I think its time for a purple tag

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rattusM3
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I think its time for a purple tag

Post by rattusM3 » Sun Sep 24, 2017 12:19 pm

OK, as part of #220 mid-life resto I replaced the steering column which fixed the ever so slight but ever so annoying movement I was getting in the column over rough ground.

But ... we also noticed some ever so slight play in the rack as well as a leaking power steering pipe.
Now, that rack has been painted which points to it being a recon unit and sure enough I found an invoice for a replacement rack back in 2010 for the sum of £68.00 minus surcharge.

Mmm, recon unit at that price with no idea how good it was in the first place.

So, its time to purchase a good purple tag steering rack from an M-Sport, and one that has NOT been so-called reconditioned.
Just a good honest never been touched purple tag steering rack.

I know that Alpina always used the SE version for its creations, but I do wonder why they never specced the purple tag rack rather than keep with the standard as they were uprating the suspension anyway.

I am sure there may be some opinions on this :)

Kev
2002 Alpina B3 3.3 #220
2006 E46 M3
1992 E30 M3 (sold - what a twat)
1986 E24 M6 (working on)
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Post by simon13 » Sun Sep 24, 2017 8:20 pm

whats the difference half a turn lock to lock? I've never found the E46 to be slow steered when you need to get the lock on quick!
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Charles
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Post by Charles » Sun Sep 24, 2017 8:21 pm

Interested to see where this goes as, after 304000 miles, I am preparing myself for a replacement rack on the B3S in the next 12 months.

Slight play in the rack and a leaking power steering pipe too, but it just seems to keep going.
Charles
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Post by rattusM3 » Sun Sep 24, 2017 10:18 pm

simon13 wrote:whats the difference half a turn lock to lock? I've never found the E46 to be slow steered when you need to get the lock on quick!
Mmmm, I always thought the rack on my M3 was a little slow and I think the same for the Alpina as well.
After driving an E46 Sport (both on the ring) last year, in my opinion it confirmed that the steering on the M sport was better than that on my M3.
Of course that was about it ... but still.

Despite the technical bumpf, it comes down to what you have experienced and as I need to change the rack on the Alpina regardless I think it would be a good test to try the purple tag over standard as price difference is negligable.

Apparently its a recognised (sensible) modification for E46 M3s, so what's good for a M3 is good for an Alpina?


Kev
2002 Alpina B3 3.3 #220
2006 E46 M3
1992 E30 M3 (sold - what a twat)
1986 E24 M6 (working on)
Ford Grand C-Max Family Wagon
And lots of other BMWs from the past

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Post by rattusM3 » Sun Sep 24, 2017 10:44 pm

Charles wrote:Interested to see where this goes as, after 304000 miles, I am preparing myself for a replacement rack on the B3S in the next 12 months.

Slight play in the rack and a leaking power steering pipe too, but it just seems to keep going.
Yes, from what I have heard, E46 steering racks are usually very reliable and to have one needing replacement after just 116k is unfortunate - well I say needs replacing - it probably is still fine for a little while yet but I am not happy with the providence of the recon rack fitted and using this as an excuse to try something different.

When I bought the car I noticed the slight play not long after - over rough ground, after going through all the invoices again I noticed over a six month period that pretty much all the front suspension parts (minus dampers/springs) had been replaced and only realised this included the steering rack.
I suspect the previous owner has been trying to cure this problem and nobody had suggested the steering column itself - hence the replacement recon rack which I now assume was fine all along?

Kev
2002 Alpina B3 3.3 #220
2006 E46 M3
1992 E30 M3 (sold - what a twat)
1986 E24 M6 (working on)
Ford Grand C-Max Family Wagon
And lots of other BMWs from the past

ali
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Post by ali » Sun Sep 24, 2017 11:56 pm

Certainly worth it on an E30 as it takes about an entire revolution off the lock to lock
Last edited by ali on Mon Sep 25, 2017 12:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by greenelekta » Mon Sep 25, 2017 12:14 am

Did this on my z3m Coupe and it does make a difference
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Post by rattusM3 » Fri Sep 29, 2017 8:56 pm

Well, I now have my steering rack, just waiting for the right time to fit it once my replacement pipe arrives.

