Alright, I'm looking into a 1988 BMW 325 base end, its in wonderful condition. My only problem is, The poor thing is automatic, I haven't been looking too hard, but where or how can I get a manual transmission for it? and how much will it run me in?

 

Unless its some really amazing deal / condition then just go find a 325is with a 5 speed and you will be very happy

 

is 1200 an amazing deal for the thing

KBB wants 1900 for it

 

You can find a 5 speed for it very easily, go check out r3vlimited.com and e30tech. You'll also probably want to upgrade to an LSD. You can pick up a 3.73 fairly cheaply (less than 300).

 

havent figured out why its in the auto-x section

 

Accident really, the only relation is for a future drift car

 

Those cars are worth $400-$800 in running condition around here. I could see paying $1200 for one in awesome shape & running perfectly with all records and soforth... but keep in mind you couldn't be further from a "good E30" (for go-fast fun at least) than an automatic 325e. They're soooo slow. Swapping a motor, trans, and diff to make it right = why not just start with a 5-speed i or is car? Unless of course you're doing FI or swapping all that stuff anyway... in which case I'd say why waste the money on a running eta for $1200, why not just get a car with some major mechanical problem for a few hundred bucks?

Good luck,

Jon

 

Stay away from the eta cars. However there is a small company that I have forgotten the name of that sells everything you need to swap transmissions from auto to manual for $550.