[Simbl]

Hey guys, spotted this brace on eBay. I have noticed a few QMS products coming out such as strut bars which seem to be designed better than most unless you buy their cheapest items. One of their strut braces is solid with gussets over the top mount which seems like a good design.

Anyway they have a rear “strut” brace which seems again a better design in terms of stiffness picture below.

Has anyone run a rear strut/brace support. On the m3 forums are some good reviews on various items. But alot of people say it’s pointless.

I have done a lot on the front of the car, e93 top mount>subframe brace, braces in the subframe, strut bar. But nothing on the rear.


What do we think?

[Simbl]

Another option from ultra racing who don’t have the best thought out design have this brace picture below. It ties in the front rear subframe with the tank strap mounts and to the centre brace. I already have the OEM brace on my e92 but this does look like it would be stiffer and it is tied the same way the f80/f82 m3/m4 braces do.

[Simbl]

One more option is this transmission tunnel brace which is a common brace point on many sports cars in is used in f and g series cars. It the biggest opening in the transmission tunnel.

[NikMN]

Only difference you going to feel in your dd is wallet getting lighter.

[335i54n]

imo almost all braces help, whether it worth it to you is subjective. the rear m3 braces looks good (though non m3 require rivnuts iirc), already have the x1 brace but like that rear design for more fuel tank protection, and possibly fab aero panels to attach too. front one not sure on my n54 exhaust fitment and probably least impactful of the 3

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by NikMN

Only difference you going to feel in your dd is wallet getting lighter.

Which ones did you fit?

I found the front bracing has made the car much more enjoyable to drive on fun roads.

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by 335i54n

imo almost all braces help, whether it worth it to you is subjective. the rear m3 braces looks good (though non m3 require rivnuts iirc), already have the x1 brace but like that rear design for more fuel tank protection, and possibly fab aero panels to attach too, front one not sure on n54 exhaust fitment

Every brace I have fitted so far has improved the driving enjoyment for me.

Front x1 brace? Similar to the e93?

Rear e91 brace will fit my e92 330i but the m3 e93 will not due to the deeper plastic boot tray. Can’t find all the parts for the e91 hence looking at these braces.

The photos are of a 320i I think.

[Simbl]

Some comments regarding the ac schnitzer rear strut brace.

[335i54n]

oh, you have an e92-so you already have the rear e92/x1 underbrace stock.

some other rear interior brace

https://bmwmpower247.com/products/un...43903901401300

https://www.ebay.com/itm/19478546384...3ABFBM2t68sPxi

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by 335i54n

oh, you have an e92-so you already have the rear underbrace stock.

some other rear interior brace

https://bmwmpower247.com/products/un...43903901401300

I do but there is another brace you can fit from the e93 m3 which will fit your 335i. The e91 is similar but requires more parts and some welding for the brackets it’s a different fixing location than the e93 m3 one.

The ultra racing brace is cheaper than new OEM.

[335i54n]

yeah future exhaust fitment issues is my worry for that brace and was thinking of adding tow hitch that connect rear frame and subframe together instead

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...08/C11756.html

[The Nightman]

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255748

One of my favourite DIY rear braces that connects the shock mounts to each other. Would love to see more people try it

[Simbl]

Got some photos from the seller

This look pretty substantial!

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255748

One of my favourite DIY rear braces that connects the shock mounts to each other. Would love to see more people try it

Thanks for the link I hadn’t seen this.
I have been thinking about Fabinh something like this but I need to get a pram in the boot.

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by Simbl

Got some photos from the seller

This look pretty substantial!

Not crazy about those thin offset brackets connecting the bracing to the mounting plate. Also not sure about the gussets between the upper and lower braces, especially the vertical piece; I think I'd rather see one big V for better triangulation.

I think the Cusco brace will achieve similar results at less weight, and the bracing is directly inline with one of the mounting points: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...&postcount=396

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by Simbl

Thanks for the link I hadn’t seen this.
I have been thinking about Fabinh something like this but I need to get a pram in the boot.

Once we're also stroller-less, I want to try adapting an aftermarket C pillar brace (assuming I can find the correct length) to connect the shock mounts in a similar fashion:

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

Not crazy about those thin offset brackets connecting the bracing to the mounting plate. Also not sure about the gussets between the upper and lower braces, especially the vertical piece; I think I'd rather see one big V for better triangulation.

I think the Cusco brace will achieve similar results at less weight, and the bracing is directly inline with one of the mounting points: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...&postcount=396

Technically they are not gussets as they are on the same plane. But those upper and lower bars are technically in bending. A big X would be better. I think it is designed this way as it’s easier to jig and weld. Even if they are in bending they wouldn’t have much vertical stress and torsional strength should be higher than a single tube

They also make an exact copy of the Cusco brace. Which I was tempted by.

The brackets are 3mm steel and are gusseted and double sheer so the bracket seems strong enough.

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

Once we're also stroller-less, I want to try adapting an aftermarket C pillar brace (assuming I can find the correct length) to connect the shock mounts in a similar fashion:

Seems like a good idea?

Did you make that yourself?

[Simbl]

So Inordered the brace in my first post. It has arrived and seems to be very good quality.

Hopefully fit within the next month.

[Simbl]

Fit the brace today. Initial drive it seems to more noticeable than front strut brace. I have only driven it to the shops. So I’m looking for to some twisties to see how it feels.

It was tricky to fit. With four mountings holes it’s hard to align them and the top bolts and really difficult to get in do to the carpet. It also does help that brackets that mount to the chassis are behind carpet and difficult to access one the brace is assembled.

[Simbl]

Having driven with the brace for a few days I noticed quite a significant difference in how the chassis feels. I still haven’t done and hard driving. Without a doubt there is a more noticeable difference is chassis stiffness than what I gained front strut brace. I have added several front braces including diy lower subframe brace and the e93 strut to subframe braces. The front strut brace made the biggest difference but this rear seems to be much more noticeable.

My goal is just improving chassis feel and driving enjoyment and the brace has achieved that.

That rear of the chassis just feels solid and more together there are less audible creaks and you feel the suspension soaking up bumps rather than the chassis. I didn’t think the chassis was flexing that much. The rear end feel more responsive to inputs when loaded up in a corner. I also have rear subframe inserts, rear m3 control arms, rose bush toe arms and a diff brace. I might go as far as saying this has made as much difference as the rear subframe bushes made. Though it might be working well because of my other mods.

The brackets replace the factory brackets which people sometimes retrofit so it appears to make use of an area BMW stiffened from factory in some chassis.

[Simbl]

Negatives: you loose through loading or the ability to through load bigger items. 8-10cm luggage space is taken up by the brace. It is really designed to be fitted without carpets in place but it is easy to cut the carpet for a very neat install, however the upper bolts fowl on the carpet when inserting them so you have to wind the in at and angle. I also had to pry and clamps the brace to get the bolts through it is a very tight fit. I’m also concerned about resonance to may fit some discreet sound deadening on the back of the bar, it rings like a bell when you knock on it.

The finish isn’t super durable and scratches easily far better than anything else in its price range. It is painted with a bed lining type paint which has a finer texture to it. Powerder coating would be great.