which steering rack

[waynemelllo]

I have a 95 M3 and need to change out the steering rack. There seems to be a lot of different ones. I want the 2.7 since i'm going to to some track events. I've been looking on Ebay and local. I'm worried I'm going to purchase the wrong one.

[aeronaut]

Here's what I have in my old notes:
The fastest rack is the E36 Z3 non-M rack (53.5mm movement per 360deg turn), part # 32 13 1 095 575
The most common rack used is the later E46 racks (production dates 4/2001 and later), 50mm movement per 360 deg turn), part # 32 13 6 755 065

Check out this thread for updated/additional options:
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...Upgrades/page2

Others probably have clearer direction.

I use the later E46 racks.

[waynemelllo]

Thanks for the reply. My head wants to spin when i start reading all this info. So did you go with the OEM e46 rack or an aftermarket? Did you have to purchase different tie rods? I'm not against going aftermarket. They seem less expensive. Where did you buy your rack if ya don't mind me asking?

[aeronaut]

Yea, information overload. I went with a rackdoctor rack, but I wouldn't rush back to get another one of his. His warranty support is crappy. (He promised to send me a replacement seal/output shaft twice, and I never saw it. And replacment racks always seem to take 4 weeks.) I've read about folks ordering racks from rockauto, and having good luck.
I honestly can't remember if I installed E46 tie rod ends. I now have an SLR roll center correction kit which comes with SLR tie rod ends, so I can't just go take a look.