2008 E60 M5 Sepang Bronze: Manual Transmission Conversion

Another E60 M5 manual transmission conversion is in the books! This time on a rare 2008 Sepang Bronze M5.
E39Source website: www.e39source.com
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[@natemeanor4247]

even though i don’t own any more bmws i always love watching your videos. one of the few channels i haven’t lost interest in. keep the videos coming!

[@E39Source]

Thank you for your continued support!

[@Samson44444]

I’d love to hear an audio book/ podcast from you. Your voice is very pleasing to hear

[@eddd6827]

You are the man! Thanks for keeping these alive! Looking one now for myself, looking for SMG model "broken" one and will do manual swap thanks for all your videos about e60

[@Edison73100]

1 note. Of all of the OEM wheels, these have to one of the best looking ever.

[@billymania11]

A very nice car. M5 V10's are slowly disappearing off the streets so it's always good to see one driving by. The work you perform on these M5's is excellent and is of a high-standard. For me personally, I would not change out the transmission. The SMG was designed for this car and originality is important to some of us. I wish someone would study the SMG and perhaps implement a solution to improve it's reliability. There could some nice profit for that person.

[@E39Source]

It would be nice if more reliable SMG components were available, but personally I think the transmission is a disaster and really dates the car, whereas the manual is timeless and totally transforms the driving experience.

[@creilly907]

@@E39Source Just need the wife to want to drive a manual car, haha. Are you providing a consulting fee and/or kit package for sale for those of us who want your expertise but shipping the car to CA is cost prohibitive?

[@E39Source]

@@creilly907 I have cars from both coasts and everything between actually! Shipping can be costly, but you could always road trip it if it's running now! I can offer consulting on the project though, as time allows.

[@emsg2009]

Beautiful car, beautiful presentation. One more subscriber earned

[@E39Source]

Welcome!

[@dont9502]

How much do you charge part+labor to do the smg to manual tranny conversion?

[@thamatrix03]

Did you ever get an answer to your question?

[@waquarahmad9447]

Great video and beautiful color on this e60. I was fortunate enough to find a 2010 with 50k miles which has been really well taken care of. It’s SMG but if that goes bust I might consider a manual swap! You guys seem like you definitely know what you’re doing. Only thing is that I’m in NJ. What mileage do problems like smg pump, rod bearings and throttle actuator start presenting themselves? Appreciate it.

[@E39Source]

Thank you for watching, and congratulations on your M5 acquisition! 2010s are pretty rare. SMG failure would not be a surprise to me at any mileage, especially since these cars are 14 years old now in the best case. Failure is more common as you approach 80-100k miles. I recommend rod bearings no later than 65,000 miles, and throttle/idle actuators around the same time. Many of the cars we service are from the east coast, and I work with a great transporter to move cars around the country. Please don't hesitate to email me with any additional questions, [e-mail]. Thank you!

[@waquarahmad9447]

@@E39Source got it. Greatly appreciate the insight. Glad to hear you guys service cars from all over the country… if the time comes where I want to swap for a manual I know where to go now thanks! One more question; in keeping the car as stock as possible can we get a new smg transmission when the time comes or better to switch to manual for lesser problems down the road? Thank you!

[@E39Source]

I believe SMGs are still available, though I certainly wouldn't recommend it. The manual totally transforms the way the car drives, significantly improves reliability, and increases its value all at the same time. @@waquarahmad9447

[@waquarahmad9447]

@@E39Source sounds good thanks!

[@qutabaalzoubi5543]

How much do you charge for a manual swap on E60 M5 ?

[@FailofWar127]

I'd be curious about this as well

[@therightnuke]

Probably about 10 to 15k if i could guess

[@E39Source]

Please send me an email at [e-mail] for more details, including costs!

[@E39Source]

@@FailofWar127 Please send me an email at [e-mail] for more details, including costs!

[@thekiller500099]

How much does a complete job like this cost with part and labor? Give or take?

[@godla26]

How much it will cost to the the swap? I am about to do it due to some malfunctions on my smg. Or do you have some spare parts from smg transmission?

[@E39Source]

Please email me for a conversion estimate: [e-mail] I will soon have an SMG transmission available for sale too.

[@gblikesnikes]

God those wheels have to go ASAP 😂😂😂

[@kiy647]

Nah they fire

[@bmwM5ma]

Amazing job man, need my M5 in 6 speed, its 2008 40k miles, all options including soft close door

[@E39Source]

We can convert it for you!

[@bmwM5ma]

@@E39Source do you use new transmissions and driveshafts, and what about differential, as manual have different ratio?

[@E39Source]

@@bmwM5ma We use used E9X M3 transmissions, but can source new M3 OR M5 gearboxes if you prefer. For the driveshaft, I offer a Genuine BMW shaft, or most of our customers prefer the custom-made driveshaft that we source with serviceable u-joints. This is a faction of the cost of the factory driveshaft. The differential is a 3.62 ratio in both the SMG and manual, this was not changed.

[@bl1tzk1213g]

@@E39Sourcehow much does it cost to convert to manual?

[@E39Source]

@@bl1tzk1213g The cost varies wildly from month to month as the cost of the parts change each day. Please email me at [e-mail] for a rough estimate now.

