OEM Strut Brace fitted

[Zed_Steve]

Just a thought, you should strip and polish the 2 strengthening bars, that would look cool, and its free (apart from paint stripper)

Yes might look into that, match them up with the strut brace. The chrome bars pictured on roadster solutions site look good

[Zed_Steve]

. . .
The only issue i have with it is that the cross section runs right over the oil filler cap so would need to be removed come an oil change. I did do a test and fitted it the opposite way, this was before i found the fitting instructions that states the bend in the bar should face the front of the engine bay.

I had the same problem when I took it off my leased 2006Z4M just before turning it in and put it on my 2005 Z4 3.0.

Nightmare - one of the posts came off the strut - my regular Dealer mechanic helped me out by replacing the post without charge (could have had a bad ending!)and found my brace in the trunk. He asked around and put it on backwards from what the instructions said. He said that after making some calls, opinion was that the physics was the same result both ways.

So he put the bar on backwards! No problems since!



Excuse the dusty dirty engine compartment - started to clean it - I would rather drive than clean!

Best!
Jack

I didnt notice any difference either when i tried it the other way round. Unless the oil needs topping up on a regular basis i will probably leave it as it is, thanks for that info though

[Aebous]

Bamity Bam!

[Smokin]

Anyone else with a 3.0Si and any of these fitted (with pics!)? The oil filler cap is more in the middle of the cover and the air intake (off the filter box) is larger and higher. The OEM brace goes directly over the oil filler cap and sits on the air intake. I'm worried about long term on that intake as it gets HOT under there.

[GP20]

Not really a good idea to fit the strut brace backwards. It's designed to break in a certain direction and allow the crumble zone to do its thing in the event of a front crash. You take that way and you probably end up feeling the impacts yourself instead of letting the car absord the energy.

[Zed_Steve]

Not really a good idea to fit the strut brace backwards. It's designed to break in a certain direction and allow the crumble zone to do its thing in the event of a front crash. You take that way and you probably end up feeling the impacts yourself instead of letting the car absord the energy.

I take your point, but what i find odd is that the fitment of the OEM brace for the 3 series is the opposite way round to the Z4, i.e the way Jack has it fitted on his

[Smokin]

could the position (i.e. bend forward or back) be due to where the components on the engine are placed? Where are the strut towers relative to the engine in the 3 series versus Z4? In a head-on collision, I don't think it will matter which way it's placed as it will most probably move as a unit toward the rear. Saw the new X5 crash test car at the Zentrum in SC. The crumple zones are so exact, looked like someone had bent things over a forming jig. Had it been fitted with a brace, it would have moved with the strut towers rearward and down.

[Mr Whippy]

I think they are a bit of a snake oil thing on this car.

The sub-frame under the engine is really tied down to the chassis legs moving forward, then you have the front slam panel, then you have the struts linked to the bulkhead... having that bit of metal over the middle just looks like it won't do anything. If the two were not there going back, fair enough, but they are there... plot the forces that land at the strut top now, they go through and push right back against the other strut anyway already, via a very stiff bulkhead.

Am I missing something?!

Dave

[Zed_Steve]

Well the extra rigidity the strut brace adds to the front end has improved stability and roadholding. Also the feedback from the steering is much more predictable, and the more planted feel of the front end gives more confidence in carrying extra speed through the corners especially over unfavourable surfaces, probably down to the reduced flexing from the struts. Like i said in an earlier post im still running Bridgestones RFTs, and have also noticed reduced tramlining.

So imo the strut brace for the Z4 serves its purpose, otherwise what would be the point in making one?

[Smokin]

There wasn't much difference at all on the coupe, but-call it placebo effect if you want--she did fill more "up on her toes", just a shade quicker on turning.

Really, though, on the coupe, it is a majority "bling" factor. I think it should have more of an effect on the roadster.

[Beedub]

trust me!! take a roadster on the track and it makes a difference!!