[askme]

So I have an early '08 M3 e93 and the dodgy power steering is the last major thing to address. I have become confident I need to replace the power steering pump. But I have the dreaded clockwise turning model (32412283041) which seem very hard to find and very expensive.

So, I've found a perhaps questionable seller on Amazon that (unlike others) clearly delineates between 32412283002 and 32412283041 models. I am still dubious, but hey, its free shipping and free returns. And at $450 is half the price of OEM ($800-$1100).

So my question is this: is there any physical way to tell if I have received a clockwise or counterclockwise spinning pump?

And no need to lecture me on cheap Chinese parts.