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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > M3 strut brace



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      11-05-2012, 05:02 AM   #1
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M3 strut brace

Hi,

I'd like to get the M3 strut brace for my E90. I've looked around, and I see HP and ECS selling kits, both around $350. This seems rather steep to me.

I have a 20% discount at the local BMW dealer. I've done a rough sum of the parts for the bar, and this comes out to like $150. Surely, the screws cannot be another $200?

I'm wondering what screws I will need, because I think I read somewhere, that the ones for the M3 don't fit?

Copied from Alpina B3 Lux's thread:

• 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)

These above parts I assume are OK, and I can get them for $150.


• 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)

Alpina says:
You will have to replace the items marked with an (*) as otherwise the brace will interfere with the microfilter assembly. Item 51618046445 can be replaced with two 07119904401 hex bolts.

Are the items with the star the only things that need to be replaced? Or is there anything else?

Do you have to do an alignment after you install the brace? Also, can you keep the retaining pins that hold the shocks in alignment in place, or do you have to remove them?

Thanks.

Last edited by D_o_S; 11-05-2012 at 10:17 AM..
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      11-05-2012, 10:49 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by D_o_S View Post
I'd like to get the M3 strut brace for my E90.

Why install this? It's about the last mod to make - what have you done so far?
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      11-05-2012, 01:23 PM   #3
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I haven't done anything yet, but it's the cheapest mod I can afford AFAIK (should be less than $200, won't need an alignment like with other stuff) and it's a mod I plan to keep forever (unlike if I went with Koni suspension, I'd want to upgrade to Ohlins or Motons or whatever later).

Back on topic please...
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      11-05-2012, 02:05 PM   #4
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CWB's comment is well made - if you upgrade your suspension (particularly using top-end kit like you mentioned) you'll get a far more noticeable improvement, and may even feel the brace is unnecessary.
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      11-05-2012, 02:33 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY View Post
Why install this? It's about the last mod to make - what have you done so far?
Well, in all fairness, the M3 strut brace allows for easier access to the strut tower when adjusting coiloivers and camber plates.
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      11-05-2012, 03:07 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vasillalov View Post
Well, in all fairness, the M3 strut brace allows for easier access to the strut tower when adjusting coiloivers and camber plates.

When OP installs 'em, a plus.

For now, think seriously about Koni FSD's as a first mod. Costs more; delivers much much much more than a tower brace. Understand, stock brace is pretty good in this chassis. Assuming you're pre-2011.

FSD's designed for stock springs, your ride is much improved!
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      11-05-2012, 04:54 PM   #7
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^ have you driven an e90 with fsd's? I see you keep recommending them. I had em for 2 yrs. they're nice but crash through their stroke and provide minimal damping if you hit a sharp bump or pothole hard.
Op- as others said, save your money. That m3 brace won't do a thing for your handling. Dampers and springs will.
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      11-05-2012, 06:04 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cvc 22349a View Post
^ have you driven an e90 with fsd's? I see you keep recommending them. I had em for 2 yrs. they're nice but crash through their stroke and provide minimal damping if you hit a sharp bump or pothole hard.
Op- as others said, save your money. That m3 brace won't do a thing for your handling. Dampers and springs will.

Only occasionally. Seemed light years better than stock w/Potenzas. OTOH, many things do.

Had pothole explosions with stock suspension & non-runflats, but noticeably less than w/RFT's.

Then installed yellows w/linear springs; haven't had a pothole explosion since. Firmer, but very good.

So, yeah, I recommend FSD's as a first mod, opposed to stock, especially with 'sport' suspension or, prob better, BMW Performance springs, thinking many drivers want to go with bang for buck. There are many higher performance setups.
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      11-06-2012, 11:18 AM   #9
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Yes, OK guys I get the point... I did however come here to discuss what hardware I need to mount the brace. I do not need tips on how to spend my money, thank you (no offense).

So, BACK ON TOPIC. What harware do I need to install the brace?
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      03-22-2016, 03:21 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by D_o_S View Post
Yes, OK guys I get the point... I did however come here to discuss what hardware I need to mount the brace. I do not need tips on how to spend my money, thank you (no offense).

So, BACK ON TOPIC. What harware do I need to install the brace?
you ever figure this out? and where did you source those parts for only 150$
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      03-22-2016, 03:56 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ksspacegray07 View Post
you ever figure this out? and where did you source those parts for only 150$
The prices for M parts went significantly up once BMW realized that mostly 335i crowd is using them to build the 335i to be better then the M3. This thread is from 2012. The strut brace kit is now $100/150 more then it was originally.
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