[335i54n]

what you need to do is hammer those end flat like the oe top strut braces otherwise it will loosen up.

those bar really help, i used 7075 al which is not really bendable and since its not a level fit you need spacers to level the bar out.

if i can find a deal on a rear curtis tow hitch that my next upgrade since then it will tie the rear rails to the subframe

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

The M3 subframe plate doesn't mount to the body though. However, the M3 subframe is different in that it has "extensions" with additional mounting points to the body.



M3


Non-M


I think one of the benefits of the M3 plate is the transverse bracing between the rear of the subframe, which is lost when modified to fit the non-M subframe.

BMW also calls these "thrust plates" implying that they brace longitudinal movements as well, so there is still something to gain. I slapped two bars on where the M3 plate mounts and they made a significant difference

It mounts to the body on same bolts as the subframe does.

Either way the e93 bracing will be better than the diy strengthening bars and the cut up m3 belly pan. As you get best of both worlds subframe bracing and better body bracing both longitudinal and vertically.

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by Torgus

You can see the tube deformed when you tightened it. I would assume a solid aluminum bar would have greater rigidity than hollow and add minimal weight. Then again I am not a mechanical engineer.

I am honestly surprised you noticed such a difference from the mod. Could you go into any more detail?

Any chance you know the exact length the bars need to be? Length of bolts? I have to crawl under my car and run some fuel lines and I could easily take a trip to the Depot and do this while in there.


If this really makes such a drastic difference someone could have a bunch of bar stock cut, drilled, powder coated, and sell it as a mod. Call it the Hamilton bars

Just be aware if you have EPS it won’t fit as easily.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by Torgus

You can see the tube deformed when you tightened it. I would assume a solid aluminum bar would have greater rigidity than hollow and add minimal weight. Then again I am not a mechanical engineer.

I am honestly surprised you noticed such a difference from the mod. Could you go into any more detail?

Any chance you know the exact length the bars need to be? Length of bolts? I have to crawl under my car and run some fuel lines and I could easily take a trip to the Depot and do this while in there.


If this really makes such a drastic difference someone could have a bunch of bar stock cut, drilled, powder coated, and sell it as a mod. Call it the Hamilton bars

*Nightman bars; not my mod I'm surprised too. I'd expect it to need some sort of triangulation to work well, but who knows... Hopefully Nightman can do some blind testing - that would be interesting! I'd sooner do an e93 or M3 brace mod.

[Torgus]

https://ultraracing-usa.com/bmw-3-se...rame-7-points/



Only $400 on Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/15367772835...UaAughEALw_wcB

Ultraracing makes a bunch of dumb braces for a bunch of cars. Many of which do nothing.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Ultraracing makes a bunch of dumb braces for a bunch of cars. Many of which do nothing.

...and for that reason my wallet will stay in my pocket.

Note that for that particular brace you'd need an 02/2007 onwards e93 front subframe.

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Ultraracing makes a bunch of dumb braces for a bunch of cars. Many of which do nothing.

Not true. They excel at rusting

[The Nightman]

Originally Posted by Simbl

It mounts to the body on same bolts as the subframe does.

If you look closely at the M3 subframe, you can see the M10 rivnuts that the plate mounts to. They're different from the subframe to body mounting points.

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

...and for that reason my wallet will stay in my pocket.

Note that for that particular brace you'd need an 02/2007 onwards e93 front subframe.

You can fit it to any e9x with 51617135640 and an e93 undertray.

That ultra racing brace is identical to the standard bmw e93 one with the addition of a rear cross brace which actually makes a lot of sense as it brace the opening for the transmission from underneath. Later f series and g series have better bracing in that area.

The price though is way too much for what it is.

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by The Nightman

If you look closely at the M3 subframe, you can see the M10 rivnuts that the plate mounts to. They're different from the subframe to body mounting points.

Ah I see, I guess then it at least provides cross bracing for the rear of the subframe.

[Simbl]

I received the final e93 piece needed to attached the front under and upper bracing to the subframe. Now I just need to find a e93 undertray which is proving quite difficult.

It has been hopeless trying to find the e93 drop down brace for the rear. The problem is any one who is breaking them won’t do as the subframe has to come out. Finding the braces the selves is no problem.

