[madmanhiker]

for those who have been on the fence - and have adjustable coil-overs...... just do it. The install is a little bit of a PITA but it's worth it. I bought mine from steven26 (m3 board) and it's a marked improvement plus there are functional benefits aforementioned. If you have a vented hood - even more reason to get this to keep water from sitting atop the strut perch and rusting fittings.... either way, it's a great mod which improves upon the m-sport flimsy cross brace.

The oem m-sport cross brace is a single bar with one point of contact on either end... the new brace is beefy at the firewall (one solid piece) and the strut connection goes from a single bolt to 3 bolts and a solid collar. This will improve body rigidity, turn-in, and prevent cupping. Very pleased indeed.

one last thing, the kit I received bolted right in - no dremel required for that odd cap issue some have seen. It's a true bolt-on kit.



I used this link as an installation guide.

[deemarr 335i]

How much was the brace ?

[madmanhiker]

I believe I paid $300 shipped, but you can buy the whole thing from getBMWparts dot com for $335:


http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

[badblkX6]

Thanks for posting and happy to hear that you are satisfied with the results.
Your engine bay is really clean. Haha

[ZROFCKSGVN]

i wonder if this works alike for n54 engines

[madmanhiker]

Originally Posted by ZROFCKSGVN

i wonder if this works alike for n54 engines

I don't see why not... this isn't an n54/55 thing. this is an oem m3 part that should fit either way, in fact I'm 99% sure it's perfect for any e9x.

[madmanhiker]

Originally Posted by badblk335i

Thanks for posting and happy to hear that you are satisfied with the results.
Your engine bay is really clean. Haha

u makin fun of my garage queen??? lol

[badblkX6]

Originally Posted by madmanhiker

u makin fun of my garage queen??? lol

Nope, I'm jealous.

[ZROFCKSGVN]

Originally Posted by madmanhiker

I don't see why not... this isn't an n54/55 thing. this is an oem m3 part that should fit either way, in fact I'm 99% sure it's perfect for any e9x.

nice, thanks for the info!

[deemarr 335i]

Originally Posted by madmanhiker

I believe I paid $300 shipped, but you can buy the whole thing from getBMWparts dot com for $335:


http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

Thanks bro, it looks good.

[CJ421]

I've had this installed for a while now, and will say the only benefit is simplified access to the strut tops for coilovers w/ adjustment knobs. Otherwise it's ineffectual; our chassis are so stiff an addition like this has no benefit.

[madmanhiker]

Originally Posted by CJ421

I've had this installed for a while now, and will say the only benefit is simplified access to the strut tops for coilovers w/ adjustment knobs. Otherwise it's ineffectual; our chassis are so stiff an addition like this has no benefit.

I can see that, but bear in mind that you are full m3 suspension. I'm about 50% there... but the added bonus of easy access to c/o adjustment screws and the cap is darn near priceless.

[Ph0zenstone]

How did you get th firewall bolt off? I am having trouble even with a 14mm 12-Pt socket

[madmanhiker]

Originally Posted by phozenstone

How did you get th firewall bolt off? I am having trouble even with a 14mm 12-Pt socket

it was a PITA.

My trick was to use a 14mm 12-pt socket on a 3/8" craftsman ratchet... what I REALLY needed at the time (and you do 'now') is more torque and leverage.

If you have a 1/2" breaker bar and a step-up for ur 14mm socket (I assume 3/8 drive) u will be fine. I did not have a 3/8 to 1/2 step up......

so... I used my 3/8" ratchet and a larger open-ended wrench and slid the circular end onto the ratchet handle to create more leverage and torque... it worked.

So... u have 2 options... get creative with ur tools, or... get the step-up and a 1/2" breaker bar and be done with it.


once u get the 14mm bolt off... then the real fun begins getting the new piece in.

[Ph0zenstone]

Originally Posted by madmanhiker

it was a PITA.

My trick was to use a 14mm 12-pt socket on a 3/8" craftsman ratchet... what I REALLY needed at the time (and you do 'now') is more torque and leverage.

If you have a 1/2" breaker bar and a step-up for ur 14mm socket (I assume 3/8 drive) u will be fine. I did not have a 3/8 to 1/2 step up......

so... I used my 3/8" ratchet and a larger open-ended wrench and slid the circular end onto the ratchet handle to create more leverage and torque... it worked.

So... u have 2 options... get creative with ur tools, or... get the step-up and a 1/2" breaker bar and be done with it.


once u get the 14mm bolt off... then the real fun begins getting the new piece in.

cool i'll have to try it later tonight. I have a feeling the place that installed my coilovers overtightened this bolt. I am getting a small creaking noise over small bumps that I can definately tell is not coming from the struts, but rather from the center of the firewall. I just hope i don't strip the damn thing. Do you know what the actual TORX size is?

[madmanhiker]

E14 External Torx socket

See here:
http://billswebspace.com/335M3StrutB...stallation.htm

[Ph0zenstone]

E14 looks like its the two side bolts though...I was referring to the center bolt. The guy in the link said its bigger than E16? I'm having trouble finding anything about the center bolt....may have to just try a bunch at autozone

[madmanhiker]

For the center bolt, I used a 12pt 14mm craftman 3/8 drive socket from the NEW Craftsman MAXX Access Mechanics set - only $58 and it's a great set. Again, for more leverage u need a larger wrench to lasso around the ratchet handle to get more leverage and torque.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-5...1&blockType=G1

[sle39lvr]

Any driving impressions?

[madmanhiker]

Originally Posted by sle39lvr

Any driving impressions?

not really yet, but I know the rigidity is tons better just based on the differences between the 335 sport brace and the m3 hardware. Night and day in comparison, so when pushed hard, I am sure it has an effect. daily driving, can't tell...