Help with sons E30

[Spanglepants]

Hi, wondering if we can get some advice here please.
My son has a 1989 318i that needs the steering rack and pump replacing. Sounds straight forward but its getting confusing on ordering the right part .
Just about every one that we've found online,same year etc, all have different varying part numbers? He's also been told they're interchangeable but certain parts of the number must still match ? Can anyone help with this ?
Thanks

[darreni]

Spanglepants said:

Hi, wondering if we can get some advice here please.
My son has a 1989 318i that needs the steering rack and pump replacing. Sounds straight forward but its getting confusing on ordering the right part .
Just about every one that we've found online,same year etc, all have different varying part numbers? He's also been told they're interchangeable but certain parts of the number must still match ? Can anyone help with this ?
Thanks

Call your local BMW dealer parts dept & get a quote based on the chassis no. BMW may be less than you think & it will also provide the correct part no.

Alternatively, use real OEM for parts lookup:

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select?product=P&...

[Mark-insert old BMW]

Where are you based OP?

[duncancallum]

Id suggest linwar motors in southport

Do a lot of earlier bmws and parts

[The Conflated Outlier]

The problem with the E30 is that the last one was made 30 years ago, the PAS racks are NLA from BMW and the recon ones are basically junk. E30 racks are known for leaks past the seals either end in old age.

Long term, the smart move is to convert to an E46 rack. They are vastly more durable and are about a whole turn faster lock to lock - the E30 drives so much better with one fitted.

It's not a straight swap and you do need a fairly expensive conversion kit with pipes and so on but once done, it's done and should you need a replacement rack, they are fifty quid a pop.

I think you use the E36 318i PAS pump.

I got a kit from this guy plus a £60 'purple tag' rack.

https://www.facebook.com/bmconversionsuk/?locale=e...