Manual Tranny Conversion
 

Has there been any manual transmission conversion done on the 4.4i or 4.6/4.8is that you guys know of?

None from my fading memory, as posted on this or
any other X5 board. Nearly "anything" can be done
automotive-wise, but it would take some serious
skills and bags of dough, imo.
GL,mD

as every modder will tell you; with the right amount of $$$ anything is possible.. Maybe using the e39 m5 manual tranny might work for the 4.6/4.8 but who knows how much thatd be

I remember seeing some advice in Roundel some time ago for a "5 er" if I remember correctly. He wanted to go manual also and it looked like a lot of work. With BMW that always equals a lot of $$$$$. And you can count on the dealer to knowing nothing helpful should you ask.

The only X5 I know of that is high up using a manuel is the V12 X5.

My mechanics at vacmotorsports put a BMW S6S420G 6 Speed trans into a 740iL...along with some other heavy duty aftermarket parts...the car was raced in the gumball and then spent a few years over in Germany. With the right amount of cash it's possible. If you dream it they will build it.

http://www.vacmotorsports.com/cgi-bi...pl?view=simeon

I think the challenge is that none of the really powerful BMWs are both manual and AWD. That means the "easy" options are using any of the powerful V8/10/12 motors but settling for RWD (as with the E39 M5 or 850Ci) or using the 3/530/35xi package (which gets you 255-300hp).

I don't know if the E53 3.0i gearbox will work with a more powerful V8, but I've never heard of it being done.

" I don't know if the E53 3.0i gearbox will work with a more powerful V8"

I think it would be the first cheapest and easiest option. However do the latest ones come in 6-speed?

No manual gearboxes at all on E70 X5. BMW seems to be loosing the plot as far as that is concerned. Both petrol and diesel X5 from year 04 onward were fitted with 6 speed manual gearboxes. Try driving a 6 speed manual diesel, you will be impressed.

I wonder how much the 6-speeds run used.