If you are driving/ parking around town, then ps is far more comfortable specially with 205/55/16” upfront (quite different to 195/70/14’s) with manual box (I have the same setup) it’s quite a tough one from 0-5 kmph after which it’s just great. Far better feedback than with the antiquated ps system used in the E9’s. As you pointed out, you have to have extensively driven both versions to make a qualified recommendation.
If you keep the ps try changing the steering coupler to a polyurathene one, maybe also the front Suspension bushings, again with polyurethane and you’ll feel a dramatic difference with it all feeling a lot tighter.
Ireland Engineering has a huge assortment of polyurethane bushings for the E9 and the more you replace, the tighter the whole steering/ suspension feels. Engine mounts, transmission mounts, suspension bushings.........
Some folks have said that it’s all a bit too harsh for daily drives, I think it makes all the difference, positively speaking.
As far as manual box ratios are concerned, the only one likely to be found has a 16.4:1 ratio, as you had in your Bavaria. Thats also the one used in street Csl’s. Theres a longer one which was in some of the Euro 2.5CS (19.1:1) but finding one of those will be difficult, apart from wanting a tighter ratio which the E3/ E9’s had.
And ofcourse, there are surely more opinions that will follow.....
Keshav