[Anneka @ Sytner]

No problem if you want to arrange a group buy. I'm positive we can get something good off these. Mega has a Performance CF strut brace in his E90, it looks great but I don't if it is more rigid than the M3 brace?

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by m1bjr

Anyone got a kit of parts # to save my eyes?

Just print off the realoem diagram - its all there, with a picture too.

I found the main ring domes already had the studs attached, so I had too many if I followed the parts list exactly, but no harm in having a few spare bits.

Also item 6 is not needed, its the same bolts as our standard braces use, so you'll already have one.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...61&hg=51&fg=75

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

Here you go:

• 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)
• 51618046445 Stud (two of those) *
• 51717898374 Stud (4 of those)
• 07119904401 Hex bolt (2)
• 07146954965 ASA-Bolt with circlip
• 07146963730 Torx bolt (2)
• 51717895241 Hex nut (6)
• 31316769731 Self-locking collar nut (6) *

You will have to replace the items marked with an (*) as otherwise the brace will interfere with the microfilter assembly.

Alpina_B3_Lux

I replaced the inboard M8 stud and nut combo (8&4 on real oem) which is too tall for a 335i, with an extra pair of the M8 bolts used at the very inboard end (item 5 on real oem)

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

Guys that have done this, have you declared to insurance? Did it impact your insurance much?

No. No.


I have found it has made a marked difference to the feel of the car, much sharper intial steering response, and when in a turn even tiny steering inputs result in the front just tucking in even more, well worth the money.

M division aren't daft, they wouldn't put this on if it our chassis didn't need it.

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by Anneka @ Sytner

No problem if you want to arrange a group buy. I'm positive we can get something good off these. Mega has a Performance CF strut brace in his E90, it looks great but I don't if it is more rigid than the M3 brace?

The Performance strut brace is a two point brace, just like the OEM one that comes on the 335i. The M3 brace is a three point brace that also connects the struts to the firewall, and not only with each other. By definition it is therefore stiffer.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

The Performance strut brace is a two point brace, just like the OEM one that comes on the 335i. The M3 brace is a three point brace that also connects the struts to the firewall, and not only with each other. By definition it is therefore stiffer.

Alpina_B3_Lux

+1

The BMWP one is more about style than substance IMO

The M3 item is a really nice piece of functional kit.

[m1bjr]

And there I suspect lies the rub.

I doubt a BMW franchise would want to provide a 'kit' to the public for an application for which it isnt designed?

If you do then please price it up Anneka, and if its cheaper to the door than my local franchise you have a commitment to buy it from me at least.

Thankyou,
Steve

PS Its one of only a couple of mods I have amde to several cars that the insurers were not interested in.
I made my own for the rear of the S2000 as I was bored one day.
But front uppers require a lot of machine work, so I think this is a pretty good price actually.

[toxicnerve]

Originally Posted by m1bjr

And there I suspect lies the rub.

I doubt a BMW franchise would want to provide a 'kit' to the public for an application for which it isnt designed?

If you do then please price it up Anneka, and if its cheaper to the door than my local franchise you have a commitment to buy it from me at least.

Thankyou,
Steve

PS Its one of only a couple of mods I have amde to several cars that the insurers were not interested in.
I made my own for the rear of the S2000 as I was bored one day.
But front uppers require a lot of machine work, so I think this is a pretty good price actually.

Crazy.

I just phone my insurance company to ask about a strut brace (hoping to hear that they wouldn't be fussed). Get this...they told me the car would not be covered if a strut-brace was fitted!

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

Crazy.

I just phone my insurance company to ask about a strut brace (hoping to hear that they wouldn't be fussed). Get this...they told me the car would not be covered if a strut-brace was fitted!

Sounds like they are less mod friendly than most, thing is your car already has a BMW strut brace so you are not 'adding a strut brace' you are just fitting a different one also from BMW.

Trouble is, most call centre half wits would refuse insurance if you told them the tyres had been filled with "aftermarket high performance mountain air".

Derrrrr....computer says no.....

[Mike in Hampshire]

Originally Posted by Yahoo

No - you need to purchase new bolts etc - the 6 that secure the brace to the top of the struts are expensive buggers too, over £5 a go IIRC.

The only one that is reusable is the bolt that secures the brace to the bulk head (no. 6 on real OEM).