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Kev
2002 Alpina B3 3.3 #220
2006 E46 M3
1992 E30 M3 (sold - what a twat)
1986 E24 M6 (working on)
Ford Grand C-Max Family Wagon
And lots of other BMWs from the past

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Post by rattusM3 » Sun Nov 12, 2017 6:21 pm

Well, finally managed to fit the rack and a new pressure hose which was starting to weep. Despite using my original arms/tie-rods its amazing how off centre the steering wheel is. It is enough for the steering sensor to think the car is understeering whilst the wheel is being turned in which the DSC wants to turn itself off.

Booked in for the a full wheel alignment tomorrow, so will have to reset an fault codes currently stored.

Kev
2002 Alpina B3 3.3 #220
2006 E46 M3
1992 E30 M3 (sold - what a twat)
1986 E24 M6 (working on)
Ford Grand C-Max Family Wagon
And lots of other BMWs from the past

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Post by bss325i » Sun Nov 12, 2017 7:42 pm

I have done this upgrade on an M3 for a customer and it does make a nice difference.
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Post by polynesian2 » Sun Nov 12, 2017 8:57 pm

I'm following with interest. Have my Kelly Bray refurbished purple rack ready to go on in 3 weeks. I'm a little concerned that it will remove some of the Alpina trademark stable steering at high speed, but as I don't commute in the car daily on the autobahn, it's not really an issue. It will at least be much improved over a 160k 17 year old component.
Last edited by polynesian2 on Sun Nov 12, 2017 10:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: I think its time for a purple tag

Post by Charles » Sun Nov 12, 2017 10:01 pm

rattusM3 wrote:I know that Alpina always used the SE version for its creations, but I do wonder why they never specced the purple tag rack rather than keep with the standard as they were uprating the suspension anyway.
Interesting!

I was under the B3S the other week and it appears that ALPINA chose to run with a purple tag on the uprated E46 rather than the SE version on the 3.3
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order ;)
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!

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Post by rattusM3 » Mon Nov 13, 2017 11:30 pm

polynesian2 wrote:I'm following with interest. Have my Kelly Bray refurbished purple rack ready to go on in 3 weeks. I'm a little concerned that it will remove some of the Alpina trademark stable steering at high speed, but as I don't commute in the car daily on the autobahn, it's not really an issue. It will at least be much improved over a 160k 17 year old component.
ditto ... :wink:
2002 Alpina B3 3.3 #220
2006 E46 M3
1992 E30 M3 (sold - what a twat)
1986 E24 M6 (working on)
Ford Grand C-Max Family Wagon
And lots of other BMWs from the past

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Re: I think its time for a purple tag

Post by rattusM3 » Mon Nov 13, 2017 11:35 pm

Charles wrote:
rattusM3 wrote:I know that Alpina always used the SE version for its creations, but I do wonder why they never specced the purple tag rack rather than keep with the standard as they were uprating the suspension anyway.
Interesting!

I was under the B3S the other week and it appears that ALPINA chose to run with a purple tag on the uprated E46 rather than the SE version on the 3.3

Mmmm, does that mean Simon's B3s also has a purple tag fitted? :)
simon13 wrote:whats the difference half a turn lock to lock? I've never found the E46 to be slow steered when you need to get the lock on quick!
2002 Alpina B3 3.3 #220
2006 E46 M3
1992 E30 M3 (sold - what a twat)
1986 E24 M6 (working on)
Ford Grand C-Max Family Wagon
And lots of other BMWs from the past

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Charles
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Re: I think its time for a purple tag

Post by Charles » Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:04 am

rattusM3 wrote:Mmmm, does that mean Simon's B3s also has a purple tag fitted? :)
I would assume so
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order ;)
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!

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