If I can get both front e93 bracing and rear e91 bracing fitted it should really stiffen the chassis up.

[Simbl]

Also found that the non m e93 rear bracing maybe easier to fit but obviously won’t be as effect as the e91 and the e93 m3 bracing. Doesn’t look like the subframe will need to be dropped either.

[Simbl]

A couple images of what the e91 brace looks like it appears all models have the same way of attaching the drop down bracket to the chassis. In one of the photos you can see the mount point on the chassis not sure they are on the e90 or e92 though.

The standard e93 rear brace also won’t fit on any e92/e90 with a single muffler as the trunk storage is in the way. Confirmed with real oem.

So it appears the e91 is the only option unless you have 335i/d.

The e91 is one large brace when compared to the e93 which is two piece . The e91 also has a cross brace. It appears like the e93 non m and m3 are very very similar (looks identical) except for the drop down mounting bracket. I believe the e93 m3 can be used in conjunction with the e92 non m rear brace.

So if you have 335i/d you can go with any rear brace if there are mount tabs on the chassis. I will have a look next week and report back.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by Simbl

You can fit it to any e9x with 51617135640

I don't think that's true. Look in realoem and you'll see that 51617135640 is only used up to 02/2007, and for the cars after 02/2007 the braces are different. Look at the post-02/2007 subframes, and you'll see that the mounting block which is welded to the subframe is a significantly different shape.

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

I don't think that's true. Look in realoem and you'll see that 51617135640 is only used up to 02/2007, and for the cars after 02/2007 the braces are different. Look at the post-02/2007 subframes, and you'll see that the mounting block which is welded to the subframe is a significantly different shape.

The braces are not different. The new one is painted steel and is clearly just cheaper, the old one is thick aluminum. The new one fits any year.


It’s irrelevant for retrofit anyway as you can order the block and put it on the subframe. It’s been done do a forum search. The superseding parts still fit.

I’m not doing anything no one has done before it’s just not be done a lot.

[ornicar]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

I don't think that's true. Look in realoem and you'll see that 51617135640 is only used up to 02/2007, and for the cars after 02/2007 the braces are different. Look at the post-02/2007 subframes, and you'll see that the mounting block which is welded to the subframe is a significantly different shape.

Correct. Different shape AND location. The alloys bars are shorters than the the new ones.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by ornicar

Correct. Different shape AND location. The alloys bars are shorters than the the new ones.

Thanks for confirming.

Just to be sure - the first pic is the 02/2007+ bars, and 2nd pic (black bars) are -02/2007?

[ornicar]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Thanks for confirming.

Just to be sure - the first pic is the 02/2007+ bars, and 2nd pic (black bars) are -02/2007?

Yes correct. Attached the P/N of the first pic.

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by ornicar

Correct. Different shape AND location. The alloys bars are shorters than the the new ones.

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Thanks for confirming.

Just to be sure - the first pic is the 02/2007+ bars, and 2nd pic (black bars) are -02/2007?

Originally Posted by ornicar

Yes correct. Attached the P/N of the first pic.

You have lined them up to an m3 belly pan that has completely different subframe mounting points and does not fit on standard e9x subframe. The parts are not compatible at all. Try lining them up on a non subframe you will see.

[Tambohamilton]

Ignoring the M3/non-M compatibility for now, you can see that the braces pictured are different, right?

[ornicar]

Originally Posted by Simbl

You have lined them up to an m3 belly pan that has completely different subframe mounting points and does not fit on standard e9x subframe. The parts are not compatible at all. Try lining them up on a non subframe you will see.

Have you test it yourself? The M3 belly pan fit. there is an offset in the rear fixing points of few mm nothing more.

[Simbl]

Originally Posted by ornicar

Yes correct. Attached the P/N of the first pic.

Originally Posted by ornicar

Have you test it yourself? The M3 belly pan fit. there is an offset in the rear fixing points of few mm nothing more.

You triggered some more research. So this works on 1 series as for some reason they all have the extra bracket for the newer v brace bars. I presume on e9x you need to use the older bars. Which are trickier to find.

I’ve have the all the parts for the pre 2007 bars so it will all fit up. Just don’t get the newer v brace bars if you are doing this mod.