Eligebbie 0 Report post Posted March 10 hey guys, I have a stage 2 2009 135i automatic and I'm super bored of the auto and wanna manual swap it, I'm assuming it's easier to manual swap than to find one already manual and pay the 30k plus ppl want for them and if anyone could give me some insight on how much it would cost/parts required/ where to get it done if it's too hard to diy it and also how u go about keeping it legal if that's an issue, cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 2152 Report post Posted March 10 There are kits on Trademe. $$$$$. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car-parts-accessories/bmw/gear-boxes/listing/5206865568 Nearly as much as an entire car. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eligebbie 0 Report post Posted March 10 oh sweet thanks, costs alot haha but still ends up being cheaper than buying a stock manual so seems decent, dunno how much it would cost for someone to install it tho... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harper 596 Report post Posted March 10 Relatively easy mechanical swap, it's just nuts and bolts at the end of the day. RealOEM is a good reference for finding all the manual specific parts that you need or grab a kit like linked above. Pricey but Roland makes sure everything is clean, complete and good working condition. My next swap I'll get the bits from him. Wiring and coding required though, it's all pretty straight forward and well documented but there is a learning curve. If you're not DIY'ing you're better off buying a factory manual. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eligebbie 0 Report post Posted March 10 I've got no problem with diy and mechanical stuff as I'm a mechanical engineer and id love to learn to do a diy swap myself, only problem is I don't have a car lift and don't have access to one I could use for multiple days, any idea how long it'd take?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacko 2192 Report post Posted March 10 Ive pulled 130 box on jackstands, its not exactly fantastic but is doable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eligebbie 0 Report post Posted March 10 good to know that it's doable without a lift, I appreciate the insight from all u guys I reckon if I gave it a good whack I'd get it eventually hahaha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2441 Report post Posted March 10 Keep in mind that the moment you change the brake pedal to a manual one, you will trigger the threshold for needing a cert. It's probably the worst thing about converting cars to manual these days, since it'll lock you into the state the car is in when it goes for a cert, and you cannot change anything about it unless you cert it again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eligebbie 0 Report post Posted March 10 yeah that's a good point, I heard it's hard to change the brake since the auto cylinder is different to the manual one or something? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elias 328 Report post Posted March 10 1 hour ago, Eligebbie said: yeah that's a good point, I heard it's hard to change the brake since the auto cylinder is different to the manual one or something? Nah no issues there pretty straightforward swap. Booster/master is the same between auto and manual, just need to cut the end of a nipple on the reservoir off to add the clutch fluid feed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harper 596 Report post Posted March 10 3 hours ago, KwS said: Keep in mind that the moment you change the brake pedal to a manual one, you will trigger the threshold for needing a cert. It's probably the worst thing about converting cars to manual these days, since it'll lock you into the state the car is in when it goes for a cert, and you cannot change anything about it unless you cert it again. My manual swapped 130i had no trouble getting a warrant without a cert fwiw Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2441 Report post Posted March 11 9 hours ago, Harper said: My manual swapped 130i had no trouble getting a warrant without a cert fwiw Cool story, but it's also technically not legal either 🤷♂️ Even if you pass a WOF, you could fall foul of your insurer if something goes wrong. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harper 596 Report post Posted March 11 (edited) 33 minutes ago, KwS said: Cool story, but it's also technically not legal either 🤷♂️ Even if you pass a WOF, you could fall foul of your insurer if something goes wrong. I guess so, I like to live dangerously. I have never heard of a claim being denied for something like that though. Especially since like you say, for NZ cert it's not even the manual swap that is certified, it's just the manual brake pedal. At least in my experience the car is not looked at that closely beyond is it economical to repair and was it warranted but maybe I just haven't had an expensive enough crash yet. Edited March 11 by Harper Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eligebbie 0 Report post Posted March 11 when it comes to a manual 135 I'd probably rather pay the money to get it certed then to risk losing 25k if it got written off and destroy my insurance reputation at the same time if it got denied but i think it's really funny how all they care about is your brakes being hooked up properly and not the absolute key running gear of the car 😂😂😂 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eligebbie 0 Report post Posted March 11 12 hours ago, elias said: Nah no issues there pretty straightforward swap. Booster/master is the same between auto and manual, just need to cut the end of a nipple on the reservoir off to add the clutch fluid feed. so is the clutch fluid also dot fluid ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elias 328 Report post Posted March 11 4 minutes ago, Eligebbie said: so is the clutch fluid also dot fluid ? Clutch fluid is the same thing as brake fluid, does the same job of hydraulically actuating something wether that’s a brake piston or a clutch slave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1730 Report post Posted March 11 37 minutes ago, Eligebbie said: when it comes to a manual 135 I'd probably rather pay the money to get it certed then to risk losing 25k if it got written off and destroy my insurance reputation at the same time if it got denied but i think it's really funny how all they care about is your brakes being hooked up properly and not the absolute key running gear of the car 😂😂😂 Assuming they would even know (which they very likely would not), I doubt they could deny the claim unless it was caused by something directly related to the swap, much the no WOF situation. Most inspectors wouldn't have a clue if its converted or not and the ones who do dont care as long as everything is OE parts. Stupid technicality which 99% of people dont care about. If you plan on doing other modifications that need a cert then it makes more sense to include it. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eligebbie 0 Report post Posted March 11 1 hour ago, elias said: Clutch fluid is the same thing as brake fluid, does the same job of hydraulically actuating something wether that’s a brake piston or a clutch slave ah okay that makes sense, I heard that if u don't wanna take the dash or ac system out u have to get a soft hose or something for the clutch is this true? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harper 596 Report post Posted March 11 50 minutes ago, Eligebbie said: ah okay that makes sense, I heard that if u don't wanna take the dash or ac system out u have to get a soft hose or something for the clutch is this true? No you can feed the factory hardline through. It sucks... But you can. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
