Z3 vs E46 purple tag steering rack

[Murt97]

So I’ve been going back and forth between the Z3 and the E46 purple tag racks to swap in for my stock E30 rack...

...I don’t mind paying a bit more money for the better rack, but as I have no first hand experience of them, can anyone provide their thoughts on either rack?

I understand the Z3 rack is a simpler DIY job, but is it suitable enough for both spirited driving AND normal day-to-day cruising/manoeuvring?

Cheers!

[BristolE30]

So I’ve been going back and forth between the Z3 and the E46 purple tag racks to swap in for my stock E30 rack...

...I don’t mind paying a bit more money for the better rack, but as I have no first hand experience of them, can anyone provide their thoughts on either rack?

I understand the Z3 rack is a simpler DIY job, but is it suitable enough for both spirited driving AND normal day-to-day cruising/manoeuvring?

Cheers!

What makes you thinking the z3 wouldn’t be suitable?

[flybynite]

What makes you thinking the z3 wouldn’t be suitable?

Because the Z3 rack is faster (2.7 turns) and linear (also fast in the centre) which can make the E30 very 'twitchy' and 'darty'. Getting a real one in good condition is hard and expensive these days.

I have not driven an E30 with anything other than standard rack, but I have driven a few cars with similar steering and they are a real pain in the ass at motorway speeds.

The people who have tried them (well, the couple of people whose opinions I actually value) say stick to the purple tag

[Murt97]

What makes you thinking the z3 wouldn’t be suitable?

Because the Z3 rack is faster (2.7 turns) and linear (also fast in the centre) which can make the E30 very 'twitchy' and 'darty'. Getting a real one in good condition is hard and expensive these days.

I have not driven an E30 with anything other than standard rack, but I have driven a few cars with similar steering and they are a real pain in the ass at motorway speeds.

The people who have tried them (well, the couple of people whose opinions I actually value) say stick to the purple tag

Thanks! I was apprehensive about the Z3 for those exact reasons, I'm gonna most likely get the purple tag.

[BristolE30]

What makes you thinking the z3 wouldn’t be suitable?

Because the Z3 rack is faster (2.7 turns) and linear (also fast in the centre) which can make the E30 very 'twitchy' and 'darty'. Getting a real one in good condition is hard and expensive these days.

I have not driven an E30 with anything other than standard rack, but I have driven a few cars with similar steering and they are a real pain in the ass at motorway speeds.

The people who have tried them (well, the couple of people whose opinions I actually value) say stick to the purple tag

Thanks! I was apprehensive about the Z3 for those exact reasons, I'm gonna most likely get the purple tag.

I guess it depends on what kind of driving you do more of, city or motorway. How many turns is the purple tag?

Lots of people have done the Z3 conversion so I doubt it’s a bad conversion or an awful drive experience. Just preference

[flybynite]

I guess it depends on what kind of driving you do more of, city or motorway. How many turns is the purple tag?
Lots of people have done the Z3 conversion so I doubt it’s a bad conversion or an awful drive experience. Just preference

Lots of people you know or what you read on the internet? OP asked for something good for all driving, not the extreme limit.

Drove a manual rack E30 for over a decade 4 turns lock to lock, that was about as far as you can get the other way but seemed OK to me. Not sure I would like to lose 1.3 turns myself, as you say it is all preference.

Like I say I'm led by a couple of people who have been there and done that and have an opinion I trust.

All the info you need is in the wiki

https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.p ... onversions

[BristolE30]

I guess it depends on what kind of driving you do more of, city or motorway. How many turns is the purple tag?
Lots of people have done the Z3 conversion so I doubt it’s a bad conversion or an awful drive experience. Just preference

Lots of people you know or what you read on the internet? OP asked for something good for all driving, not the extreme limit.

Drove a manual rack E30 for over a decade 4 turns lock to lock, that was about as far as you can get the other way but seemed OK to me. Not sure I would like to lose 1.3 turns myself, as you say it is all preference.

Like I say I'm led by a couple of people who have been there and done that and have an opinion I trust.

All the info you need is in the wiki

https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.p ... onversions

Doesn’t really make a difference where you hear it from, some one doing it on the zone or someone you know. All real people. I’ve got one friend who did it, and read countless posts on the fb group of people doing it.

The majority opinion is it gives the car a much more modern feel in terms of turning, with yes the potential to be a bit twitchy at faster speeds. But like I said just preference and the fact loads of people have done it shows it’s not an awful conversion, but probably quite good for ‘spirited driving’

I have also only ever driven a normal E30 rack

[964russ]

My cars got e46 rack.

I think it's better, takes the lazy feal out

[Murt97]

My cars got e46 rack.

I think it's better, takes the lazy feal out

Nice, how easy/hard did you find the installation process?

[964russ]

Wasnt difficult.
The mounts are in same place, think needed a spacer (10mm ish).
I had the hydraulic lines altered, m20 pump ends onto the e46 lines.
You have to mess with steering column as well, the e46 rack is taller, you can just remove the rubber spacer. Or buy the modify steering uj.

