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

[1536Z4]

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 .

 

[brillomaster]

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?

 

[1536Z4]

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

 

[Mister T]

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-eng-3227-Adapter-Kit-BMW-M50-S50-M52-S52-M54-S54-BMW-M2-M3-M4-DCT-DKG-GS7D36SG.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.

 

[gadgetJunky72]

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.

 

[1536Z4]

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 oke: :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

 

[gadgetJunky72]

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

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=124266&start=15

 

[Mister T]

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 oke: :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

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

 

[GuidoK]

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

 

[Mister T]

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

 

[GuidoK]

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.

 

[1536Z4]

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 .

 

[1536Z4]

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:

 

[1536Z4]

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 .

 

[john-e89]

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

 

[GuidoK]

This is high on the list . I would not want to pay more than half the price of the car for the conversion .

The only thing I can say is: get a conversion that has been done in the past, or something with a guarantee
That way you can see what you get and see what niggles it has.

Because reliability is very important, even more than with a manual.
Especially if you go the smg/DCT route (in this case I think electronically it's more reliability challenged :wink: )
IF the SMG or DCT gets into a fault mode, its very much possible it's stuck in gear.
If your car sits in your driveway, or is parallel parked, it might not be so easy to get it towed to the garage, not being able to get it in neutral :roll:

That said I would just buy the V8 F type with the zf 8 speed for about the same money :roll: :lol:

 

[mmm-five]

Would the ZF8HP51 from the Zupra work…but if it does, at what cost?

I suppose the older 8HP45 (or later 8HP50) from the BMW range including the e89 Z4 will handle the HP/torque of the Z4M, and will be cheaper & more easily available used..and there is of course also the DCT from the e89.

 

[mmm-five]

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

First n/a Z4M, but not the first BMW…that would be the e9x M3 and it’s 7-speed DCT (which I didn’t get on with at all).

 

[tomscott]

Essentially its probably not financially viable. Its taken 15 years for the M3 CSL to be converted the other way round.

The manual in the Z4M isn't the same as the E46 because of space constraints the M3 has gtrag and think the transmission in the Z4M is a similar unit to that in the standard car. So I think an SMG is probably going to be difficult and its an awful transmission. I think that is the issue with the Z4 is that its small so I doubt the DCT would be an easy swap.

Better off looking at something like a e89 35I or IS, E92 M3, 135 auto, m235/240, M2, M2 Comp newer m3/4 etc etc or any that have been made as an auto.

 

[1536Z4]

Better off looking at something like a e89 35I or IS, E92 M3, 135 auto, m235/240, M2, M2 Comp newer m3/4 etc etc or any that have been made as an auto.

I will use Tom`s quote as it combines what some of you have said and to sum up my thoughts so far . Yes it would be much easier and more sensible to get something that is more powerful etc and already has an auto box but I love a challenge even if I don`t have the expertise to do the job . As this was a hypothetical question I really appreciate the time taken and views given and the options supplied on what auto boxes may work or other work rounds and that inspires me .

If at some point I find myself in a position that I can afford to " upgrade " I have decided to explore the Z4M with auto box route first as that is what I would really like . If that day arrives I will most certainly be doing a build thread unless someone else is as mad as me and does it first of course

If any of you are going to Shepshed tomorrow I hope you have a great time . Maybe next year for me