OK, the bolt that secures the existing brace to the strut tower needs an E14 torx socket I believe.

But, does anyone know what socket (E14 again?) you need to unscrew the bolt that secures the bulkhead? It looks pretty chunky and I think I'll need to buy the correct torx socket.

Thanks, Mike.

[doughboy]

A regular socket (13mm or so??) will fit the torx head very snugly, that sounds dodgy but I can tell you it works find as it's such a large torx size, and it can be fully torqued up without any hint of slip or marking to the bolt head.

I did this when I fitted the weichers brace i used first, and I also noticed the BMW indy garage I use doing them same when we fitted the M3 brace.

Again the bulkhead torx can be undone the same way.

[Mike in Hampshire]

Originally Posted by doughboy

A regular socket (13mm or so??) will fit the torx head very snugly, that sounds dodgy but I can tell you it works find as it's such a large torx size, and it can be fully torqued up without any hint of slip or marking to the bolt head.

I did this when I fitted the weichers brace i used first, and I also noticed the BMW indy garage I use doing them same when we fitted the M3 brace.

Again the bulkhead torx can be undone the same way.

Thanks DB, will save me a few squid then. By the way, do you think this is a DIY job (I'm no ace mechanic, but it looks fairly straightforward), or is this one for the pro's, in your view?

Mike.

[Anneka @ Sytner]

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

The Performance strut brace is a two point brace, just like the OEM one that comes on the 335i. The M3 brace is a three point brace that also connects the struts to the firewall, and not only with each other. By definition it is therefore stiffer.

Alpina_B3_Lux

Thank you, very informative. I'll look into this tomorrow and will report my findings in due course.

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

Crazy.

I just phone my insurance company to ask about a strut brace (hoping to hear that they wouldn't be fussed). Get this...they told me the car would not be covered if a strut-brace was fitted!

Geez Toxic, why ask, it already has one, and would anyone other than a BMW mechanic know the difference.

I do hope your tyre valves are original OEM, tell me they are?

[toxicnerve]

Because I'm one unlucky mofo and if I were to be in an accident with an undeclared mod you could bet your bottom dollar I'd get the shaft!

[Yahoo]

Originally Posted by Mike in Hampshire

Thanks DB, will save me a few squid then. By the way, do you think this is a DIY job (I'm no ace mechanic, but it looks fairly straightforward), or is this one for the pro's, in your view?

Mike.

It is pretty straight forward. The trickiest part is fitting the M3 brace to the bulk head anchor point near the windscreen. The standard item just butts up against the bolt, the M3 one needs to be pushed through a rubber sheath and bolted down. Use a torch and take your time - you will be fine.

[Mike in Hampshire]

Originally Posted by Anneka @ Sytner

Thank you, very informative. I'll look into this tomorrow and will report my findings in due course.

Anneka, I'm also interested in this if you can organise a group buy.
Mike.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Anneka @ Sytner

Thank you, very informative. I'll look into this tomorrow and will report my findings in due course.

I didn't know that the Lord Chief Justice was a forum member?

[TikoV]

Cool...another mod on my wishlist, an M3 brace.

For a total duff diy'er like myself....can this be done without any major issues?

[MEGA]

Originally Posted by Anneka @ Sytner

No problem if you want to arrange a group buy. I'm positive we can get something good off these. Mega has a Performance CF strut brace in his E90, it looks great but I don't if it is more rigid than the M3 brace?

It's not CF and it's actually aftermarket from SSDD But appreciate any press

Oh go on then...

[TikoV]

How did it feel after fitting Dave? Feel the car tighter?

[MEGA]

In my opinion? Most definitely... I used to have a vague feeling of understeer on hard driving due to give at the front, even on the 19s with low profiles etc.. Especially apparent when exiting a roundabout when having been previously sliding around said roundabout, it must be said.

Now it is much more like the back is pushing me through corners. I'd say its alleviated understeer significantly adding more rigidity at the front.

However. With all such things there's clearly the possibility of placebo affect...

[335iLondon]

+ 1 on the interest of a group buy here.

Sounds like a no brainer to anyone who likes to actually drive their car!

Am I missing something or is this actually a mod with no downside?

Also front only? Anyone with rear?

[Yahoo]

No downside at all - just the extra cost and hastle of installing it.