If you do the work... around $2000-2500k. $1500-2000 for parts and $500 for labor to machine bellhousing. Just saw a thread where some got quotes in the $4-6k range for someone else to do all the work.

 

At that point wouldn't it be cheaper/easier to just swap in a manual transmission? You could probably find one for under $1k and no machining would be necessary.

 

Ouch. Thanks. I’m shopping for e46 M3s but am NOT a gear head. Looks like I need to narrow my search to manuals.

 

Thing is...you'll generally pay about 4grand more for a 6 speed car. But at least you can say it came with a manual. Finding a good clean car and not paying early 2000's prices for the E46 is no easy task

 

...so I’m learning. I‘ve located a good, really clean car with ~70k, coupe but with SMG. Good service history and only 2 owners. No rod bearings, VANOS, subframe or SMG work done to date.

 

I got mine converted at a shop turnkey for $3100 in Texas. Plus $500 for the bellhousing I sourced from Kaiv on m3forum.

 

I did the conversion just a few days ago. What a nightmare but it was a lot to do with the shop that did it. I did the coding, and a lot of the trim stuff in the interior. When you're in there it's good to replace your starter, trans mounts, Guibo and a couple of other things.
The great thing about the conversion is that you get a probably unmolested transmission that was shifted by a computer so that means good synchros etc. Also means you can do all new shifter linkage and maybe a short shift kit while they're doing the job. I did that. It's around $900 in parts - all brand new from BMW. Bellhousing machining is $500. And labor is around $1,000 at a shop that doesn't charge an arm and a leg. Shops may want like 20 hours of labor at $150 an hour. Feel free to shoot questions. If I had a great great shop to work with I'd definitely buy a SMG over standard manual. It's not rocket science but you gotta know what you're doing.

 

If I had a great great shop to work with I'd definitely buy a SMG over standard manual.

Second that. Especially if youre looking at cars with multiple owners and over 100k miles (pretty much 90% of all remaining 46Ms), starting with an SMG and converting it will guarantee your synchros are in best shape possible.

 

It's not a big deal. I got a full parts list, all you gotta do is paste and order. You gotta find a reputable shop to do the work. You gotta make a deal on the details: timeline, parts to be replaced, etc. There's some real janky BMW techs you wouldn't believe it. The biggest hurdle in the entire swap is, of course, the human stuff. The tech who's gonna work on the car. The shop. That kind of stuff.

My car is now at 124k. I'm the 4th owner I think. Car was bought brand new with cash, a lot of service records. My trans is like new with this new shifter linkage I put in with the conversion. Bolt action shifting. No play.

 

Hey, if you don't mind, can you share the part list to do the conversion and any other helpful tips or lessons learned? I'm looking for a good reputable shop who has experience doing this in Great Lakes region. If anyone else know a good shop, let me know.

 

I found this link on another forum (DIY: Comprehensive SMG to Manual Conversion - BMW M3 Forum). I've attached the PDF with photos in case the link breaks. Thanks to the OP in other forums for their detailed DIY.

Cheers!

Full credit of this post goes to the original poster carried over from M3Forum.

Bellhousing and Transmission Parts
List #	Part	Source	Source P/N	BMW P/N	QTY	Price	Ext. Price
1	6MT Transmission Bellhousing	Forums	NA	NA	1	$200.00	$200.00
2	Locking Pin	GetBMWParts		23111222979	1	$12.88	$12.88
3	Compression Spring	GetBMWParts		23311228393	1	$4.32	$4.32
4	Sealing Cover	GetBMWParts		23127527439	2	$4.59	$9.18
5	Lock Ring	GetBMWParts		#07119934624	2	$1.69	$3.38
6	Locking Pin	GetBMWParts		23311224130	1	$11.10	$11.10
7	Compression Spring	GetBMWParts		23111222720	1	$8.99	$8.99
8	Torx Screw, micro-encapsulated M8x25	GetBMWParts		23317586637	1	$2.57	$2.57
9	Comrpession Spring	GetBMWParts		23317511337	1	$5.88	$5.88
10	Compression Spring	GetBMWParts		23311228405	1	$5.75	$5.75
11	Gear Identification Switch	GetBMWParts		23142229113	1	$78.02	$78.02
12	Cable Clamp	GetBMWParts		11787547213	1	$0.30	$0.30
13	Cable Clip	GetBMWParts		34521164653	1	$0.30	$0.30
14	Pentosin MTF2 (OEM Fluid)	ECS Tuning		*83220309031	2	$22.50	$45.00
15	Locking Pin	GetBMWParts		23317501584	1	$20.83	$20.83
16	Thrust Pin	GetBMWParts		23311282444	1	$11.49	$11.49
					Trans. Parts Total:		$419.99

