The FIRST UK BMW M6 with manual transmission

We were lucky enough to be given the opportunity to handle the conversion of an SMG equipped BMW M6 to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Manual? You ask…Did BMW even make a manual M6? Apparantly it seems they did – 701 to be exact (323 Coupes + 378 Convertibles) – but for the USA only!

The one option missing from the UK models was a 6-speed manual instead of the SMG, after all we are probably the best market for it!

Our client asked us to research and look into the best ways to convert his car over to a manual transmission.

–

As soon as the car arrived we set about removing the existing SMG gearbox allowing us to see the access available for linkages, clutch lines etc.

Our client supplied the manual 6-speed ‘box which was imported from the USA for a US M6, complete with clutch and flywheel.

We sourced a pedal box from a 530d, and hooked up the clutch lines from the pedal box to the master and slave cylinders.

We removed the perforated holes provided by the factory (how nice of them) so we could run all the cables and lines under the car properly, just as the manual M6 would be.

We had to have a custom gearshift gaitor built as this doesn’t exist for RHD 6 series, as all 6 series cars in the UK were either auto or SMG.

The engine ECU has had to be programmed to know that it now has a manual gearbox attached, otherwise as far as it’s concerned there is no gearbox attached and will only run in ‘get-me-home’ mode.

That’s about it, if you would like to know more you can call us on 01992 443900 or email [email protected]