Recondition BMW Steering Rack.

Virtual

I have a 2006 Left Hand drive BMW and I have problems with my steering rack and I don't really want to spend 1000 euro for a new one, can anybody recommend me a good place to recondition them either in Dublin or around Kilkenny area?
Thank you.

Gumbo

I was only talking to a guy about this the other day.
I bought some things for my E39 from him as he was breaking an e39 M5.

Valadas is is name or something similar.

Motor Confidence
Unit 8C
Gateway
Balycoolin
Rosemount Business Park
Dublin 15

Ph. 086-8964573

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=53.402586,-6.351503&ll=53.402605,-6.351213&spn=0.003652,0.010568&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=6.881357,14.941406&num=1&t=h&vpsrc=6&z=17

exador

I assume the one he is breaking is LHD ?

Gumbo

exador wrote: »

I assume the one he is breaking is LHD ?

Nope, makes no difference as the OP is looking to get his own one reconditioned. The guy in MC has a place they send the racks to, to get the reconditioned.

exador

kceire wrote: »

Nope, makes no difference as the OP is looking to get his own one reconditioned. The guy in MC has a place they send the racks to, to get the reconditioned.

Sorry I took you up wrong so...I thought you meant he could get second hand one from the one he was breaking......

Gumbo

exador wrote: »

Sorry I took you up wrong so...I thought you meant he could get second hand one from the one he was breaking......

agh right, no i was only putting that in as a reason why i had their details.
Its actually a proper garage, the guy was doing two engine swaps on 2 E30's while i was there!

bmstuff

kceire wrote: »

agh right, no i was only putting that in as a reason why i had their details.
Its actually a proper garage, the guy was doing two engine swaps on 2 E30's while i was there!

You mean the big guy that has a blue e36 M3?

Virtual

Thank you for the info, I will certainly give him a call, I am still looking for other options if everybody knows just in case it doesn't work out with that.
I have found something about an aftermarket new steering rack for around 550 euro and I am trying to see if I can get that delivered into Ireland.

Notch000

http://www.partsgateway.co.uk/

online breakers that deliver world wide

I got a e36 steering rack off these guys a couple of years ago, was only around 70E !!

bmstuff

Virtual87 wrote: »

Thank you for the info, I will certainly give him a call, I am still looking for other options if everybody knows just in case it doesn't work out with that.
I have found something about an aftermarket new steering rack for around 550 euro and I am trying to see if I can get that delivered into Ireland.

Be careful with aftermarket, only go with the original manufacturer that provided the part to BMW, most aftermarket parts are not as strong and reliable as the original one. There are exceptions, but most of the time, you will regret it.

Virtual

I know what you mean but the best price I found so far is 1000 euro for the OE one. So I am thinking about it because its almost half price for the aftermarket one, is not a difference of 150 euro which I would consider you know what I mean?
@Notch000, thank you for that, I already signed up with them and I will check tomorrow for any answer.

Gumbo

bmstuff wrote: »

You mean the big guy that has a blue e36 M3?

Very possible, i dont know what he drives tbh.

Virtual87 wrote: »

Thank you for the info, I will certainly give him a call, I am still looking for other options if everybody knows just in case it doesn't work out with that.
I have found something about an aftermarket new steering rack for around 550 euro and I am trying to see if I can get that delivered into Ireland.

It was said to me that an existing steering rack can be reconditioned for approx 200e or under, so i would deffo give him a call to discuss or better still, drop out to him as English is not his first language and may be a barrier over the phone.

BavarianCare

Virtual87 wrote: »

I know what you mean but the best price I found so far is 1000 euro for the OE one. So I am thinking about it because its almost half price for the aftermarket one, is not a difference of 150 euro which I would consider you know what I mean?
@Notch000, thank you for that, I already signed up with them and I will check tomorrow for any answer.

Have you last 7 of chassis number or the current BMW part number of rack you need?
Kind Regards,
Eddie.

bmstuff

Check out www.bmminiparts.com too, they have lots of OEM parts for a lot cheaper that dealers usually, I believe they buy unwanted stock/cancelled orders from dealers all over the UK. I stand corrected.

Virtual

I will try to talk to him to see whats the story. I have found a way to import a part from Germany for around 480 euro brand new but its not OEM, its made by TRW. Now from my research it turns out that they supply the part anyway to BMW so im confused a bit why the OEM one would be more expensive. But I think its a rather good price compared to about 1300-1400 how much an OEM one would cost. Anybody knows something about TRW?

bmstuff

Virtual87 wrote: »

I will try to talk to him to see whats the story. I have found a way to import a part from Germany for around 480 euro brand new but its not OEM, its made by TRW. Now from my research it turns out that they supply the part anyway to BMW so im confused a bit why the OEM one would be more expensive. But I think its a rather good price compared to about 1300-1400 how much an OEM one would cost. Anybody knows something about TRW?

Yes TRW is a major automotive manufacturer and indeed many TRW parts are fitted from factory on your car.
Yes the price between BMW and the original part manufacturer is about 50%
BMW make very little parts really, a part from the body, engine blocks. They don't even make the numerous gaskets that go into the engine, A single BMW car has more than 100 manufacturers providing the parts for a single model.

In 90% of the cases, you can get the aftermarket part, some sensors though are made by BMW themselves, and even though some companies like Bilstein make the equivalent sensor for example, the quality and accuracy is not up to scratch compared to BMW.

Also it is to be noted that BMW parts come with a 2 years warranty, while the original manufacturer, like TRW, Lucas, Bosh, NGK, Lemforder, Behr, Sachs, Brembo, etc usually have a longer warranty, even life warranty with many of them actually.
If I a not mistaken, Behr, the manufacturer of the radiators for BMW has actually a lifetime warranty on it.

This is usually little known by owners, but that is what it is.

I'd say go for it.