6-speeds - When?

Originally Posted by TerraPhantm

0.85:1 on the GS6-37BZ, 0.83:1 on the S6S-420G

Thanks. Something new every day.

Well now that i am informed about 6 speed manual 330's......

How hard, and would it be cost effective to transplant a 330 6 speed into a 5 speed 325ci convertible? I'm experienced with doing all the work myself but question is....... is it worth it? Especially in a Black on Black 325CI 'vert?

I would assume this would help with gas mileage because in the 5 Speed 325's when you are on the highway your RPM's hover around 2750-3k and consume 28 -26mpg (estimated speed 60-70mph)

I would imagine with the 6 Speed could result in 32-34mpg? - what do you 330 6 speeds get on the highway USING cruise control on "relatively level road surfaces"

No, it's not worth it. Unless you just have to tell people that you swapped the transmission for a 6 speed. But no, you're not going to make up the cost of the swap in gas mileage any time soon.

If I'm only cruising cross country, on cruise control it's not a problem to get 32 mpg. Sometimes as high as 33 or 34 indicated on the OBC reading.
But remember I also have the stock 2.93 rear end. Car rips up to 90 mph just fine in third with that gearing. Sweet sounds from that engine.

Man i regret buying a 325, even if its a vert > - It's even a manual top! lol

Think when summer comes up again i'll part with her and upgrade to a 330ci vert. (:

Bet you already know Spring is the best time to sell your vert.

Let me say it's worth it to upgrade to the 330. Hooked up to my six speed the car pulls hard all over the place and has all the power you'd ever want short of racing. 96K miles since I picked it up and still makes me smile all the time.

I have an '03 coupe and it's 5 speed :/
Wish it was 6!

Originally Posted by E46inthe206

I have an '03 coupe and it's 5 speed :/
Wish it was 6!

i like seattle. see you there in the next 5 years.

I love it.. wouldn't mind some better weather for once though.. that's why everyone here looks forward to the summer so much.

there are a lot of tech companies there. I will be graduating with a B of computer science next year from nerdtown. I think i wont be homeless in seattle.

Maybe I'll see ya 'round. I'm about 20 minutes north of downtown.

Originally Posted by TerraPhantm

Didn't come like that stock. Unless you're counting reverse as a speed

x2

Originally Posted by TerraPhantm

It wasn't an option anywhere on any 325. Unless you count SMG... and that wasn't available in 2001 anyway.
So I stand by my statement. How about you learn to research correctly before calling someone out?

agreed. there wasn't a 6 speed transmission option

Originally Posted by E46inthe206

I have an '03 coupe and it's 5 speed :/
Wish it was 6!

Yikes, yours was probably one of the last to roll off with a 5!

Like I said before, 6 sounds sexy, and I was pysched to get mine. But it's really more gears than you need. Used to have four speeds and they were enough.
Your car's no slower, just lacks that last overdrive gear.

Originally Posted by TerraPhantm

You're both right. Coupes built in march 2003 were all titled as 2004 models.

wait..what?? are you saying all 3/2003 Coupes are 2004 models?
i know the usual for BMW is Sept so if that's what you're saying i'd like to see this info.

Originally Posted by Stinger9

Yikes, yours was probably one of the last to roll off with a 5!

Like I said before, 6 sounds sexy, and I was pysched to get mine. But it's really more gears than you need. Used to have four speeds and they were enough.
Your car's no slower, just lacks that last overdrive gear.

Well.... I'm actually not sure if I've ever tried to pull the knob down after 5th.. I'll try tomorrow hahaha. 99% sure it's 5spd though

Originally Posted by Alex323Ci

wait..what?? are you saying all 3/2003 Coupes are 2004 models?

That's what some say. I know the Wiki says the six speed came in with the March '03 production, so the implication is that this was called an '04. I have no way to verify that.

Some good DIY info here: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...659314&page=15

Originally Posted by Stinger9

Learn how to interpret posts correctly!
He does not list his location, so for the sake of argument, let's assume he resides in Armenia. Probably was an option for touring due to the high cost of petrol from neighboring Iran.

lol i like your backstory but no. I live in NC. Car was imported from Regensburg, Germany with a 5 speed. Also there was no option for any BMWs lower than a 330 to have a six speed past the years of 2003.5 till whenever. My 6 speed is out of a 2004 bmw 330i.

Originally Posted by TerraPhantm

Didn't come like that stock. Unless you're counting reverse as a speed

True, I put it in. I grenaded my 5 speed so why not put in a 6 speed that was just laying around doing nothing

Originally Posted by Rotha

lol i like your backstory but no. I live in NC. Car was imported from Regensburg, Germany with a 5 speed.

Ah! Somebody got the joke!

Originally Posted by Stinger9

Learn how to interpret posts correctly!
He does not list his location, so for the sake of argument, let's assume he resides in Armenia. Probably was an option for touring due to the high cost of petrol from neighboring Iran.

I'm 100% Armenian

Originally Posted by Alex323Ci

wait..what?? are you saying all 3/2003 Coupes are 2004 models?
i know the usual for BMW is Sept so if that's what you're saying i'd like to see this info.

Except for the M3s. But yes. The facelift started in March 2003, and there is no 2003 facelift coupe.

http://www.bmwvin.com/?vin=PL10006

Take a look at that link. Note the following: Type code BD53, which is the designation for the facelift coupes. Build date March 7, 2003. Of note, the VIN for the car in the link above is: WBABD53404PL10006 -- Digit number 10 represents the model year designated for this car. 4 = 2004. So this is a case where we have a car built on March 7, 2003 that is titled as a 2004 model. This particular car is a facelift 330ci

Originally Posted by Nicholas.Lopes24

Well now that i am informed about 6 speed manual 330's......

How hard, and would it be cost effective to transplant a 330 6 speed into a 5 speed 325ci convertible? I'm experienced with doing all the work myself but question is....... is it worth it? Especially in a Black on Black 325CI 'vert?

I would assume this would help with gas mileage because in the 5 Speed 325's when you are on the highway your RPM's hover around 2750-3k and consume 28 -26mpg (estimated speed 60-70mph)

I would imagine with the 6 Speed could result in 32-34mpg? - what do you 330 6 speeds get on the highway USING cruise control on "relatively level road surfaces"

Difficulty wouldn't be much worse than changing the clutch.

You'd need the flywheel, clutch, and transission from a 330 6-speed. Then you would either need a 325 SMG driveshaft or a 330i 6MT driveshaft + 330 diff.


If you can get the parts cheap, it might be worth it. Especially if you needed a new clutch and flywheel anyway.

Originally Posted by Stinger9

That's what some say. I know the Wiki says the six speed came in with the March '03 production, so the implication is that this was called an '04. I have no way to verify that.

Some good DIY info here: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...659314&page=15

6 speeds did start in March 03. March 2003 also happens to be when the facelift coupe started, which BMW decided to sell as 2004 models.

So you have some 2003 sedans with 6-speeds and no 2003 coupes with them -- even though the 6-speed sedans and coupes were built at the same time.