[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by GreekboyD

Thanks for inquiring Rob. All is fine with the M3 strut brace kit.

Vorshlag camber plates not so much.

Just responded to your Vorshlag plates thread.

[GreekboyD]

Loving it.

View post on imgur.com

[sle39lvr]

Great review.

I got M3 bits front and back. I am going after the best steering feel/response.
I still feel the center feel could improve a lot and overall more feel could be used. Would this strut brace take me in the right direction?

[modernbeat]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Just responded to your Vorshlag plates thread.

Not sure if this was the issue, but we've seen a number of people use the M3 brace on a non-M3. Apparently it barely fits with the non-M3 strut top nuts, but will not fit when using the non-M3 nuts and our camber plates.

The M3 brace has special strut top nuts that HP enclose in their kit. The brace works better with those OEM M3 nuts. And, the brace WILL work with the Vorshlag camber plates as long as you have those nuts.

[stressdoc]

You have to wonder why BMW did not make the M3 brace standard on the 335, at least with ZSP or si.

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by robc1976

Sorry to bump up a old thread but I need some info...I have all M3 bits but have a "cusco strut brace" and want to upgrade to the M3 strut brace...

Sorry from me too for bumping this! Did you get the M3 brace in the end? I'm torn between it and a two point one, like the Cusco or Racing Dynamics.

From what I have read, the advantage of the M3 one is that it's 3 point, like the existing one, so it's supposed to be more rigid that a two point version? But the two point ones, I see that they still keep the OEM brace, as flimsy as it may be, so I was thinking that may negate the downside of not being a 3 point?

Trying to figure out if it's worth spending another $100 on top of a two point brace from RD, and the extra hassle it seems to be to install the M3 one...

Here's an RD installed pic closeup:



And the Cusco one doesn't seem bad actually, since it seems to install using more than one bolt (compared to the RD):

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Sorry from me too for bumping this! Did you get the M3 brace in the end? I'm torn between it and a two point one, like the Cusco or Racing Dynamics.

From what I have read, the advantage of the M3 one is that it's 3 point, like the existing one, so it's supposed to be more rigid that a two point version? But the two point ones, I see that they still keep the OEM brace, as flimsy as it may be, so I was thinking that may negate the downside of not being a 3 point?

Trying to figure out if it's worth spending another $100 on top of a two point brace from RD, and the extra hassle it seems to be to install the M3 one...

Here's an RD installed pic closeup:



And the Cusco one doesn't seem bad actually, since it seems to install using more than one bolt (compared to the RD):

I got the M3 then went to bmw performance

[Fundguy1]

Debating getting this or one of the aftermarket braces like a turner setup. Anyone able to compare and contrast the two? RobC?

[gtaccord]

I have read that the BMS Catch Can will not fit on the M3 brace. Is this true? Can anyone confirm this?

[raceyBMW]

Originally Posted by gtaccord

I have read that the BMS Catch Can will not fit on the M3 brace. Is this true? Can anyone confirm this?

I would have a hard time seeing why it wouldn't fit, might push down on the unit a little bit, but should work. Maybe the top clamp cant fit over the bar? You could always zip tie in that case.

I like the M3 just because it makes it so much easier to get to the camber plate adjustments.

RobC is this you?

[gtaccord]

I had read that the top clamp wouldn't fit over the bar since it is a different shape.

[Blaster400]

Originally Posted by gtaccord

I have read that the BMS Catch Can will not fit on the M3 brace. Is this true? Can anyone confirm this?

Not true. I have the BMS OCC attached to my M3 strut brace with no issues.

[Lotus99]

@robc1976 (or anyone else who knows )... so then I take it that a two point brace, as long as you're keeping the OEM one in place too, sounds like it's as good as the M3's three point setup?

If you had to then pick a two point one, any comments on the RD vs. Cusco? The RD looks beefier, but seems to attach with one bolt only, vs. the Cusco's thinner, but has 3 bolts per side...

[ibo]

Originally Posted by Blaster400

Not true. I have the BMS OCC attached to my M3 strut brace with no issues.

+1 on this. I have the exact same setup in my car with no issues.

[gtaccord]

Originally Posted by ibo

+1 on this. I have the exact same setup in my car with no issues.

Great! Thanks.

[DR-JEKL]

Ok guys I have this brace from a M3:



What are the nuts etc I need from alpina's list to install it on my 335i?

• 51617900821 Ring, dome cross-brace, left
• 51617900822 Ring, dome cross-brace, right
• 51618044553 Strut brace (you need two of those)
• 51618045860 Mount for strut brace
• 51617891281 Covering cap (you need two of those)
• 51618046445 Stud (two of those) *
• 51717898374 Stud (4 of those) *
• 07119904401 Hex bolt (2)
• 07146954965 ASA-Bolt with circlip (not needed, can be re-used from existing brace)
• 07146963730 Torx bolt (2)
• 51717895241 Hex nut (6)
• 31316769731 Self-locking collar nut (6)

[feuer]

Originally Posted by DR-JEKL

• 51717895241 Hex nut (6)

you need 6 of those, about $9 each

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by feuer

you need 6 of those, about $9 each

Cheers thanks for your help!!

For some reason I thought I needed some other spacers/nuts other than the 6 nuts which fasten the strut brace?

[Fundguy1]

Nope. Just put mine in. The brace makes the car feel much tighter and crisper up front. I really like it. I think maybe I had more flex than most because I have an convertible.

[Cloud9blue]

Originally Posted by feuer

you need 6 of those, about $9 each

Lol. Only BMW has the guts to charge $9 for a simple hex nut.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

Lol. Only BMW has the guts to charge $9 for a simple hex nut.

If wasn't for you I wasn't even going to know about these nuts and as usually I was going to make my home made 1M brace be bigger hack job. Thank you! My weekend went easier because I consult you. Now about the price:
I will say it again, BMW is overprized brand, nothing special, every day, common vehicle, and on top they think M is sacred hence the price. I have connections with fee parts suppliers in the area, so not shops or parts stores, but suppliers that move parts from the manufacturer to shops and auto parts stores and found out that similar nuts for other brands are in $1.5 to $3 range. The M3 strut bar is $400 �� and I wouldn't consider it even if BMW sends it to my house with a technician to install it incuded.

[Cloud9blue]

Originally Posted by feuer

If wasn't for you I wasn't even going to know about these nuts and as usually I was going to make my home made 1M brace be bigger hack job. Thank you! My weekend went easier because I consult you. Now about the price:
I will say it again, BMW is overprized brand, nothing special, every day, common vehicle, and on top they think M is sacred hence the price. I have connections with fee parts suppliers in the area, so not shops or parts stores, but suppliers that move parts from the manufacturer to shops and auto parts stores and found out that similar nuts for other brands are in $1.5 to $3 range. The M3 strut bar is $400 �� and I wouldn't consider it even if BMW sends it to my house with a technician to install it incuded.

Overpriced, hell yes. But plenty of people still pays for it, including us . So I guess their pricing strategy works quite well in their favor.