[mob17]

I don't get this. Probably me being stupid.

Are you using the stock strut bars with the 1m rings on the end? Or are you fitting a new strut bar/brace?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by mob17

I don't get this. Probably me being stupid.

Are you using the stock strut bars with the 1m rings on the end? Or are you fitting a new strut bar/brace?

Correct! This is how BMW did the M1 strut bar. They copied my design😂 Damn it!

[feuer]

Originally Posted by david in germany

Could you please do me a favor? Please take a magnet to your stock bars. In both my 09s and my 2011 the stock bars are steel. I would really like to know when they may have changed them to aluminum and which model. My e87 2009 they are steel. My 2009 335i are steel and my wife's 2011 328i are steel.

Someone else already ask me this. I have not checked with a magnet but the bars look aluminum to me. I cut and mended then with hand house tools, something I was not going to be able to do if they were steel. Additionally, the cuts have not rusted and they have been unprotected for a while. However, I will check soon and report back.

[mob17]

Originally Posted by feuer

Correct! This is how BMW did the M1 strut bar. They copied my design😂 Damn it!

So you're using the stock bars from your current non-M and just adding 1m rings to the ends?

[david in germany]

Originally Posted by feuer

Someone else already ask me this. I have not checked with a magnet but the bars look aluminum to me. I cut and mended then with hand house tools, something I was not going to be able to do if they were steel. Additionally, the cuts have not rusted and they have been unprotected for a while. However, I will check soon and report back.

Thanks!

[feuer]

Originally Posted by mob17

So you're using the stock bars from your current non-M and just adding 1m rings to the ends?

Yes sir! Exactly that!

Originally Posted by mob17

So you're using the stock bars from your current non-M and just adding 1m rings to the ends?

Check "Fits these cars" in the link:
https://www.ecstuning.com/ES2217652/

You can source the rings from all versions of the M3 as well.

[mob17]

Thanks Fueur and cobra.

So by connecting the stock strut bars to 3 points at each corner, instead of 1, it makes a big difference?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by mob17

Thanks Fueur and cobra.

So by connecting the stock strut bars to 3 points at each corner, instead of 1, it makes a big difference?

the non M mounting point is actually better because is directly on the chassis, but we need to work we what we have.

[big_ed]

Just to make sure, how many of the specialty locking nuts do we need to order? Thanks.

[stashtrey]

OP...any chance you can post some closer pics of the link to mount so we can see how you flattened and shaped it together? Would love to see that and take this project on. Awesome work and thinking! Love stuff like this.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by big_ed

Just to make sure, how many of the specialty locking nuts do we need to order? Thanks.

6 m3 strut mount nuts.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by david in germany

Thanks!

The bars are getting picked up by magnet so they are not aluminum, sorry for the misinformation. However, the do not rust and the material is fairly soft which made me believe is aluminum.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by stashtrey

OP...any chance you can post some closer pics of the link to mount so we can see how you flattened and shaped it together? Would love to see that and take this project on. Awesome work and thinking! Love stuff like this.

I will try but is easy enough for you to visualize it if you are a little bit mechanically inclined. The bars are oval, round. They need to be flat to sit correctly on the rings. Also the studs on the rings are not long enough to clear the bars unless the bar is flattened.

[david in germany]

Originally Posted by feuer

The bars are getting picked up by magnet so they are not aluminum, sorry for the misinformation. However, the do not rust and the material is fairly soft which made me believe is aluminum.

Thank you very much for the follow up! I was starting to believe that I have 3 oddball cars!

[mike082802]

prices went up a little bit, with shipping i found the parts listed for around 180$ just saw ecs has the entire kit for 245 free shipping which i dont think is too bad.

https://www.ecstuning.com/ES2795110/...-bzRoCjJvw_wcB

[feuer]

Originally Posted by mike082802

prices went up a little bit, with shipping i found the parts listed for around 180$ just saw ecs has the entire kit for 245 free shipping which i dont think is too bad.

https://www.ecstuning.com/ES2795110/...-bzRoCjJvw_wcB

Correct, if you have 1 or 2 series. The links in that kit might be to short for 3 series.

[big_ed]

I just did this mod, and will say that I love it. While others say, it is not a drastic improvement and/or not very noticeable; I insist it has transformed my car!

Both left and right front struts work in unison now that the M braces are in place.High speed movements are more controlled and give a sense of confidence. Left to right movements/roll at both low and high speeds is drastically reduced.

Again, left and right strut "feel" as if they are working in unison...

If I can offer more clarity, an example of the above would be when entering a street from a turn or at an angle...where either wheel enters the street first - Now suppose the street you are entering is slightly inclined...

The M brace removes the tumble feeling that my car would get....kind of a left to right wobble feeling while entering the street. Whatever if you don't understand... means your car isn't slammed...LOL

Anywho, great mod on the cheap. GO DO IT!

FYI flattening out the stock strut brace bars was a b*tch!

[feuer]

Originally Posted by big_ed

FYI flattening out the stock strut brace bars was a b*tch!

That is why I applied heat.

I'm glad you aRe happy with the results.

[BB_cuda]

Feuer, did you put the central aluminum V shaped piece in? Picture not too clear there. I presume yes. I've found a partial setup from bone yard and only missing one of the straight pieces. Your idea has me thinking of converting my black straight pieces over but i would want to bolt to the central v piece.

thanks and sorry for digging up a 15 month old thread.

EDIT: I read from another place and now understand you 1 series guys use the stock black ends bolted directly to central bolt. So, there is no central V used. thanks anyway

[BB_cuda]

Originally Posted by big_ed

I just did this mod, and will say that I love it. While others say, it is not a drastic improvement and/or not very noticeable; I insist it has transformed my car!

Both left and right front struts work in unison now that the M braces are in place.High speed movements are more controlled and give a sense of confidence. Left to right movements/roll at both low and high speeds is drastically reduced.

Again, left and right strut "feel" as if they are working in unison...

If I can offer more clarity, an example of the above would be when entering a street from a turn or at an angle...where either wheel enters the street first - Now suppose the street you are entering is slightly inclined...

The M brace removes the tumble feeling that my car would get....kind of a left to right wobble feeling while entering the street. Whatever if you don't understand... means your car isn't slammed...LOL

Anywho, great mod on the cheap. GO DO IT!

FYI flattening out the stock strut brace bars was a b*tch!

Wouldn't a vice do the trick?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

Feuer, did you put the central aluminum V shaped piece in? Picture not too clear there. I presume yes. I've found a partial setup from bone yard and only missing one of the straight pieces. Your idea has me thinking of converting my black straight pieces over but i would want to bolt to the central v piece.

thanks and sorry for digging up a 15 month old thread.

EDIT: I read from another place and now understand you 1 series guys use the stock black ends bolted directly to central bolt. So, there is no central V used. thanks anyway

Correct, my setup as well as M1 doesn't utilize the V aluminum piece.