e36 m3 steering rack

[erik325i]

I plan on putting an e36 m3 rack into my '89 325i. Does it matter what year it's out of? The one I'm looking at is from a '97 M3. That one is 3 turns lock-to-lock, right?

How much have you guys paid for yours? Is $275 shipped a good price for the rack with tierods?

Thanks. Your input is appreciated.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Re: e36 m3 steering rack

I plan on putting an e36 m3 rack into my '89 325i. Does it matter what year it's out of? The one I'm looking at is from a '97 M3. That one is 3 turns lock-to-lock, right?

How much have you guys paid for yours? Is $275 shipped a good price for the rack with tierods?

Thanks. Your input is appreciated.

They all work, AFAIK. Not sure on the lock-to-lock ratio.

$275 shipped for a low mile one is good.

[JeffRR]

The 95 M3 rack has the quickest ratio, lock to lock @3.0. The 96+ M3's had a lock to lock @3.5.

Just for reference I paid $150 for my 50k mile, 95 rack with tie rod ends.


Do a search on the topic, someone posted a pretty complete analysis of the ratio of each rack (E36 M3 95, 96+M3, Z3, and base E30) as well as the overall travel which is important as well.

[cheades]

You should be able to get a 95 M3 rack for that price. The 95 M3 rack is quicker at 3 turns as stated, the 96+ one is the same as the regular e36 rack. I got mine for $70 but that was a lucky local find.

[DEV0 E30]

Zionsville has a 3.25, 3.00, and 2.70 what is the 2.70?

[nickmp0wer]

No the z3 is the quickest at 2.7 turns. Im looking at one with 29k miles with tie rods for like 200 plus shipping. Hmmmm

[ilia]

How unbeareable is the 2.7 rack? Is it still OK for a daily driver? How twitchy is it on the highway?

[nickmp0wer]

since its used in the z3 it should be ok. assuming the z3's hubs have the same distance from the center to the tierod hole as the e30.

the question I have is how bad will it be with out power steering?

[MattM20]

How unbeareable is the 2.7 rack? Is it still OK for a daily driver? How twitchy is it on the highway?

the z3 rack isnt unbearable at all, ive been using it for 14 months and couldnt be happier with it. the steering is alot tighter, and it is extremely stable at high speeds, even more so than the stock e30 rack.

[kylebes1]

I had a 2001 z3 2.5 with sport package. With the smalled steering wheel and the 2.7 rack I was in heaven, having came out of a 1984 318i with teh bus steering wheel.

I would say the perfect e30 steering combo would be an M-teck 2 steering wheel with the z3 rack.

I have the zionsville CD if you want it.

[nickmp0wer]

How unbeareable is the 2.7 rack? Is it still OK for a daily driver? How twitchy is it on the highway?

the z3 rack isnt unbearable at all, ive been using it for 14 months and couldnt be happier with it. the steering is alot tighter, and it is extremely stable at high speeds, even more so than the stock e30 rack.

you dont not have power steering do you? would you care to take the belt off and see what its like?

[kylebes1]

i pulled teh belt of my 318i when it was a 18i. It was cool above 10mph.

I think the 2.7 would be impossible below 10mph! and hit a bump at high speed, that could be bad!

[nickmp0wer]

yeah im using the stock rack with no ps now and its fine

[MattM20]

How unbeareable is the 2.7 rack? Is it still OK for a daily driver? How twitchy is it on the highway?

the z3 rack isnt unbearable at all, ive been using it for 14 months and couldnt be happier with it. the steering is alot tighter, and it is extremely stable at high speeds, even more so than the stock e30 rack.

you dont not have power steering do you? would you care to take the belt off and see what its like?

the z3 rack would suck without power steering. as it is, with the power assist, the z3 rack is firmer (or just as firm) than the stock e30 rack without any power assist. the wheel is barely moveable at a stand still without p/s and it is still really bad at low speeds; deffinately no fun that way.

[DEV0 E30]

You can still use power steering right? Using a pump from an E30 or something right?

I don't see why you would want a daily without power steering.