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flyingalexf68 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 03-July-2007 at 21:45
Just wondering what strut brace you would recommend if any for my car?
I've bought a cross brace for under the front of the car on ebay but haven't
got it yet. Does anyone have one of these and should I fit a strut brace as
well? Also what about a rear strut brace? Are these a good idea?

I'll be doing a few track days and just want to set the car up as best I can.
And should I buy an Eibach Pro Kit?
1995 e36 3.0 M3 Coupe, Daytona Violet, AP Racing BBK, CCFL Angel Eyes, M3 Spoiler, M-Tec 3 Steering Wheel.   
2000 530d Steptronic, Poverty Spec, 18" Alloys.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Eamo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-July-2007 at 12:42
if it was me - i'd get a gt strut brace and kw variant 3 coilovers
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Webdunk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-July-2007 at 14:13
I've got front and rear strut braces on mine.

My Car :



No underbonnet shots of my own so here's one of another car on the register :



Front brace is standard so can't really comment on difference. Rear brace didn't appear to do too much... but I don't think you would expect to notice it in normal driving. I reckon it increased road noise a little? Go figure.

Going to get the cross brace in due course.

Uprated anti-roll bars seem to be well liked as an initial track upgrade and they don't cost the earth.

A couple of folk on the Register have KW coilovers in various flavours. Unless you're hardcore into your track work then V1 should be fine.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flyingalexf68 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-July-2007 at 15:51
How much is a GT Strut Brace? I do have limited budget. Are E-Tech ones
any good? Plenty of them for sale in magazines etc.

Don't want to buy coilovers because they'll lower the car too much. The Pro
Kit is only 25mm front and 15mm rear which I think I could live with. Plus
the coilovers are a bit too pricey at the moment.

EDIT, 1 GT strut brace new on ebay in the US for $600. Ouch! I'm looking at
one on ebay in Germany 2nd hand which I might buy if the guy will post it
over and it doesn't get too expensive.

Edited by flyingalexf68
1995 e36 3.0 M3 Coupe, Daytona Violet, AP Racing BBK, CCFL Angel Eyes, M3 Spoiler, M-Tec 3 Steering Wheel.   
2000 530d Steptronic, Poverty Spec, 18" Alloys.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sporty1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-July-2007 at 16:22

Not 100% but a rear brace would have very little or no effect as it only ties the top of the shocks towers together, unless your going to use coilovers on the rear can't see any benefit.

Any rear 'load' is taken by the spring not the shock absorber.

But may be I'm missing something and am way off on this.



Edited by Sporty1

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flyingalexf68 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-July-2007 at 19:29
Maybe. Got the rear strut brace cheap so I might not bother fitting it to my
car.
1995 e36 3.0 M3 Coupe, Daytona Violet, AP Racing BBK, CCFL Angel Eyes, M3 Spoiler, M-Tec 3 Steering Wheel.   
2000 530d Steptronic, Poverty Spec, 18" Alloys.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Webdunk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-July-2007 at 08:46
GT strut braces are VERY rare and always go for way over the odds. There are plenty of aftermarket options to choose from. Main issue is fit/finish and not fouling your bonnet. If you car has ASC then make sure the brace is designed for it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hoover Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-July-2007 at 21:04
Originally posted by Sporty1 Sporty1 wrote:

Not 100% but a rear brace would have very little or no effect as it only ties the top of the shocks towers together, unless your going to use coilovers on the rear can't see any benefit.

Any rear 'load' is taken by the spring not the shock absorber.

But may be I'm missing something and am way off on this.

 

no Sporty, imho i think youre on the button there mate..

88 E30 M3 fast(er than it was, ta Shep and Grant)

and a k8 2008 busa...faster still

(focus RS gone to good home - but never forgotton, eh Shep)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-July-2007 at 10:52

I fitted a Strong Strut front brace to my Z3 and I have to say it's the best modification I've done to a car - the handling is vastly improved

The Strong Strut website has braces for quite a few different BMW models - they're not cheap, but they are quality. Mine is the CL (Alloy), but they also do a steel version as well.

Z3 strut brace



Edited by nero





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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JohnH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-July-2007 at 10:55

Alex,

I think there's a UUC brace in the display cabinet in Al's - I'm sure if you asked nicely you could do a deal on it...

John

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flyingalexf68 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-July-2007 at 16:02
Cheers John. I'll ask.
1995 e36 3.0 M3 Coupe, Daytona Violet, AP Racing BBK, CCFL Angel Eyes, M3 Spoiler, M-Tec 3 Steering Wheel.   
2000 530d Steptronic, Poverty Spec, 18" Alloys.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote flyingalexf68 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-July-2007 at 17:20
Missed the used M3 GT Strut brace on ebay. It went for €356.55. Bloody
heck.
1995 e36 3.0 M3 Coupe, Daytona Violet, AP Racing BBK, CCFL Angel Eyes, M3 Spoiler, M-Tec 3 Steering Wheel.   
2000 530d Steptronic, Poverty Spec, 18" Alloys.
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