Average cost for SMG to manual conversion

[Icecream]

I consider you a poo c.

Anyone that equates manual driving with manliness is confused lol.

[pawelgawel]

Back in the day SMG was something new and exciting... it was hyped up and technically did exactly what it was build to do. The conversions happening now are done for 2 main reasons, long term cost of SMG and to be more in tuned with the vehicle. SMG is great and I actually didn't mind it at all. Drove through some beautiful roads up north where I live and loved how fun and fast the gearing was. Sometimes I still wonder why I did the swap, then I take it for another drive and I get my answer.
Some cars are just meant for manuals.

[Will ZCPM3]

I purchased my car new with SMG due to the sole fact I had a 1.5 hour commute in stop and go traffic at the time. I was driving a manual 323ci before that and the drive was a leg killer. I still consider myself manly...

[simonnim]

Not insecure. I've owned both. Just putting it out there in addition to my opinion in price.

It does bother me that people think it's some type of machismo to drive a manual car. But just ranting more than anything.

[jet_dogg]

Nobody said either of those things man don't be so insecure. Props to those grannies who are more manly than men who can't drive a manual transmission.

An automated gearbox is going to make you faster on a track too, nobody was arguing that either.

[simonnim]

What I can't get over is people claiming standard transmissions are manly or proves you're some great driver. If you've taken a trip over the pond you'll notice 70+ year old grannies driving standard transmissions.

If you prefer manual, good for you.

Anyways aside from that. Around 4.5k with a new clutch is a good price. If you have a lot of free time I think doing it yourself would be a good use of the extra time, unless you can potentially use that time to make $$$.

I just did my subframe reinforcement and all the bushings over 3 weeks.

Also the manual vs smg/dct whatever is that unless you've driven both on the track, you won't understand the benefits of using paddles for shifting. You can focus on the lines and trail braking and correction without thinking about depressing the clutch, rev matching and throwing in gear while taking a turn.

I've just recently purchased this car with SMG. And I picked up a whole swap for 1800. But, I'm not going to swap it until something goes wrong with the SMG. Because I know for a fact I'll probably be faster in this on track than the manual version.

[Circa Surviven]

Mine was a hair over $5600 done through Kassel Performance in York PA, felt comfortable going through them as they’ve done a number of these conversions so far. However there were some notable extras I opted for which make the price quite decent overall...
Autosolutions 0%/3% reduction kit
CSB
Trans mounts
Software set to genuine CSL
New clutch and flywheel via FCP

I'm still kicking myself for not going with an Auto solutions SSK with my conversion. Definitely cost saving to do it while the transmission is out of the car and not later down the road.

[jet_dogg]

The irony is that these cars were deliberately ordered because of the smg transmission by their majority owners (who couldn't drive manual is another argument) which is explained by the sales volume of this iteration of the m3. I am speaking for socal, obviously not Tennessee. I understand all the cost analyses and other irrelevant points that don't pertain to my argument. Fifth hand owners, well at least most, don't buy an smg car with the intent to convert to manual. The ones who do are a small niche group. Therefore, it is ironic that these cars were specced with an smg at a cost of $2400, then subsequent owners sought these cars out and after much trial and tribulation decide to convert to a manual transmission for a few K more. I'm not going to post any further on this topic.

[oceansize]

My point being it was boasted by people who couldn't drive manuals as a means of self validation.

There is no question transmissions like pdk are testaments to technology. Still ironic people are paying to remove smg.

I think the vast majority of swaps are not the original (or even second) owner but the third, fourth, or even fifth owners. Most original or second owners who may have made those type of statements have long since moved on. I don't see the irony in that at all. The issue is the cost of throwing parts at an SMG problem if you don't understand the system (or in some cases even if you do). Cost analysis is all that is at play here. Also in 2001 through 2006 there was still a ton on manuals on the road and our cars would have been originally driven by people born, at the latest, in 1980 (unless they had some really rich parents or were willing to take on that big payment). I don't know very many guys born in the 70s, such as myself, or very early 80s who can't drive stick.

[jet_dogg]

My point being it was boasted by people who couldn't drive manuals as a means of self validation.

There is no question transmissions like pdk are testaments to technology. Still ironic people are paying to remove smg.

[Icecream]

I can't help but lol @ original owners paying 2400 extra for smg only for subsequent owners to pay 4k to remove it.

They used to brag their car could shift in 80 milliseconds but then I'd still beat them in a drag.

ha. but 80ms is incredibly fast and certainly was brag worthy being it out performed any other sequential manual, Italians included (and certainly faster than a human).

[Rich_lol]

Mine ended up around a little over $4500. Was $2000 for labor. Parts included the bellhousing, new clutch, and autosolutions ssk


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[pawelgawel]

I consider doing this service for others myself.. did mine last month and it took 4 days of hard labor. Not easy but straightforward. I thought of charging 2k for the labout (CND) without coding .... can't imagine less for 4 days of work.

coding is £120 from ECUWorks.. parts cost me roughly 1200 with new clutch and GPS. Did my own BH conversion.

[jet_dogg]

I can't help but lol @ original owners paying 2400 extra for smg only for subsequent owners to pay 4k to remove it.

They used to brag their car could shift in 80 milliseconds but then I'd still beat them in a drag.

[COVID-19]

For $7k they probably get a true low mileage 6MT.