[@_zigzak]

Is it possible to convert the smg itself to a 7 speed manual? The gearing on the smg fits the v10’s powerband a lot better than the 6 speed manual.

[@E39Source]

It would be possible, yes. The problem is, your shift pattern would be 2, 4, 6, 7, 5, 3, R, 1. This would making shifting incredibly difficult. People say that there is a perceivable difference in the gearing between the manual and SMG, which is simply not true. People say this to try to justify keeping the SMG around. The 6-speed's gearing is absolutely fine.

[@theurbanegentleman4550]

You can fix it by installing a slightly shorter diff if you don’t like the taller gearing. Six speeds are fine

[@shahrinabubakar9999]

The bumper and headlight not contuer i see

[@bkirkbir]

Does this also have e9x M3 transmission?

[@E39Source]

Yes

[@IM_ACID]

Quick question This is one of my dream car and I plan on getting one in 1.5 years Is dct swap possible on these? Like either f80 or e92 dct

[@E39Source]

A DCT conversion is possible, and has been done before, though I do not offer the service. I personally don't feel that the DCT is an upgrade over the SMG. The objective of my manual conversion is to make the car more engaging, reliable, and involving to drive. The DCT improves the gearshift time, but that's about it.

[@IM_ACID]

@@E39Source I appreciate this reply The only reason I don’t really like manuals on a big sedan because IMO it just doesn’t fit in these especially if it’s a e60 Like I get e39 manual m5 my ultimate bmw dream car I want the dct only due to reliability compared to SMG Which is a shit box But honestly I maybe wrong because v10 6mt is a glory on its own How much do you usually charge for a swap like this? Again thanks for the reply

[@E39Source]

@@IM_ACID I find the manual to pair with the E60 and S85 quite well, it makes the driving experience immeasurably better, not to mention the reliability. Please email me for an estimate! [e-mail]

[@IM_ACID]

@@E39Source can’t disagree man Especially those downshifts hits different and bet will look into that

[@Bamfhammer]

Have you ever done a manual swap on any year F07?

[@E39Source]

Not yet!

[@Bamfhammer]

@@E39Source is that something that si even possible on a car that was never offered in a manual configuration? 535i xDrive GT

[@E39Source]

@@Bamfhammer Anything is possible. Other N55 powered BMW were available with manual transmissions. I'd be most concerned about ABS/DSC programming/coding.

[@Bamfhammer]

@@E39Source will you deal with shipped cars there and back? I am not exactly close.

[@E39Source]

@@Bamfhammer Yes, many of our cars are delivered by shippers.

[@Jennifer-007]

What are you charging now to do this, I have a 2003 M5 and a 2006 M5 and sure miss the manual when I drive the E60.

[@E39Source]

Please send me an email at [e-mail] for more details, including costs!

[@crispcarguru303]

what do you charge for the manaul conversion?

[@E39Source]

Please email me for an estimate! [e-mail]

[@rhinowatches9738]

I have a 2004 645ci that I would Love to swap to a manual transmission . Can you give me your contact details for more info

[@E39Source]

Please email me for more details! [e-mail]

[@joshuad1716]

Hey Ryan, just moved to Oceanside and looking for a shop I can trust to work on my 02 e46 m3 with 50k miles, is that something you guys would be interested in?

[@JohnJohnson-ce9tq]

I'm in Suffolk county NY as well looking for the same. I took my E39 to The Bimmer Shop LLC and dealt with Scott when I was having voltage and failsafe prog. Issues. I mean he seemed decent tho he had the car for much longer than I'd like. But I see all these BMW guys on west coast n stuff but when I was looking to do a engine swap n turbo n some work on my e46 it seemed like nobody was willing/able or wanted outrageous amount of money

[@computiNATEor]

@@JohnJohnson-ce9tq Custom work like engine swaps with turbos are not within the scope of work anyone (maybe excepting a race-shop) would be willing to touch, including E39Source.

[@computiNATEor]

I bring my cars to Ryan from Orange County, I'm sure he could work you in :) Reach out via the contact form on E39Source.com

[@E39Source]

Hi Joshua, welcome to San Diego! I would love the opportunity to work with you. Please email me at [e-mail] so we can schedule a time to meet!

[@JohnJohnson-ce9tq]

@@computiNATEor well I talked with a bunch of fabricators n a few race shops but their either are booked for a year or have way too many projects goin on. But yes your right that's why I'm having an issue finding someone . I mean I can do me hanic work as I work for Nissan but I don't have the space or certain things I need lifts stands etc plus I do not mess with wiring n electrical stuff. Us I'm in NY not Cali so I wasn't looking for him to do any work on my car jus b.s.ing

[@ottson]

What gearbox do you use for these E60 M5 conversions?

[@Tangelos]

Same as E60 550 and E9X M3

[@ottson]

@@Tangelos Cool. Is it also in the factory manual M5?

[@Tangelos]

@@ottson yes. That’s exactly what BMW used

[@E39Source]

We use the E9X M3's gearbox. The one from the 550/545i will NOT work, contrary to popular belief.

[@ottson]

@@E39Source So the gearbox in the factory manual E60 M5 is unique?

[@coa9987]

Ryan did You lose some weight?

[@E39Source]

Nope, always been built like a 2x4.