Optional Short Shifter Parts
List #	Part	Source	Source P/N	BMW P/N	QTY	Price	Ext. Price
1	Shift Knob	ECS TUNING	ES#:47396	25117896884	1	$60.55	$60.55
2	Shift Boot Alcantara	ECS TUNING	ES#47399	25117919219	1	$55.00	$55.00
3	BMW Performance Shift Lever	ECS TUNING	ES#:1895170	25117527259	1	$66.44	$66.44
4	Shifter Ball Bushing	ECS TUNING	ES#:2574768	25111469397	1	$8.00	$8.00
5	Circlip	ECS TUNING	ES#:254614	25117571899	1	$1.00	$1.00
***	ECS Kit	ECS TUNING	ES#46511	NA	Shifter Parts Total:		$180.80

Remaining Gearshift Parts (minus shift rod, ball bushing, shift knob, shift boot)
List #	Part	Source	Source P/N	BMW P/N	QTY	Price	Ext. Price
1	Shifting Arm	GetBMWParts		25112228710	1	$23.39	$23.39
2	Bush Bearing Oval	GetBMWParts		25117507695	1	$3.54	$3.54
3	Bearing Bolt	GetBMWParts		25117529079	1	$4.24	$4.24
4	Bearing Shifting Arm	GetBMWParts		25111222015	1	$18.86	$18.86
5	Shifting Arm Bearing Bracket	GetBMWParts		41128246251	1	$21.43	$21.43
6	Rubber Boot	GetBMWParts		25117522149	1	$13.37	$13.37
7	Selector Rod	GetBMWParts		25112228711	1	$40.30	$40.30
8	Plastic Washer	GetBMWParts		25111220439	8	$0.48	$3.84
9	Securing Clip (Shift Lever AND Selector)	GetBMWParts		25117571899	4	$0.84	$3.36
10	Gearshift Rod Joint	GetBMWParts		25111222688	1	$16.35	$16.35
11	Lock Ring	GetBMWParts		25111222451	1	$0.62	$0.62
12	Plastic Washer Type 2	GetBMWParts		25111434194	1	$2.06	$2.06
13	Dowel Pin	GetBMWParts		23411466134	1	$1.08	$1.08
14	Insert Shifter Covering	ECS TUNING		25111434100	1	$16.82	$16.82
					Gearshift Parts Total:		$169.26

Clutch Assembly (Pedals, Clutch Control Parts and Hydraulics, Electrical)
List #	Part	Source	Source P/N	BMW P/N	QTY	Price	Ext. Price
1	Circlip	GetBMWParts		#07129904567	3	$0.28	$0.84
2	Bush Bearing	GetBMWParts		35211158290	2	$1.50	$3.00
3	Return Spring	GetBMWParts		35301165321	1	$1.43	$1.43
4	Grommet	GetBMWParts		35411113728	3	$1.37	$4.11
5	Module, Clutch Switch	GetBMWParts		61319122700	1	$48.86	$48.86
6	Clutch Pedal	GetBMWParts		35311163870	1	$30.98	$30.98
7	Pin, Master Cyclinder	GetBMWParts		35316854283	1	$2.96	$2.96
8	Rubber Pad, Clutch	GetBMWParts		35211108634	1	$3.58	$3.58
9	Clutch Pedal Stop Buffer	GetBMWParts		35316750569	1	$0.88	$0.88
10	CLUTCH STOP- Clip	GetBMWParts		51488245867	1	$0.49	$0.49
11	CLUTCH STOP	GetBMWParts			1		$0.00
12	Input Cylinder Clutch (Master Cylinder)	GetBMWParts		21526773670	1	$122.70	$122.70
13	Hex Bolt	GetBMWParts		#07119902997	1	$0.77	$0.77
14	Hex Bolt	GetBMWParts		#07119902976	1	$0.58	$0.58
15	Hex Nut	GetBMWParts		#07129904876	1	$0.43	$0.43
16	Repair Kit Clutch Plug-in Connector	GetBMWParts		21521165451	1	$7.08	$7.08
17	Grommet	GetBMWParts		21526863043	1		$0.00
18	Hose	GetBMWParts		21521163714	1	$7.70	$7.70
19	Pipe	GetBMWParts		21526774274	1	$42.90	$42.90
20	Pressure Hose Assembly	GetBMWParts		21526774267	1	$24.18	$24.18
21	Support Pressure Hose Assembly	GetBMWParts		21522229699	1	$1.90	$1.90
22	Clip	GetBMWParts		34341163565	1	$0.78	$0.78
23	Pipe	GetBMWParts		21522229675	1	$27.28	$27.28
24	Vent Screw	GetBMWParts		21521116360	1	$6.88	$6.88
25	Dust Cap	GetBMWParts		34111153198	1	$5.42	$5.42
26	Output Cylinder, Clutch (Slave Cylinder)	GetBMWParts		21526785966	1	$63.63	$63.63
27	Knurled Bolt	GetBMWParts		21511203012	2	$1.62	$3.24
28	Self Locking Hex Nut	GetBMWParts		#07129906196	2	$1.34	$2.68
29	Grommet	GetBMWParts		21521163894	1	$2.92	$2.92
30	Pipe Clip	GetBMWParts		16121176767	1	$1.44	$1.44
31	Clutch Switch Adapter Lead	GetBMWParts		61116911072	1	$7.90	$7.90
					Clutch Control Total:		$427.54

