Z3 rack

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Conan
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Tue Mar 03, 2009 10:13 pm

Been reading into getting a quick z3 rack and wondering where to get one? Quick look on ebay reveled a few e36 racks but no z3 ones - is this normal? Is the e36 one any good?

also is there anyone on the zone that does these swaps?
'91 Sterling Silver e30 320i SE
'96 Avus Blue e34 525i Sport
'92 Alpine White e30 318iS Touring
'86 Alpine White e28 M5 (008/187)
'02 Titan Silver e39 530d Sport Touring
'54 Cosmos Black e61 535d MSport Touring
'07 Sapphire Black e61 M5 Touring

[
Conan
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Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:16 pm

Cheers :cool: , anyone know where theres a definative list of parts (spacers etc) needed?
'91 Sterling Silver e30 320i SE
'96 Avus Blue e34 525i Sport
'92 Alpine White e30 318iS Touring
'86 Alpine White e28 M5 (008/187)
'02 Titan Silver e39 530d Sport Touring
'54 Cosmos Black e61 535d MSport Touring
'07 Sapphire Black e61 M5 Touring

[
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chriskkk
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Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:17 pm

e46 racks are much easier to get hold of with few miles, try fab recyclers
Conan
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Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:48 pm

are e46 racks as easy a fit?
'91 Sterling Silver e30 320i SE
'96 Avus Blue e34 525i Sport
'92 Alpine White e30 318iS Touring
'86 Alpine White e28 M5 (008/187)
'02 Titan Silver e39 530d Sport Touring
'54 Cosmos Black e61 535d MSport Touring
'07 Sapphire Black e61 M5 Touring

[
Daf318is
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:40 am

No different to an E36 rack apparently :)
Image
Now driving an E46 320D touring :(, but it get's worse..... the new project is going to be Ford powered!
Conan
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:49 am

Another question: will i be able to keep my MTechII steering wheel if i swap?
'91 Sterling Silver e30 320i SE
'96 Avus Blue e34 525i Sport
'92 Alpine White e30 318iS Touring
'86 Alpine White e28 M5 (008/187)
'02 Titan Silver e39 530d Sport Touring
'54 Cosmos Black e61 535d MSport Touring
'07 Sapphire Black e61 M5 Touring

[
Daf318is
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:28 am

Yep, changing the racks has nothing to do with the steering colum :)
Image
Now driving an E46 320D touring :(, but it get's worse..... the new project is going to be Ford powered!
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mhobday25
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:41 am

I managed to pick up a z3 rack for mine last week for £50 quid from a breakers near me . Just ring around, BMW breakers all wanted much more for them :D
Daf318is
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:44 am

mhobday25 wrote:I managed to pick up a z3 rack for mine last week for £50 quid from a breakers near me . Just ring around, BMW breakers all wanted much more for them :D
:x :x :x :x :x :x

I tried for ages to get hold of a Z3 rack for mine! I gave up in the end!
Image
Now driving an E46 320D touring :(, but it get's worse..... the new project is going to be Ford powered!
Conan
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:45 am

So the z3 rack is better/quicker than the e36/e46 rack?
'91 Sterling Silver e30 320i SE
'96 Avus Blue e34 525i Sport
'92 Alpine White e30 318iS Touring
'86 Alpine White e28 M5 (008/187)
'02 Titan Silver e39 530d Sport Touring
'54 Cosmos Black e61 535d MSport Touring
'07 Sapphire Black e61 M5 Touring

[
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mhobday25
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:47 am

I did my research before and found out this:

turns lock to lock :

E30 - 4.0
E36 - 3.6
Z3 - 2.7

So I just kept looking for a Z3, I can't see that you would notice the E36 one
charlE30
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:50 am

I've just fitted an E46 330 clubsport rack (3 turns lock to lock) and found the fitting quite simple, the E30 steering coupling fits straight on with it mounted in the forward holes on the subframe.

Whether you fit the E36/E46/Z3 you'll notice a massive improvement on the steering feel in comparison to the E30 rack.

Just remember to get the tracking done afterwards..
BMW E30 344i track car :banana:
BMW F31 335d xdrive
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mhobday25
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:53 am

ooh, didn't know you could use an E46 one, they would be much easier to find. I forgot to say in that last post that an E36 M3 rack is only 3 turns lock to lock, but it is 3 because it is a shorter rack, so won't have the same turning circle
charlE30
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:56 am

It has to be from the 330 clubsport apparently, I think the standard E46 is either 3.2 or 3.4.
BMW E30 344i track car :banana:
BMW F31 335d xdrive
Daf318is
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:57 am

mhobday25 wrote:I did my research before and found out this:

turns lock to lock :

E30 - 4.0
E36 - 3.6
Z3 - 2.7

So I just kept looking for a Z3, I can't see that you would notice the E36 one
Trust me the E36 rack is a MASSIVE improvement - you would have to be driving in America not to notice the difference! :D
Image
Now driving an E46 320D touring :(, but it get's worse..... the new project is going to be Ford powered!
Jhonno
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:04 am

E36 rack is 3.4 turns

I want a 330 ClubSport rack!!
Got cable ties? Get diffin..

Arch roller for hire.

www.zeroexhausts.co.uk

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Conan
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:08 am

Z3 seems to be the one to go with - especially as it seems to slot into the 318iS
'91 Sterling Silver e30 320i SE
'96 Avus Blue e34 525i Sport
'92 Alpine White e30 318iS Touring
'86 Alpine White e28 M5 (008/187)
'02 Titan Silver e39 530d Sport Touring
'54 Cosmos Black e61 535d MSport Touring
'07 Sapphire Black e61 M5 Touring

[
kev_skyline
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:10 pm

Jhonno wrote:E36 rack is 3.4 turns

I want a 330 ClubSport rack!!
so do i, but id imagine theres less of them being broken than z3s :cry:
Martinaston
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Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:16 pm

I've just got an 03' E46 318i tourer rack and its 3 turns lock to lock, gave up on looking for another Z3 rack.
And saved myself about £80 in the process.
There is NO nucleus.
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