I think its time for a purple tag
I think its time for a purple tag
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
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)
Ford Grand C-Max Family Wagon
And lots of other BMWs from the past
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
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.
Slight play in the rack and a leaking power steering pipe too, but it just seems to keep going.
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!
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!
Mmmm, I always thought the rack on my M3 was a little slow and I think the same for the Alpina as well.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!
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
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
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.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.
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
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
- greenelekta
- ALPINA
- Posts: 1233
- Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2012 9:36 am
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
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
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
I have done this upgrade on an M3 for a customer and it does make a nice difference.
B10 V8/1 #81 plus a few other BMW's.
Previously enjoyed
E46 B3 3.3 coupe #274
E60 B5 #329
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #450
E92 B3 Biturbo #185
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #114
E34 B10 Biturbo #445
E36 B3 3.0 switchtronic coupe #185
E46 B3S convertible #34
Many other BMW's
Previously enjoyed
E46 B3 3.3 coupe #274
E60 B5 #329
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #450
E92 B3 Biturbo #185
E46 B3 3.3 Saloon #114
E34 B10 Biturbo #445
E36 B3 3.0 switchtronic coupe #185
E46 B3S convertible #34
Many other BMW's
-
- ALPI
- Posts: 365
- Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:31 pm
- Location: UK
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.
Re: I think its time for a purple tag
Interesting!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.
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!
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!
ditto ...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.
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
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
Re: I think its time for a purple tag
Charles wrote:Interesting!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.
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
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
Re: I think its time for a purple tag
I would assume sorattusM3 wrote:Mmmm, does that mean Simon's B3s also has a purple tag fitted?
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!
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!