Other Replacement Parts
List #	Part	Source	Source P/N	BMW P/N	QTY	Price	Ext. Price
1	Hose Clamp (Intake Manifold)	GetBMWParts		11617831745	6	$2.74	$16.44
2	Ball Pin	GetBMWParts		21511223328	1	$1.52	$1.52
3	Spring Clip	GetBMWParts		21517570284	1	$4.82	$4.82
4	Guibo Nuts (One time use)	GetBMWParts		#07129900047	12	$1.03	$12.36
					Other Parts Total:		$35.14

GRAND TOTAL: $1,232

Recommended Tools:

-M14x1.5 thread tap for the gear recognition switch. If you’re having a machine shop modify your bellhousing, perhaps it would be easier to have them tap this hole in the gearbox as well.
-Array of 3/8” drive extensions. You will need between 3 and 4 feet in order to reach some of the top bolts on the transmission bellhousing.
-Several universal joints. I would suggest impact rated joints, as I managed to grenade several non-impact joints trying to break bellhousing bolts loose.
-Female torx sockets.
-Lisle earless CV boot pliers for intake manifold clamps.
-Impact wrench.
-Transmission jack. Again, trannys have been dropped using a standard hydraulic jack… This job is involved enough that it is well worth the $70 for a solid low profile transmission jack. Harbor freight makes an excellent product for this.
-Oil resistant black RTV for sealing the new bellhousing to the transmission.
-White lithium grease (no, not the spray on kind) for the throwout bearing guide tube and contact points on the clutch fork.
-Either a welder or ¼” rivets and a riveting gun.

 

Don't shut yourself out on the SMG. Its actually superior to the manual, more fun to drive, and makes the car faster in terms of lap times (if that matters to you). In your shoes, I would continue to look at working well serviced SMGs, and reap benefits of the cheaper price (which could be much more than 4K). Then, when and if the SMGs goes, just know that you have to cough up about 4k whenever that happens. I have been a life long manual advocate/driver (and still am). Most of the bad rep that the SMG gets is generated by people who have either never owned an SMG, or have driven their friends SMG for 10 minutes and determined "It's not like the manual". There is a reason why the BMW M engineers produced the CSL with the SMG only and ever. Also, if you do get the SMG, first thing you should do is get the Build Journal CSL/SMG tune. Then your SMG will be let out of its cage, and the love affair will begin.

 

Dude... You probably would be better off focusing on the big 3 for that car that you already found (as long as the SMG is not already bad). Also, that car should be around 10 or 12K no matter what. Lastly, unless there is really visible cracking in the subframe area, make sure the subframe is the last thing you do (if ever). Mention these things to the owner, and he will realize he is living in LALA land if he's asking more than 12K. 12 should be the top of the bell for that car.

 

Hagerty seems to think it's worth more than 12. They also have a 20% deduct for SMG so if that is correct the conversion will pay for itself when the car is sold.

 

My point is don't buy it worrying about the SMG (unless the SMG is already bad), your looking to buy it and drive it right? Otherwise, if your looking to buy it and flip it, nothing I have said is correct. Deal with the SMG when it needs to be dealt with. You definitely don't need to be worrying about that when the big 3 are still hanging out there. You have to do the big 3, or you will lose your investment.

 

My point is don't buy it worrying about the SMG (unless the SMG is already bad)

Fact: SMG is less reliable than manual. This is due to SMG has much more components which can fail and leave you stranded, the list:
1. The hydraulic e-motor
2. pump internal seals leaking
3. solenoid controlled hydraulic valves
4. Actuator
5. Gear Position sensor
6. slave cylinder encoders
7. hydraulic hose/connector leaking
8. SMG computer
9. SMG shifter switches/sensors
10. Tons of electrical wires and connectors can have bad connection

Any of these parts if failed can cause trouble, and the manual has none of these parts so it is more reliable.

 

Dude I was talking to the OP "Cb3319", who stated he found an SMG with 70k miles but no big 3 done. It sounds like the the SMG conversion is the fist thing he's looking to do. I understood fully what you said.

 

Dude I was talking to the OP "Cb3319"

Cb3319 has not been on the forum in over a year.
Several others, including dodgypete, have jacked this thread for their own SMG swap questions.

People: it’s always best to start your own thread so you do not jack someone elses and pollute it with your questions.