Reply to Thread

Palo Alto shop

The shop you are talking about is Palo Alto Independent BMW Repair on Alma. Mike is co-owner with his friend Kosrow.

They have taken care of my 85 635csi 5 speed(190,000 miles)since it went out of warranty more than 20 years ago. They do know a lot about older BMWs in addition to new ones-and Mike pretty much personally looks at or does all the 6 work himself.

Mike is a no BS guy-ask him about the conversion and he will be very upfront on costs and effort as well as parts availability. They have found more than a few obscure E24 parts for me when it looked like none were available anywhere.

Mike is totally hands on even though he seems to have 5-8 mechanics working for him. He is there every week day (and some Saturdays) except when visiting family in Europe. Homer at Alma, and in business over 25 years in Palo Alto.Mike H

Re: Auto to stick conversion

sfdon how do i talk to you?? Willing to trade lunch for e24 advice

Re: Auto to stick conversion

Double 02 salvage is in Hayward.
I 3-4 conversions a year in my Oakland shop.
sfdon on the e9 forum

Re: Auto to stick conversion

I had a auto to stick conversion done on my '89 over 10 years ago by Palo Alto Bimmer (on Alma). It's been pretty much flawless since.

The warning.... The major player I dealt with was a slender, blond european guy named Mike - VERY knowledgable and very into the 6 series. There are a couple of Mike's there, so get the right one if you decide to check it out. It could be that the management may have changed, although Mike ran the place with his partner and I have seen him there recently. I did get some sketchy work done there several years ago (stopped going), but I think he was back in Europe for a while (so management may have slipped during his absence). He procured all of the parts and did a great job on the conversion. I went over to drive the car when just 'completed', and he said that he was not happy with the trannie and was getting another to put in (seemed fine to me, but he wanted to do it just right). Given that he is there, it would be worth your while to chat with him.

Regards -- Roger

Re: No experience here..

Another local resource I would trust is Nat at Bavarian Professionals, Berkeley. They have done a lot of work on Euro 6er and M5. Dave

wod not a.....

rebuilt getrag be better than a not rebuilt getrag???Bill-'94 740i
'98 540i
'87 L6

No experience here..

Should be a lot in the archives tho... If nothing else works try mwrench.com. Ed probably know this stuff backwards and forwards.
Pacific Sharkfest '02 '03 '05 Veteran
Original Owner

Re: Auto to stick conversion

http://www.theeurodepot.com/index.php?id=14

this was the kit i was considering

Re: Auto to stick conversion

I was looking at one of the kits, are the trannys any good?? Or are they just rebult getrags

Re: Auto to stick conversion

Should be real straight forward.. do you have the parts or a donor car?

Call a couple independents and get estimates.. Maybe try 02 Salvage in Berkeley too.
Pacific Sharkfest '02 '03 '05 Veteran
Original Owner

Auto to stick conversion

looking for someone to convert auto to stick in sf bay area?? Anybody know a shopo that has done it