OEM Strut Brace

[Mathew]

I'm thinking about putting on an aluminum strut brace for my E92. I was looking at some websites and one said that aluminum was too weak, another said the it doesn't make that much of a difference. I know there were a lot of positive reviews for the E46, but I haven't been keeping up with the new 3. Would putting one on be worth $200?

[SCA]

Originally Posted by Mathew

I'm thinking about putting on an aluminum strut brace for my E92. I was looking at some websites and one said that aluminum was too weak, another said the it doesn't make that much of a difference. I know there were a lot of positive reviews for the E46, but I haven't been keeping up with the new 3. Would putting one on be worth $200?

My 0.02, waste of $200. The E90/E92 is fairly rigid vs. the E46. Plus either model has factory strut braces running to the firewall.

[equ]

I'd say lighter wheels and some real tires before brace...

[Terri Kennedy]

Originally Posted by SCA

My 0.02, waste of $200. The E90/E92 is fairly rigid vs. the E46. Plus either model has factory strut braces running to the firewall.

Are the front shock towers still cheezy 2-layers-of-body-metal like on the E46? If so, there's some benefit from the mounting flanges for the strut bar, whether or not the bar itself actually does anything.

When I installed the E46 M3 bar on my E46 wagon, the towers had already deformed enough after only a couple thousand miles that the nuts didn't want to go on without some persuasion.

And don't get me started on the rear shock mounts

[Mathew]

Originally Posted by equ

I'd say lighter wheels and some real tires before brace...

Until I can come up with a better solution, I'm going to stick with the run-flats. I've had five non-patchable flats in the eight years with my E46, so I do get them. If I can't change it on the spot, then I'd rather have a couple of days or so to get to a garage. I may order a tire soon to just have around so I won't get overcharged at whatever place I go to, but I would still need to get the tire on the wheel. I tried doing it with my hands on 16" wheels, but that was ugly. And buying a spare wheel isn't worth.

Maybe I'll just get a track set when I get more spare time in the future.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by Terry Kennedy

Are the front shock towers still cheezy 2-layers-of-body-metal like on the E46? If so, there's some benefit from the mounting flanges for the strut bar, whether or not the bar itself actually does anything.

When I installed the E46 M3 bar on my E46 wagon, the towers had already deformed enough after only a couple thousand miles that the nuts didn't want to go on without some persuasion.

And don't get me started on the rear shock mounts

One advatange to running camber plates is that I can use the E46 rough road reinforcement plates on the front towers.

[Sharp11]

Originally Posted by Mathew

I'm thinking about putting on an aluminum strut brace for my E92. I was looking at some websites and one said that aluminum was too weak, another said the it doesn't make that much of a difference. I know there were a lot of positive reviews for the E46, but I haven't been keeping up with the new 3. Would putting one on be worth $200?

I think it's a waste of $200 - I put a brace in my convertible, a car which could actually use some shoring up, and I honestly can't say it made much of any difference at all - at the time, I thought the steering a bit tighter, but I'm going from pure memory on that one.

The E92 is plenty stiff, some 10 percent stiffer than the E90, so I doubt there's a need for any structural bracing - however, if you like the look, that's something else.

Ed

[Mathew]

Originally Posted by Sharp11

however, if you like the look, that's something else.

Ed

I'm not into mods for the looks. And seeing as how there's no dipstick, I'd be looking at it that much less.

[equ]

Originally Posted by Mathew

Until I can come up with a better solution, I'm going to stick with the run-flats. I've had five non-patchable flats in the eight years with my E46, so I do get them. If I can't change it on the spot, then I'd rather have a couple of days or so to get to a garage. I may order a tire soon to just have around so I won't get overcharged at whatever place I go to, but I would still need to get the tire on the wheel. I tried doing it with my hands on 16" wheels, but that was ugly. And buying a spare wheel isn't worth.

Maybe I'll just get a track set when I get more spare time in the future.

That's 'cuz you live in FL. If you lived in the NE, you'd get rid of the b-stone runflats pretty quick. I went from 162 + b-stone to my winter set, dropping about 10lbs per corner, and I swear the car feels like it gained 15hp.

[Mathew]

Originally Posted by equ

That's 'cuz you live in FL. If you lived in the NE, you'd get rid of the b-stone runflats pretty quick. I went from 162 + b-stone to my winter set, dropping about 10lbs per corner, and I swear the car feels like it gained 15hp.

I'll be going back to Atlanta tomorrow. The roads have iced a few times in the past few years, but luckily my commute is usually a walk. I've posted my set on some classifieds. If I can a good/convenient deal I may make a move.