Since someone asked ( and I know I looked for this all over the place before I did it! ), here is what I can come up with for all of the parts used in converting my 94 540ia to a 540i/6:

6-speed transmission (msrp ~$5k)
clutch master and slave cylinders
flywheel ( msrp ~700 )
driveshaft ( msrp ~$700-800 )
pedal cluster
shifter and linkage

This is everything I "got" from a donor car via the internet.
In addition, I was invoiced for this from the mechanic:

21 52 1 159 350 fluid hose ( $37.50 )
11 14 1 729 836 gasket ( $5.90 )
11 14 1 710 247 crankshaft seal ($52.25 )
25 11 1 221 822 (2) shift bushing ( $12.40 )
23 70 1 092 201 cross member ( $37.11 )
23 70 1 141 614 (2) trans mount ( $34.20 )
11 21 1 720 310 pilot bearing ( $18.06 )
18 21 1 178 340 (2) exhaust hanger ( $17.00 )
26 12 1 226 657 center support ( $100.20)
25 11 1 222 651 mounting ( $19.37 )
25 11 1 222 365 shift a ( $23.26 )
MTL redline ynth mtl ( $18 )

Labor for me would have been $930, which includes reprogramming the reverse lights and the passenger mirror tilt-down stuff. Alas, the tranny I bought was bad, so I had to pay another $600 for diagnosis, removal and installation of a brand new 6-speed.

I still need a shift knob and boot, too.

Hope this helps someone.

-- Will
1994 540i/6 w/Dinan catalogue.

Excellent list! Thanbks a lot. How does the swap function? Does the car act like it should? If it does, it would certainly lay to rest the electronics questions that are associated with this question.

If, by "acts as it should", you mean no error lights, etc, then everything works great. The only "electronics" that I know they messed with were to get the backup lights to come on and also the sideview mirror-tilt function when going into reverse. As far as I know, that's it.

It is a TOTALLY different beast. So much more responsive. Even with the added cost, I am so thrilled that I had it done.

As I've said, I did not do the install, but I will happily share any of my experience that I can with anyone else who wants to do the same thing.

-- Will

thank you for the list. It may prove helpful in the future.

Yeah, based on the parts list, this is now a job I can do. The only thing holding me back previously was my uncertainty with the electronics. I'm in the middle of the swap with my CS at the moment, and it is not too difficult.

Considering this question comes up at least once a week, shouldn't this be a sticky? The only thing that would change from model to model is the transmission type. (and a few part numbers, but eh, that is easy enough to figure out)

this should be submitted to bmwe34.net

I'd take the Red Line MTL off the list. It has destroyed hundreds of Getrag 6 speed manual transmissions in Toyota Supra, causing loss of detent and tranny failure. These transmissions can not be rebuilt, so field experiments are risky.

Try OEM fill...or RP, if you insist on experimenting with non-approved lubricants.

beautiful work. have copied for future refrence. thanx

I'd take the Red Line MTL off the list. It has destroyed hundreds of Getrag 6 speed manual transmissions in Toyota Supra, causing loss of detent and tranny failure. These transmissions can not be rebuilt, so field experiments are risky.

Try OEM fill...or RP, if you insist on experimenting with non-approved lubricants.
I would be curious to see the details on those trannies that Red Line supposedly "destroyed". I was looking at doing a 6speed swap myself and now have decided to have my get rag 280/5 rebuilt by Jim Blanton. He requires that Red Line MTL be used on his rebuilds and be changed annualy otherwise the 3 year warrantee is voided. I think there is something to be said there. This guy knows his stuff.

Did you use a 280/6 for your swap btw?

Honest question here: why would anyone ever do this? E34 540;s are pretty cool IMO but arent they going for less than $10k now or in other words about what this swap would cost? The 10k to me seems like it could be better invested in a new car that already is 6 spd.

Honest question here: why would anyone ever do this? E34 540;s are pretty cool IMO but arent they going for less than $10k now or in other words about what this swap would cost? The 10k to me seems like it could be better invested in a new car that already is 6 spd.
Think of it this way. If you have a car you know everything about. You know it is solid and you like it enough to where you dont want to sell it for somethign newer, it would be better to mod it to what you want then to go thru the hastle of selling your car and finding the right new car (which is really the same car you have just in manual instead of auto). Just my rationalization. I have seen people make m3's out of standard e36's. Its actualy not that uncommon. So there must be some rational reason.

Plus, auto e34 540s are probably many times more common, as they only made manuals for one year out of two possible, and even then, they are a rare option for that year.

Mods, please sticky this; there is an e34 trannie swap question almost every week; this would answer them. Please!

There is already a 6speed swap thread stickied. It talks about everything needed minus the few things needed from an auto to manual. feel free to add them though.

Since someone asked ( and I know I looked for this all over the place before I did it! ), here is what I can come up with for all of the parts used in converting my 94 540ia to a 540i/6:

6-speed transmission (msrp ~$5k)
clutch master and slave cylinders
flywheel ( msrp ~700 )
driveshaft ( msrp ~$700-800 )
pedal cluster
shifter and linkage

This is everything I "got" from a donor car via the internet.
In addition, I was invoiced for this from the mechanic:

21 52 1 159 350 fluid hose ( $37.50 )
11 14 1 729 836 gasket ( $5.90 )
11 14 1 710 247 crankshaft seal ($52.25 )
25 11 1 221 822 (2) shift bushing ( $12.40 )
23 70 1 092 201 cross member ( $37.11 )
23 70 1 141 614 (2) trans mount ( $34.20 )
11 21 1 720 310 pilot bearing ( $18.06 )
18 21 1 178 340 (2) exhaust hanger ( $17.00 )
26 12 1 226 657 center support ( $100.20)
25 11 1 222 651 mounting ( $19.37 )
25 11 1 222 365 shift a ( $23.26 )
MTL redline ynth mtl ( $18 )

Labor for me would have been $930, which includes reprogramming the reverse lights and the passenger mirror tilt-down stuff. Alas, the tranny I bought was bad, so I had to pay another $600 for diagnosis, removal and installation of a brand new 6-speed.

I still need a shift knob and boot, too.

Hope this helps someone.

-- Will
1994 540i/6 w/Dinan catalogue.
Your list is helpful. I am looking to convert my 95 540 to a 6 speed. I was told by a shop today that I will need to replace my wiring harness and gauge cluster and differential. Did you? Who did your swap for you. I think I need to look around.

the prices he got are mrsp.

i paid $1600 CAN for my 5spd swap for the 3L m60 engine....

add another 1000 dollars for the more expensive 6 speed tranny and different driveshaft and u're set.

I hope this is the MAIN thread for the much popular E34 540i Auto>Manual Conversion. I noticed that the E39 540i (M62) uses the S6S 420G transmission like the E34 540i (M60) but the part numbers are different. Could the manual getrag be used from the E39 for the E34 swap? If not would it be worth the money to buy a new E34 M60 Getrag tranny?

Granted mine went from an auto to a 5 speed but I would imagine it would be the same outcome I have a "Trans Program" error popping up every time I start my car, how did you overcome that? Or is it likely there is something wrong with my tranny?