Need help looking for 6-Spd Manual assembly

[Shrimpcito]

Hi all, I'm looking for a manual transmission + clutch pedal assembly + harness + driveshaft and whatever is needed to swap my 2003 z4 3.0 from SMG to a 6 speed manual. My mechanic said he's been scouring FB Marketplace and junkyards but has had no luck finding one to swap in (he said it's rare to find).

When I asked if it would be possible to just convert the old transmission from SMG to manual, he said it won't be possible due to the internals going on inside or something.
I also asked him if he could just take one from an e46, he said those came in a 5 speed, not in a 6 speed like how the 4's came in from the showroom.

My SMG's gear position sensors went out and they were going to charge me $2895 to change them out, so l was looking to just swap a manual in to save me the future trouble, as my SMG pump seems like it may be on the way out soon too.

Mechanic also said it would be easier as well to just find a parts car that was in an accident either in the back or front and just take the parts from there.

If anyone has any suggestions on finding the parts needed for the swap, or could lead me in the right direction, I would very appreciate it.

 

[Mr Tidy]

All the manual 3 litre Z4s had a 6-speed box. The E46 had a facelift in 2003 and facelift 330is and 325ti Compacts got a 6 speed. So did the diesels, but the ratios probably wouldn't be right.

 

[enuff_zed]

I wonder if your best bet may be to find a cheapish 3.0i and cannibalise it?
You'd get the parts you need and would probably make a fair bit back selling on the other parts.

 

[Zedebee]

The transmission itself (gs6s37bz) is the same. It’s just the mode of selecting gears which is different. Somewhere there must be a guide to convert one to the other, although it would probably be easier just to replace the whole unit.

 

[Spriteracer]

The wheeler dealers tv lot converted an E46 M3 smg box to manual a few years ago - ?2019. iirc it was very expensive, needed some machining and was done by a specialist in the US. Not an economic solution ! The episode is probably still available online somewhere.