I’ve just completed my SMG To Manual Conversion on my E46 M3 Coupe. Pictures Below.
I know some of you may think why i’ve done this or which is better.
This is not about what is better or who prefers what. It’s down to personal preference, i’ve own my SMG E46 M3 for 5 years and during that time I loved the SMG (I was driving around 200 miles a week for my job, with start stop traffic).
For the past year i’ve been working more from home more and therefor only use the car really on weekends. For the past 6 months i’ve always been itching that I want a manual again.
Therefor I decided I wanted to make the change. I’ve never driven an E46 Manual M3 (which maybe anyone thinking of doing this should in case you hate it). Now I did not do this conversion because I was worried if my pump breaks or the SMG packs up as mine was working flawlessly prior to the conversion.
Now some will say why didn’t I sell mine and get an Manual? I’ve spent a lot of money on this car since 2011 on maintenance which includes full Vanos Rebuild, New Discs Pads All Around, New Starter Motor, New Alternator, Steering Hose, replacement backbox, new exhaust hangers & countless other items.
Not to mention it’s an Individual Estroil Blue With Two Tone interior and has every single option (apart from electric blind). Which at the time of purchasing, taken me a lot time to find the right spec and condition.
I’ve done the whole conversion myself from start to end, which includes the wiring, and the programming/coding side
I’ve never done anything to this scale on a car. I’ve rebuilt my Vanos last year which I found fairly easy (although time consuming and a lot of research). It’s taken me 6 weeks to complete which i’ve done in the odd hour here and there between my day job.
A lot of time is wasted figuring out how to remove stuff such as the gearbox or how to access certain bolts or rebuild the gearbox, how to code the car etc ) (I used NCS Expert & WinKFP BTW)
In total the parts to convert cost £700 and labour was free because I done it).
I’ve purchased a broken E46 M3 Manual gearbox off eBay for £165 (it was crunching gears apparently). I only wanted the bellhousing from it. I knew my gearbox is in perfect working order (will have little wear as the SMG is doing the perfect changes) rather than human (who can crunch gears in).
I changed any wear and tear parts that needed to be done whilst I was converting, so as the Flex Disc, CSB. Exhaust Brackets, bolts etc, Gearbox and Diff oil change, so i’m not adding the cost of these parts to the conversion as they needed doing anyway.
I used the F10 M5 Manual Weighted illuminated gear knob which is one piece with the leather. I had to cut an old E46 leather gator to use the plastic frame for the M5 Knob. This alone cost £120 but It’s well worth it. I decided to use the 545i E60 shift lever for the Short Shift rather than 330d as it sits central and feels bit better to me.
Everything is Genuine parts, brand new Shifting linkage Bushings, rubbers etc. Feels like a brand new the shifting.
How does it drive or feel you ask? Well i’ve only driven it for 10 miles and I love it. It feels like another car. Hands down it’s the best Modification you can do. It does feel much more engaging to drive.
Everything works as it should no limp mode or dash errors, PDC, reversing lights.
Αρχικό μήνυμα απο ///Mitsos
https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threa...h-pics.150793/
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