B3 3.0 Touring Number 16 of 24

[Stirling]

Doesn't look to be in the greatest shape, and the original rims seem to be missing. At least it's a manual:

http://2.ajes.com/imgs/4IuzCwB6LtZC4m4brftylaI7anHiIldPS4V04oiaselrFodthc k0JYGKr7OjEE0Xo19Bqp3rOV-32LG9vWr1WJqR8G
http://2.ajes.com/imgs/2myH0mB6pRbXOKYBdiw8sG6aHqFz86X1jPHliubNH1uC2YBXx6 CzRUj7kWGjAEmvn5MmIiHEH-32LG9vWr1WJqR8G
http://2.ajes.com/imgs/v2m5autRSmJqkauwL0dnmpnmU1zCVdcXn18Ordv5p8VBMhASH0 nNojdazAMAxmyHM8e6jfs-32LG9vWr1WJqR8G
http://1.ajes.com/imgs/rCzgvokLj7VY64PcYJQvkNtgV7GWumMH1pQzY0tRAn7Bso3Y8X OHKrjHnfRpup7Uq5igzDjPP5Kz-32LG9vWr1WJqR8G

[jrsmitchell]

Doesn't look to be in the greatest shape, and the original rims seem to be missing. At least it's a manual:

Those are the right rims they are just missing the center caps.

However the stereo is ripped out, that faux wood trim on the OBC and climate controls aren't original, there's no Alpina gauge surround, and it appears to have the gas light on :)

Not a lot to love there, you could convert an auto to manual for far less than fixing those problems.

[Scooter]

This one was at auction last week as well and sold. I think there is likely more than one good reason it's back at auction already.

There was also a B6 2.8 up this week (auto). I contemplated it since it was in better shape than this, but it was still pretty rough, so I watched it pass.

[Stirling]

There was also a B6 2.8 up this week (auto). I contemplated it since it was in better shape than this, but it was still pretty rough, so I watched it pass.
Yeah, that one sold for 64,000 Yen less than a month a go. That flipper made a quick buck.

[Stirling]

If you wanted to swap a manual into an E36 B6 or B3, what would be the appropriate unit? Was it the same manual used in 325i/328i?

[jrsmitchell]

I don't know for certain, but they did have a 5 speed so I would guess it's the same ZF unit used in the 328 and US M3.

"Appropriate" is relative of course. :D Basically any manual from an E36 or E46 will mate to the B6/B3 engine.

Cost aside, the best option is the E36 Euro M3 6 speed (expensive, hard to find), the E46 M3 6 speed (expensive). Those are pretty well documented swaps and the parts required are readily available. You can also use an E46 330 / Z4 6 speed but this is not as well documented. And finally the cheapest and easiest option is the 5 speed ZF from the 328 / US M3.

I'm personally doing a manual swap in mine. I do everything the hard way so I'm using the E46 330/Z4 6 speed swap. Just acquiring a few more parts before I remove the Switchtronic. :)

[Stirling]

Thanks for the advice.
Hey, how about doing a thread of your swap on here so we can all follow along!

[jrsmitchell]

I'll certainly take notes and post them!