BMW is now, for better or worse, in the depths of its turbocharged, automatic transmission and all-wheel drive future. While these technological advancements certainly deliver impressive performance figures, they also add weight, complexity, and take some of the fun out of the driving experience that made cars like the 2002 and E30 so iconic. Today’s “ultimate driving machine” is an M4 with a whispering tune and a sticker on the owner’s Instagram ID, or an SUV number.

It’s hard to blame BMW for giving buyers what they want, but those who bought BMW for its driving dynamics, manual transmission and naturally aspirated 6-cylinder engine only have a used market. When the traditional classics are too old and expensive to be practical, and the new ones stray too far from the original BMW identity, enthusiasts are turning to the model, which some see as BMW’s late 1990s and early 1990s models. The beginning of the Golden Age. Since the 3 Series has always been the spiritual center of the BMW product line, it has renewed interest in the E46.

The BMW 3 Series with the E46 chassis lasted from 2000 to 2005 with the addition of the 1999 sedan and 2006 2-door sedan, and it truly is the right mix of old and new. It still has a non-turbo inline six engine producing up to 255 horsepower, a commonly available manual transmission, hydraulic power steering for better feel, and a smaller, lighter form factor, but it also has functional air conditioning and airbags. And you can still find parts for that. You can find a mixer for under $3000 to get around without regret, or convert it into a SCCA spec-E46 race car, or four-wheel drive pickup for year-round travel. It also has a huge aftermarket that makes it exactly what you want, and a passionate fan base with technical know-how.

However, as with any 15-20 year old German car, maintenance will be a bit more complicated than on a Honda. Plastic cooling components are fragile, but there are many companies that make replacements with stronger materials. Multi-link suspension has more bushings that wear out, and you can replace them with polyurethane if you don’t care that much about a smooth ride, or order one of our full control arm kits Including a new suspension link set, pre-pressed bushings to make installing a DIY driveway easier.

Due to our specialty in steering and the continued popularity of these cars, we see a lot of inquiries about E46 steering parts, and some of the design reviews by BMW can make it a little difficult to find the exact right item. When you include the M3, there are three different steering rack options and six different power steering pumps, all based on your specific engine and production date, so we’ve rounded up the parts that match your vehicle.

While the M3 uses its own steering rack, there are still two separate options for the non-M 3 series; One made by TRW and one by ZF. You can look for any manufacturer’s label on your original rack and pinion assembly, or we can look up any OEM part numbers you may find. They both bolt the same way, but the TRW frame is 3.25 turns, lock-to-lock, and the ZF has a faster 3.0 LTL ratio. If you can’t inspect your original steering rack, you can order part ZF; It is more common, it will serve as a replacement for the TRW, and the faster steering ratio will serve as an upgrade, providing faster steering response. We also have a new aftermarket version of the ZF Rack and Pinion that requires no deposit or original return.