Part Number Riddle

[Jaranya]

Hiya,

I am looking for some help on figuring out which part number is which in a cross reference game. I have heard BMW likes to use different part numbers in different regions and every few years they like to switch part number on certain items to keep everyone on their toes.

The Car: 1992 BMW 320i with RHD
Location: Japan
The part: Rack and pinion unit, or gearbox as they like to call it in Japan.

The part number they gave me here at the local dealer in Japan is 32131095962.

I looked up the part on the Internet for a 325i (I have been told it is basically the same. 320i's were not sold in the US. The majority of the parts fit between the two cars.) The part number I came up with is 32131469273.

Looking at the picture of the latter part number, it pretty much matches up with the one on my car. But obviously I need to be sure.

I have tried to cross reference the part vis Internet resources with no avail. I emailed two different part stores. One in the US, and one in England. The part store in the US told me that the first part number does not exist, and the one in the UK told me the second part number does not exist.

So, can someone that actually has a clue provide an answer? You can imagine the frustration.

Oh, and I am sure people are going to ask why I just don't buy the part here in Japan. Well, the one in the US is about $179 for a rebuilt unit. The one in Japan is over $900. The one from the UK is around $500. (All rebuilt units.)

Yes, i know the Japanese need to put down the crack pipe. Uk folks aren't far behind.

J

[Tim Polzin]

I find this site is helpful for OEM part numbers. They don't list cars from Japan, but do list RHD. I noticed the number you had from the dealer came up in this site. If you insert your Vehicle ID (VIN)number, it should give you an exact match.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/

The 320I was also imported into Canada.

Tim