Just got a bit of bad news
 

Well I just picked my 325is up at the mechanic, (had the rear bearings replaced, doing the front myself) anyway, after paying that 400.00 dollar bill he tells me that the leak in the front end is a bad steering rack and weeping oil pan. The oil pan I can live with by increasing oil grade and its only a drip or two every few days. The rack needs attention.
He qouted me 575.00 for the existing to be rebuilt and put back in. My question is, how difficult is it to replace with a Z3 rack? I would like something more responsive and would love to do it myself. I know this is
something that can be done, but I dont know the specifics, like parts list and technique. DIY is therapy for someone like me, but messing up a perfectly running car isnt.
Also, what should be replaced at the same time as a rack. Thanks in advance, I dont really know what avenue to take here:runaway

That sucks. I think that you shouldn't replace it with a z3 rack, just find a E30 M3 rack and put it on it will be easier and you won't have to modify anything just throw it on there. Becuase the E30 M3 is basically the same car as yours, it will end up being much easier.

I have heard it done before, and have heard good things, but don't know all the things needed. Good Luck.

Thanks, I just thought that I might as well turn a bad, i.e. expensive situation into a performance upgrade. I have also "heard" it done, just no specifics, anything can be done with the right wallet. We'll see.

yea, I'm sure that the E30 M3 steering rack shouldn't cost that much.

The z3 is practically a bolt on application, You might need to do a little work on the firewall to make it fit. I think that this application can also be had for less money then an m3 part (Anything M3 is expensive), and you can get down to a 2.7 -3.0 Turn Lock to lock and probably a lot more responsive steering feel, you can also substitute and e36 rack I think with about the same amount of work and can probably find the parts cheaper.

I think Numark has replaced his with a z3 steering rack but I may be wrong. Let me do a little hunting I think there are some DIYs out there.

Edit: Here is a DIY I found. http://www.rmeuropean.com/bmw-steering-rack.html, I think besides what this says it pretty much bolts right up.

Edit 2 here is a place with the parts and instructions, might be able to get the parts cheaper though, Might try Tischer BMW (our sponsor) and see what they can do for you http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/s...egory_Code=CKS

Similar situation myself..had to replace the offside rear bearing, but ended up having to replace the rear trailing arm, hub and drive shaft. Picked one up from a salvage yard for good money though, so wasn't too bad.

As for the steering rack, I'm needing a new one too. I picked up a second hand one for about $150 and the mechanic is going to put it in for an hours labour, so shouldn't be too much. Have some new tie rods I picked up for $60 for both.