Hi,
I posted a question in problems about a cracked strut brace mount but not sure if there is much traffic in there.
Does anybody use an aftermarket strut brace that bolts on? from my reading a few ppl have added an m sport cross brace as well as keeping the original but i'm thinking of getting a triangular one to by pass use of the poor design of the 04-06 cars with the welded bracket that's prone to cracking.
Any thoughts would be welcomed.
Thanks
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Aftermarket strut brace
- Steve84N
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1828
- Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:00 pm
Aftermarket strut brace
Bolted on Wiechers strut brace on mine with no issues. It's the aluminium M version but fits just fine on non-M. Chosen as it bends round the oil filler cap.
C63 AMG Estate 6208cc
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- Newbie
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2017 2:08 am
Aftermarket strut brace
Depending on the chassis that you have, I have the 2004 3.0i model. My factory strut bar that was mounted on the welds from factory also cracked. I'm sure the previous owner welded my passenger side but the driver side was never welded and it eventually cracked. I didn't bother to weld the strut bar back on. I removed the factory strut bars and bought a 3 point (triangle as you say) strut bar and it mounts right on. Before you do, you should know that the mounting close to the window has a alarm sensor which you will need to delete or relocate. Other than that, a solid 3 point strut bar would be the way to go so you'll never have to re-weld the factory strut bars. You should also reinforce the strut tower while you're at it if you haven't. These strut towers on our chassis tend to mushroom and that costs a fortune to fix. Hope this helps
- Silverzedtom
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1478
- Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2017 8:19 pm
- Location: East Sussex
Aftermarket strut brace
I've not long had a Wiechers strut brace on my 2.5si, bolts straight on. Six nuts off of the towers and then on with the brace and the same nuts back on. Torque setting is 35 Nm. Can't help with a 3 point brace as I didn't really look into going down that route.
I went with the normal version for my car (not the M like Steve) misses the oil cap, many other makes will leave you cursing when you go to get the cap off and realise you can't.
I went with the normal version for my car (not the M like Steve) misses the oil cap, many other makes will leave you cursing when you go to get the cap off and realise you can't.
E85 2.5si
F55 Cooper S
F55 Cooper S
- kis
- Lifer
- Posts: 4542
- Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 2:33 pm
- Location: Surrey / West Sussex Boarder
Aftermarket strut brace
See this post mate. Should answer all your questions and some pics too that help visually
My E85 Z4 3.0i SMG
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
BMW Family History (past and present):
1 Series - E87
3 Series - E46 Coupe, E46 M3, E90 (x3)
4 Series - F36, F82 M4
5 Series - E34 (x2), E39
7 Series - E32
X5 - E53, E70
X6 - E71
- markeg
- Lifer
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- Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 7:05 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire Wolds
Aftermarket strut brace
Also, don't forget that strut braces are a mod for insurance - some don't charge (Admiral didn't for me) but some might see it as a performance enhancement....
previous: Alpina Roadster S, #108: gone
current: MB C-class
"veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I stuck around..."
current: MB C-class
"veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I stuck around..."
- hopz121
- Lifer
- Posts: 3711
- Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 4:33 pm
- Location: Guildford Surrey
Aftermarket strut brace
You can modify your pins or the strut brace from an E46 M3 to fit to if that's any help.
Cheaper than other options and readily available
Cheaper than other options and readily available
2004 BMW E46 M3 Coupe - Manual - Silver Grey
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup - Blue
2003 BMW E85 Z4 3.0i - Gone
2008 BMW E90 330i SE - Gone
2017 BMW F31 318d M-Sport - Auto - Glacier Silver
2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7 - Manual - Arctic Silver
2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup - Blue
2003 BMW E85 Z4 3.0i - Gone
2008 BMW E90 330i SE - Gone
- GuidoK
- Lifer
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- Location: all over the place
Aftermarket strut brace
I have the 3 point ultra racing. I think its the only 3 point brace on the market. I've relocated the bonnetswitch.
You can also repair the original mounting points for the diagonal braces with welding in the improved facelift inserts (which bmw sells separate).
But it is important that you dont drive the car without the diagonal braces. (BMW says that thats seriously compromising the strenght of the car in their repair manuals)
You can also repair the original mounting points for the diagonal braces with welding in the improved facelift inserts (which bmw sells separate).
But it is important that you dont drive the car without the diagonal braces. (BMW says that thats seriously compromising the strenght of the car in their repair manuals)
Z4 3.0i | ESS TS2+ | Quaife ATB LSD | Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear | Schrick FI cams | Schmiedmann headers+cats | fully polybushed | Vibra-technics engine mounts | H&R anti rollbars | KW V3 coilovers | Sachs Race Engineering clutch