Z3 steering rack into E36

[Gravy]

How much quicker is the Z3 rack over the E36?
Is it a worth while mod based on the fact I think the E36 steering response is the single biggest (and only) let down on my car!

Also, can anyone help me getting onto e36coupe.com as my user details are still not verified!

[Shropshiremike]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Agreed, well worthwhile

[Gravy]

Fantastic!!! Thankyou very much for that information and sorry it took me so long to reply!
I shall be looking into this in the new year!

[Shropshiremike]

Gravy said:

Fantastic!!! Thankyou very much for that information and sorry it took me so long to reply!
I shall be looking into this in the new year!

Get it done - be very surprised if you want to swap back afterwards

[taffyracer]

E46 compact does indeed fit and works extremely well and is easier to find than the Z3 1.9

[SJobson]

taffyracer said:

E46 compact does indeed fit and works extremely well and is easier to find than the Z3 1.9

Very interesting... what's the standard E46 rack? I tried a 325Ti and felt it handled better than other E46s I've driven, but wasn't sure why. Steering might be the reason.

[NickXX]

SJobson said:

taffyracer said:

I tried a 325Ti and felt it handled better than other E46s I've driven, but wasn't sure why.

Lighter & less overhangs.

[NickXX]

SJobson said:

taffyracer said:

I tried a 325Ti and felt it handled better than other E46s I've driven, but wasn't sure why.

Lighter & less overhangs.

[Shropshiremike]

taffyracer said:

E46 compact does indeed fit and works extremely well and is easier to find than the Z3 1.9

Yep, true - not quite as fast as the Z3 rack but still an improvement over the std E36 one if you want a quicker one. It's the same as all the later E46 Sport racks also as the steering changes were trialled on the Compact before introducing them on the rest of the range. Anything after mid '01 on an E46 should be the same by the way

Edited by Shropshiremike on Monday 31st December 18:32

[Shropshiremike]

NickXX said:

SJobson said:

taffyracer said:

I tried a 325Ti and felt it handled better than other E46s I've driven, but wasn't sure why.

Lighter & less overhangs.

The front overhang is the same as is the wheelbase but there's less rear overhang obviously and a lot less weight which all helps to make it feel more "wieldy"

[ZeroSum]

Suprisingly the compact only weighs 50kg or so less than a similar coupe

[Shropshiremike]

ZeroSum said:

Suprisingly the compact only weighs 50kg or so less than a similar coupe

A 325ti is about 100kg lighter than a 330i coupe

[apmirkin]

So, I can fit an e46 steering rack to my e36 coupe???

So which is the best to go for exactly??

e46 355ti or the z3 rack??

[Pork_n_Beem]

Just got an e46 rack off a cabriolet only 10,000 miless, its a minter.

Its three turns lock to lock with 5mm more travel than an e36, measured roughly with a tape.

Hole centres are the same, have not fitted it yet but looks like a straight replacement.

i am putting it on an E30.

[Gravy]

Anyone used/bought a steering rack from Eurocarparts?
I see there is a "REMY" rack for £199 plus surcharge?

[Gravy]

Scrap the above, I will source a 2nd hand Z3 rack from a breaker.

for those that have done the swap, is it a fairly straight swap over?Any modding required? What is it like with the lock limiters/how much lock is lost over the standard rack?