I thought the steering felt "old !" Before.
Lazy feal. Now it's much sharper.
Newer car feal to the steering.

[Murt97]

Wasnt difficult.
The mounts are in same place, think needed a spacer (10mm ish).
I had the hydraulic lines altered, m20 pump ends onto the e46 lines.
You have to mess with steering column as well, the e46 rack is taller, you can just remove the rubber spacer. Or buy the modify steering uj.

I thought the steering felt "old !" Before.
Lazy feal. Now it's much sharper.
Newer car feal to the steering.

Nice, I’m waiting for my purple tag to arrive.
Which tie rods did you end up using?

[ozzy2006]

hi guys I'm thinking of doing this also...from what I've read the purple tag is the way to go....has anyone used a mechanic in London who has done the job properly as there are some fiddly bits and work arounds you have to make.

Too many cowboy mechanics who are lazy and don't appreciate other peoples property....

Let me know ...much appreciated

Ozzy

[JungleGus]

I've had both and agree on the purple tag...there's a marginal difference and the Z3 was a bit more twitchy....but one of the better E30 upgrades. Barry at BMR did mine (Gatwick)

[ozzy2006]

Ok they have their contact details on here will give them a shout....did they supply and fit or just fit...

[flybynite]

Buy the pipes from DanThe as they just fit and work (he includes the spacers as well).

If you are anywhere in the South East just take it to Barry at BMR he has been doing that sort of thing for years. I'm sure Barry would get the pipes for you.

Second time this morning I am recommending BMR! I'm not on commission (I wish) just know how good their work is and experience with E30s.

[ChrisHC]

DanThe supplied me the pipes to fit an E46 rack but my local BM specialist could not manage the job, so I went to Dan himself who fitted the rack and a Z3 short shifter while I waited and marvelled. I think he has done it once or twice before!
The standard rack ratio must date back to the days before power steering, when you needed the ratio to avoid overly heavy steering, the E46 ratio is so much better.
https://www.facebook.com/bmconversionsuk/

[Dlb26]

BM specialist couldn't manage?
Many, myself included managed on their drive/ in garage on axle stands.

[ozzy2006]

Where is Danthe located... if he's near London would definitely be worth the visit

[ChrisHC]

Where is Danthe located... if he's near London would definitely be worth the visit

Cannock, just off the M6

[ozzy2006]

Wow...bit far for me ....will try the fellas near Gatwick...

[ChrisHC]

Wow...bit far for me ....will try the fellas near Gatwick...

Depends whereabouts you are, from Hertfordshire I would rather go to Cannock than Gatwick!!

[ozzy2006]

I live in Harrow in London

[e30-EVN]

Second for Dan's pipes. I approached him when I put the v8 in my car and he made up the pipes to suit the engine and e46 rack. All went in with no fuss.
Also got the solid steering linkage which is adjustable.

I cant get my head round bmw "specialists" who cant manage jobs like this when I've no qualifications and built a whole v8 out the back garden lol

[DanThe]

Barry has fitted my pipe kits to plenty of cars, get it booked in

[ozzy2006]

Where is Barry located... does he supply and fit ...?

[flybynite]

Where is Barry located... does he supply and fit ...?

http://www.bmrperformance.co.uk

[twenty]

Where is Barry located... does he supply and fit ...?

Did you get it done?

[ozzy2006]

Not yet... Had quite a lot going on, hoping to do it in the next 3 months...

[rix313]

I'm just up the M40 near Silverstone if I can be of any assistance.

[reggid]

Might be flogging a dead horse but is the purple tag legitimately slower (non linear) around centre and the Z3 linear?

i have seen people state they are both 50mm per rev and both linear therefore the Z3 is just has limiters to limit lock to 2.7 and therefore is actually no quicker than a purple tag.

The way they test this is flawed though as they rotate 1 full rev and measure the travel but this may mask subtle differences around centre. it would be more useful to measure the travel every 5 or 10 degrees upto 90 degrees around centre in the most commonly used portion of the range to be able to plot a curve with enough data points to capture the true characteristics.

if i had both i would test it myself

[flybynite]

I have both.......somewhere I'll check them if find both together. But I'm sure purple tag is progressive rack. Not driven both in an E30 but driven Z3 and my 330i enough to feel the difference.

Most of my E30 driving has been with a manual rack. Don't really see why Alpina had manual steering on early cars. Camber plates and 16" Alpinas makes for interesting parking in tight spaces where you can't roll the car as you turn the wheel.

[reggid]

I have both.......somewhere I'll check them if find both together. But I'm sure purple tag is progressive rack. Not driven both in an E30 but driven Z3 and my 330i enough to feel the difference.

Most of my E30 driving has been with a manual rack. Don't really see why Alpina had manual steering on early cars. Camber plates and 16" Alpinas makes for interesting parking in tight spaces where you can't roll the car as you turn the wheel.

Ok thanks, it would be much appreciated