| aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 | 
from bimmerforums.com Quote: The info I have on BMW racks is:
95 M3 15.4 ratio 3.0 turns lock-to-lock
96+ M3/MZ3 17.8 ratio 3.2 turns lock-to-lock
Z3 15.4 ratio 2.7 turns lock-to-lock
325 16.8 ratio 3.4 turns lock-to-lock
328 15.4 ratio 3.2 turns lock-to-lock
I have a E36 325i rack and a '98 z3 2.8 rack sitting on my shop table. The z3 rack is going in my E30.
The z3 rack is more like 2.8 or 2.9 (definately not 2.7) turns lock to lock with 5.5" of total travel - has a zinc-plated steel body
The E36 rack is 3.2 or 3.3 turns lock to lock, also w/ 5.5" of total travel - has an aluminum body.
Would love to know what the '95 m3 rack travel is
I have heard that the z3 rack has an even steering ratio, while the '95 m3 has a weighted ratio, less ratio on center, then more ratio as the turn increases. If the total travel is the same 5.5" on the '95 rack, then the turning radius would be the same on all of the racks. The z3 rack would just give you a bit more responsive feel on center than the '95 rack. | from what i read, they also indicated the z3 racks (with tie rods, aka "long racks") are direct bolt ins. some remans appeared to be lacking one of the trombone pipe mounting holes with was "resolved" by using a tie wrap. __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel |