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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

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1536Z4
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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by 1536Z4 » Sat Aug 14, 2021 10:41 am

Here we go then . I have been thinking about what I would buy if I had some extra money and decided I would want to try a Z4M but would want it changed to an automatic gearbox !! Why I here you ask would anyone want to do that ? Well since early 2007 I have not been able to bend my left leg so I now have to drive an automatic which means my car selection is restricted . I know that you can convert to hand controls but I do not want them .

My probably hypothetical question is which auto gearbox do you think would be best to put into a Z4M and do you think it would be possible without costing more than the car is worth . ( Just waiting for someone to say the car would be worthless without a manual gearbox :rofl: )

Apologies for any offence caused by this post .
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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by brillomaster » Sat Aug 14, 2021 10:51 am

Hey no sweat, if you need an auto, you need an auto. Since theres reasonable overlap between an e85 and e46 3 series, id suggest a 6speed auto, possibly from a big engined diesel. Or maybe an auto box from a 645 or something. But shudder to think how much it would cost to convert it.

If youre wanting an M engine and an auto, doesnt an e46 m3 have an auto option? Or is it SMG only?

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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by 1536Z4 » Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:14 am

brillomaster wrote: Sat Aug 14, 2021 10:51 am If youre wanting an M engine and an auto, doesnt an e46 m3 have an auto option? Or is it SMG only?
SMG would be fine but would probably more of an issue to link up . I was initially looking to buy an E46 M3 but they were too much for my budget so went for the Z4 . I think that would be my option if funds became available and the cost of converting the Z4 was extortionate . It would be a great project though to get an SMG from a written off E46 M3 and give it a go . What a build thread that would be :D :D
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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by Mister T » Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:19 am

If you're being serious then I'd suggest going for a DCT conversion. PMC do an adapter kit to fit the GS7D36SG from a later M2/3/4:

https://pmcmotorsport-shop.com/product- ... D36SG.html

You'll need a gearbox controller, HTG can sort you out there:

https://htg-tuning.com/gcu/

Custom mounts and a propshaft are easy to sort.

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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by gadgetJunky72 » Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:31 am

I would have thought a Z4M + auto box conversion will easily be more than just buying an E46 M3, which may even be a bit of an investment. you might even find that E92 M3s are cheaper than E46s.

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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by 1536Z4 » Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:32 am

Mister T wrote: Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:19 am If you're being serious then I'd suggest going for a DCT conversion. PMC do an adapter kit to fit the GS7D36SG from a later M2/3/4:
Oh yes I am being serious I don`t see why able bodied people should get all the fun :poke: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

The links you have posted look very promising and I will take some look into them further . I am not in a financial position as stated to go ahead with such a project but I want to look into it so that if that was to change I have some options planned .

Thanks :thumbsup:
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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by gadgetJunky72 » Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:35 am

FYI - I started a similar thread but taking a different approach

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=124266&start=15

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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by Mister T » Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:48 am

1536Z4 wrote: Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:32 am
Mister T wrote: Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:19 am If you're being serious then I'd suggest going for a DCT conversion. PMC do an adapter kit to fit the GS7D36SG from a later M2/3/4:
Oh yes I am being serious I don`t see why able bodied people should get all the fun :poke: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

The links you have posted look very promising and I will take some look into them further . I am not in a financial position as stated to go ahead with such a project but I want to look into it so that if that was to change I have some options planned .

Thanks :thumbsup:
It isn't going to be cheap (I'd estimate £6-7k), but you'd end up with a pretty special car.

Somewhere like Garage Whifbitz in South Wales would probably be able to help, they've done a lot of work with DCT conversions on the Toyota Supra 2JZ.

Just to show it's possible :)

https://youtu.be/N35iCB7mqXw

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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by GuidoK » Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:52 am

Mister T wrote: Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:19 am If you're being serious then I'd suggest going for a DCT conversion. PMC do an adapter kit to fit the GS7D36SG from a later M2/3/4:
My guess is that that transmission won't fit the E85 transmission tunnel without extensive cutting and welding.
(and of course things like custom made propshaft)

I think the size of the transmissiontunnel was also the reason the z4m got a physically smaller gearbox than the e46m3
Last edited by GuidoK on Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by Mister T » Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:54 am

GuidoK wrote: Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:52 am
Mister T wrote: Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:19 am If you're being serious then I'd suggest going for a DCT conversion. PMC do an adapter kit to fit the GS7D36SG from a later M2/3/4:
My guess is that that transmission won't fit the E85 transmission tunnel without extensive cutting and welding.
That would be by far the easiest part of the conversion :)

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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by GuidoK » Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:56 am

Mister T wrote: Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:54 am That would be by far the easiest part of the conversion :)
But still labourintensive (so costs) and interior trim probably doesn't fit properly anymore so maybe not that elegant.

Goal here is that the conversion doesn't cost more than the car is worth.
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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by 1536Z4 » Sat Aug 14, 2021 12:04 pm

gadgetJunky72 wrote: Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:35 am FYI - I started a similar thread but taking a different approach
How did I miss that thread :headbang: Looks like the E46 SMG is not so good then .
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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by 1536Z4 » Sat Aug 14, 2021 12:30 pm

Mister T wrote: Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:48 am It isn't going to be cheap (I'd estimate £6-7k), but you'd end up with a pretty special car.
That is the price range I would be expecting but as we all know things can spiral out of control . Now all I need is some money :roll:
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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by 1536Z4 » Sat Aug 14, 2021 12:40 pm

GuidoK wrote: Sat Aug 14, 2021 11:56 am Goal here is that the conversion doesn't cost more than the car is worth.
This is high on the list . I would not want to pay more than half the price of the car for the conversion .
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Converting a Z4M to an automatic ????? Blasphemy !

Post by john-e89 » Sat Aug 14, 2021 12:59 pm

Most probably wrong but I’m thinking a DCT Z4M would be the first naturally aspirated car with that box… :?
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