E46 Steering Coupler Advice

[Hazzy 59]

Went for a warrant today and failed on a solid-steering coupler. Knew that purple CMP thing would get me out one day. If it was silver I think it might of snuck through. Thought I would be ok as I have passed a couple of warrants now with it installed.

Basically I need to replace this part now and have a couple of choices.

1. LPSR Aftermarket Steering coupler

https://www.steeringlpsr.com/product-page/bmw-e46-uni-joint-steering-column-linkage-1

Go with the above option which might hold up better than the OEM version. Main benefit is replacing the upper U-joint as well which might be cooked on my one. 
I am somewhat concerned I could get pinged on this again though as it's not an OEM part. It looks OEMish but not keen to fail my warrant again on this part. They can ship it with an Australian engineering certification but not sure how helpful that is here in NZ and I am not keen to get a LVV cert just so I can run a slightly upgraded steering coupler.

2. Replace coupler

https://shop.sdeuropean.co.nz/products/n-steer-uni-coupling-32306761571-teilex-32306761571-sd66992?srsltid=AfmBOoqgOop49BrhXy6nqxWJ_o4KoHdpFjRa3BKkB0VP9CpWFEUqkPd3

Probably the simplest option. Don't think I would have any issues but haven't heard of this brand before and am unsure of the quality.

3. Used Coupler

If anyone has a used coupler would be appreciative. They seem to wear out though so might be better off going with a new part. I had a parts car and thought I took this part off for this exact situation but can't seem to find it anywhere 🙃.

 

 

[Eagle 1660]

Yep exactly why i painted my silver and used factory locknuts, i didnt reuse the headshield but that would pretty much fail proof.

Id probably just re-do it then go somewhere else and it would likely pass

1. Looks ok but as you say you don't know if an inspector is going to ping you again. @modz does a solid\slim one for 1\2 the price.

2. Dont see the point in aftermarket for the price difference given unknown quality. I paid $422 for a genuine coupler one about 1 year ago via dealership.

3. Personally i wouldn't want used given the rubber part is likely tired 

[Hazzy 59]

Quote

1. Looks ok but as you say you don't know if an inspector is going to ping you again. @modz does a solid\slim one for 1\2 the price.

Yeah bit of concern especially since the steering thing is the only thing they picked up on so they will probably be giving it a good look. That solid one by @modz looks pretty legit as well, might be worth upgrading from what I have currently got once I've got the WOF.

Ideally I'd go somewhere else but theres only one VTNZ in Queenstown so I haven't got much choice.

Potentially I could get a used one, install that for the WOF then put the old one back and paint it a colour that isn't stupid. 

[Harper 536]

My M3 has always passed WoF with my cmp coupler, but it did get picked up on my compact when I went through the cert process for the engine swap.

18 minutes ago, Hazzy said:

Ideally I'd go somewhere else but theres only one VTNZ in Queenstown so I haven't got much choice.

Go to an independent shop that does WoFs

[Vass 822]

1 hour ago, Harper said:

My M3 has always passed WoF with my cmp coupler, but it did get picked up on my compact when I went through the cert process for the engine swap.

Same (apart from the M3 bit). 

1 hour ago, Hazzy said:

Potentially I could get a used one, install that for the WOF then put the old one back and paint it a colour that isn't stupid. 

Yeah that's what I'd do.

I'm looking to chuck catless headers in mine shortly, currently have a CMP coupler in there but clearance might be tight so got myself one of those slim linkages off @modz just to have on hand. The CMP one got picked up at cert so I'm fine to run that but no idea what would happen at wof if I do end up going with the slim one. No way I'm re-certing it just for that. 

[Hazzy 59]

3 hours ago, Harper said:

My M3 has always passed WoF with my cmp coupler, but it did get picked up on my compact when I went through the cert process for the engine swap.

Go to an independent shop that does WoFs

Yeah first time they picked up mine and it’s been there for a while. 

I’ve got a decent mechanic down here but most of the shops around here seem to just use VTNZ for warrants so not much choice on who to go to unfortunately.

2 hours ago, Vass said:

Same (apart from the M3 bit). 

Yeah that's what I'd do.

I'm looking to chuck catless headers in mine shortly, currently have a CMP coupler in there but clearance might be tight so got myself one of those slim linkages off @modz just to have on hand. The CMP one got picked up at cert so I'm fine to run that but no idea what would happen at wof if I do end up going with the slim one. No way I'm re-certing it just for that. 

I reckon @modz one would be sweet unless they really know what they’re looking for. Worst case just keep your old one and chuck that back in if they decide to be assholes about it since that’s been certed?

Leaning towards getting a used one and swapping it in and out since the other options are $400+ whilst not really changing anything.

[adro 1081]

Bugger. If you got a second hand one in order to get the WOF, maybe you could then put the CMP one back in with the heatshild attached like @Karter16 thread https://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/57571-karter16s-e46-m3-journal/page/7/ ? I haven't installed mine yet so have no experience with how difficult it is to put the heatshield on, would make it very hard to see though. 

 

[Harper 536]

I think you have to modify the heat shield a bit to get it to fit but it's pretty straight forward.

[Karter16 402]

11 minutes ago, Harper said:

I think you have to modify the heat shield a bit to get it to fit but it's pretty straight forward.

yeah from memory I think I had to drill it out slightly, but aside from that was straight forward.