000 in labor. You might as well get a M3 tranny because there are ton for sale. The price could increase if you want to add a lighten flywheels and a better clutch.

Good luck
Mario

[tivic]

Chazz.......I have my car listed for sale, and I am waiting for someone to make me an offer.
If I sell the car and your is still available and will surely contact you.
Mine is a 98, with 90k PA miles on it, and it has a NAV (haven't seen any around like that and I have an extra NAV screen for spare). 1 extra option - heated steering wheel. Anyone interested?

[tivic]

Kudo540....Did I understand you correctly? I can put an M3 manual tranny on my 528i? How much can that cost me?

[Kudo540]

Kudo540....Did I understand you correctly? I can put an M3 manual tranny on my 528i? How much can that cost me?

I have seen it done before, I believe it is a plug and play. It would just be easier to find an M3 tranny than a 528 manual (there just aren't that many). Plus the M3 tranny is bulletproof.

[Raff]

It has been done. Charles Yeh put it on his 528. Along with his M3 tanny, he put in an 99 M3 turbo charge motor. His car was in Performance BMW.

raff

[525iT_Feen]

It has been done. Charles Yeh put it on his 528. Along with his M3 tanny, he put in an 99 M3 turbo charge motor. His car was in Performance BMW.

raff
You can contact him via PM. His username is SC5-Charles.

[homerjsimpson]

I think the gains you get from switching out the tranny are pretty limited. I know its not an easy/cheap upgrade, but 528 to 540 or even 530 seems to make the most sense. I guess it all depends on how much you get for your car. How much did you list it for?

[italpasta]

Speaking of converting Auto to stick....I own a 94 540i auto. Is it possible to convert that to a 5 or 6 speed? If so, what trannies could I use? Could I use an E39's? E36's? etc..

Thanks for the info

[525iT_Feen]

Speaking of converting Auto to stick....I own a 94 540i auto. Is it possible to convert that to a 5 or 6 speed? If so, what trannies could I use? Could I use an E39's? E36's? etc..

Thanks for the info
Yes, we to can use e36 M3 trannys.

It's the best bet....

I see that your really interested in doing this swap as apposed to trading the car so i would say to get a 6spd from a e36 m3.

Like everyone else said, from what i know there bullet proof.

[italpasta]

Thanks Feen for the help!

[Raff]

Wow 6spd sound really nice to have. I also may look into that.
Now, are the 6spd tranny going to cost about the same as doing the 5spd?

raff

[525iT_Feen]

Wow 6spd sound really nice to have. I also may look into that.
Now, are the 6spd tranny going to cost about the same as doing the 5spd?

raff
Honestly i don't thing there THAT much more, but i'm not possitive.

you would just have to search the web for them, their are alot for sale.

[tivic]

Given all the options that the car is equiped with (I guess the Navi makes all the difference) I was looking around 14, 14.5k., negotiable, obo....

[tivic]

Yes, we to can use e36 M3 trannys.

It's the best bet....

I see that your really interested in doing this swap as apposed to trading the car so i would say to get a 6spd from a e36 m3.

Like everyone else said, from what i know there bullet proof.
Actually, this would be my last resort.... I would like to sell it first.
If I don't get a decent price for it, that I guess I'd better go with the upgrade than just give it away. I had a 12k offer that I turned down.

[tivic]

I think the gains you get from switching out the tranny are pretty limited. I know its not an easy/cheap upgrade, but 528 to 540 or even 530 seems to make the most sense. I guess it all depends on how much you get for your car. How much did you list it for?
Given all the options that the car is equiped with (I guess the Navi makes all the difference) I was looking around 14, 14.5k., negotiable, obo....