While they were a favorite of the “yuppie” class when they were new, the BMW 3 Series E30 and E36 of the 80s and 90s now sit somewhere between a “cheap enthusiast favorite” and an “appreciator classic”. The E30 M3 is a six-figure car now and the E36 M3 lightweight is even above that, but the E30 325is or E36 M3 is a fun weekend getaway where you probably won’t lose money if you keep it for a few years. And an E36 328i or E30 318is can be a fun everyday driver or budget car.

There are many reasons for enthusiasts to love the 3 Series. NASA (National Auto Sport Association, not Space People) has a specific E30 series where each car is equally equipped in an effort to keep costs under control. While still offering racing one step above Champcar or the 24 Hours of LeMans (where any BMW is also a popular pick). Now that “drift tax” has turned any clean-shifted Corolla 240SX or AE86 into a five-figure buy, the E36 is the new default-start bypass car. The new E46 offers the same benefits with a more pleasant interior and more advanced technology and safety. Any Gen 3 is backed by a thriving aftermarket, a lot of technical expertise from a dedicated fan base, and manual transmissions aren’t uncommon until it hits the E90 and E92 models, which are depreciating by that time. Has not happened. . otherwise also.

Considering the number of steering components in our catalog, a big trend we’ve noticed recently is customizing the steering rack from the Z3 to fit the E30 or E36. The Z3 was a Miata-type sports car with suspension adapted from the previous E30 with an E36 transmission, including a rear semi-trailer suspension that the E36 replaced with a more advanced multi-link setup (the odd 318ti hatchback). Except, which is a neat piece of BMW history). It made its debut at GoldenEye as a controversial non-British pick for a James Bond car (certainly based on the Nintendo 64 game) and was successful enough to merit three generations of a follow-up called the Z4. It was launched as a roadster, but a sleeker-looking “coupe” that looked like a two-door station wagon was later added to the lineup, much like the Z3 M coupe and roadster, the 240- with hp S52 engine. E46 M3 to E36 M3, or 333 hp S54. An S54 M coupe is now a favorite of the Bringa trailer set like the E30 M3 or any red Porsche from Guard.

Since the Z3 used so many 3 Series components under the skin, the steering rack is a direct bolt-on replacement, but is used as an upgrade because the steering ratio is much faster for faster steering response. The Z3 frame is 2.75 turns, lock to lock, while the E30 and E36 frames them swapped with a range from 3.0 to 3.9 LTL. BMW‘s argument was that a sports car buyer would expect such quick delivery, while many buyers (or let’s face it, renters) of the new 3 Series model are buying it as their primary car and are looking for safer products and predictable prices. More interested in handling. Fast autocross times.

The only physical difference is a holder for one of the rigid lines on the rack and pinion that acts as a cooling circuit. The stand is completely optional; You can zip it to the mounting point on the subframe, or just leave it as it is, but since we found out that most of our “Z3” racks actually go to the E30 and E36, we started including brackets. Have given. , which should at least confuse some Z3 owners. We have partnered with Duralo to offer the all-new BMW Z3 Steering Rack and Pinion Assembly that requires no deposit or core return.

Not only does this make the process easier for the customer, but it also helps us have better control over our prime returns, so we can be sure that anyone who buys a rebuilt Z3 rack in the US gets the same Get what you ordered and you will not be disappointed once you install the replacement part.