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      02-14-2020, 05:39 AM   #1
GrimJaw
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Strut brace?

Has anyone installed a strut brace on their 2 series?
I've seen 1 or two people post about possibly fitting an m4/M2 brave but that's it to my knowledge.
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      02-14-2020, 08:56 AM   #2
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https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1389619

You have to keep digging in their menu to get to the strut brace, even though not originally listed.

https://www.tw-kcdesign.com/products_detail_79.htm?pg=

I have this one, and long ago became accustomed to having it, but recall I felt the tightening of the front end right after installation.
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      02-14-2020, 09:26 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GrimJaw View Post
Has anyone installed a strut brace on their 2 series?
I've seen 1 or two people post about possibly fitting an m4/M2 brave but that's it to my knowledge.
My 2015M235i with a strut brace. Easy to install.
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      02-14-2020, 09:59 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BM235iW View Post
My 2015M235i with a strut brace. Easy to install.
Looks great, did you purchase from their website?
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      02-14-2020, 10:25 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f20two View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BM235iW View Post
My 2015M235i with a strut brace. Easy to install.
Looks great, did you purchase from their website?
Quote:
Originally Posted by f20two View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BM235iW View Post
My 2015M235i with a strut brace. Easy to install.
Looks great, did you purchase from their website?
Purchased from ECS. Quick service, fast delivery and well packaged.
One this I appreciate is it's easy to remove and replace the brace for engine service without removing the strut tower mounts. I remove the brace whenever I take the car in for service.
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      02-14-2020, 10:40 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by BM235iW View Post
Purchased from ECS. Quick service, fast delivery and well packaged.
One this I appreciate is it's easy to remove and replace the brace for engine service without removing the strut tower mounts. I remove the brace whenever I take the car in for service.
Perfect, ECS is great. Thanks!
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      02-14-2020, 03:47 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BM235iW View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by f20two View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BM235iW View Post
My 2015M235i with a strut brace. Easy to install.
Looks great, did you purchase from their website?
Quote:
Originally Posted by f20two View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BM235iW View Post
My 2015M235i with a strut brace. Easy to install.
Looks great, did you purchase from their website?
Purchased from ECS. Quick service, fast delivery and well packaged.
One this I appreciate is it's easy to remove and replace the brace for engine service without removing the strut tower mounts. I remove the brace whenever I take the car in for service.
Was there a noticeable difference?
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      02-14-2020, 06:20 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GrimJaw View Post
Was there a noticeable difference?
Butting in here, I know – my experience of strut braces is that because driving styles and circumstances vary so much, you have to try one to find out what difference it makes.

I've installed them on a few cars, and they've made a modest but noticeable difference on each one. Fortunately, they're an inexpensive experiment as they don't cost very much, and they're generally easy to install and remove.

I haven't bought a strut brace for my car because to improve turn-in the shop in Columbus, OH that built my car up for me recommended an H&R front swaybar. I ran the car a while without having that bar installed and then decided the car could use some help in that area.

So I bought the H&R bar and had it installed at a local shop. Between the bar and the installation, it was quite a bit pricier than a strut brace would have been.

My purpose was reducing front-end roll on the track, and I suspect a strut brace would serve that purpose just fine for cars being driven on the street and on back roads. I think you'll have to try one to find out for yourself, and I do think it's quite likely to be worth your effort and expense. I will say that the H&R front swaybar didn't make my street and back road driving any less enjoyable at all; in fact, it was on the track where I most noticed the difference. That's counter-intuitive, but it is this owner's experience.

As always, my 2¢.
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      02-14-2020, 06:25 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GrimJaw View Post
Was there a noticeable difference?
Subtle, but directionally correct.
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      02-14-2020, 10:29 PM   #10
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I am purchasing a used convertible that I plan to own for many years, so maintaining the rigidity is important.

Besides the strut brace what other bolt on structural reinforcements are available that are more than cosmetic
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      02-15-2020, 07:00 AM   #11
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Does it make any difference if it's xdrive? I was thinking of getting the racing dynamics one from ecs on a deal. Yet, just don't know if I should pull the trigger
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      02-15-2020, 07:48 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GrimJaw View Post
Does it make any difference if it's xdrive? I was thinking of getting the racing dynamics one from ecs on a deal. Yet, just don't know if I should pull the trigger
No difference.
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      02-15-2020, 07:49 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by El Conquistador View Post
I am purchasing a used convertible that I plan to own for many years, so maintaining the rigidity is important.

Besides the strut brace what other bolt on structural reinforcements are available that are more than cosmetic
The convertible comes from the factory with a LOT of extra bracing compared to the coupe. Beyond the strut brace there's not much else to be done.
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      02-15-2020, 07:54 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
The convertible comes from the factory with a LOT of extra bracing compared to the coupe. Beyond the strut brace there's not much else to be done.
Me and my wallet appreciate this answer.

Thanks
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      02-15-2020, 03:22 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GrimJaw View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BM235iW View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by f20two View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BM235iW View Post
My 2015M235i with a strut brace. Easy to install.
Looks great, did you purchase from their website?
Quote:
Originally Posted by f20two View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BM235iW View Post
My 2015M235i with a strut brace. Easy to install.
Looks great, did you purchase from their website?
Purchased from ECS. Quick service, fast delivery and well packaged.
One this I appreciate is it's easy to remove and replace the brace for engine service without removing the strut tower mounts. I remove the brace whenever I take the car in for service.
Was there a noticeable difference?
GrimJaw I honestly couldn't say one way or the other. I haven't had the opportunity to take her on the open road, canyons or track since the install. Only thing I can say there hasn't been any negative effects on ride or handling qualities.
Plenty of better informed members on this forum than me that can give you better answers to your question than myself.
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      02-15-2020, 07:43 PM   #16
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Doesn't the vert come with a strut brace? Mine is a 2015 M235i RWD, and when I was running wires through the firewall, there appeared to be a strut brace. It is attached with the big external torx bolt and runs around the back of the engine, instead of over.
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      02-25-2020, 10:41 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
The convertible comes from the factory with a LOT of extra bracing compared to the coupe. Beyond the strut brace there's not much else to be done.
Took me a while to find this. I put this unferside brace on my F30, would it fit the F23?

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-198754-33312284647-genuine-bmw-part/
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      02-26-2020, 06:37 AM   #18
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I once had a rusted out T-Bird that needed one of these, or two. But if it helped the ultimate machine BMW, would install one. A great deal of effort is put into body design. This mod may do more harm than good in terms of sound and crashworthiness.
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      02-26-2020, 07:04 AM   #19
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If you're saying mods only make things worse, you may want to just stick to watching BMW ads on YouTube
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      08-02-2022, 07:01 PM   #20
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Installation question

Quote:
Originally Posted by BM235iW View Post
My 2015M235i with a strut brace. Easy to install.
Hi, do you use the existing screws from the car? Since the mounting base of the strut bar added some thickness, it means the distance putting the screws in will be shorter. Not sure if it will be secured enough? Also wonder what are those screws for? I tried taking out the locking bushing from the screws but with no luck. I also found out on the left hand side there is a thick cable blocking the mounting base which need to be unzip and move below the metal zip mount. Any advice would be appreciated!
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      08-02-2022, 07:21 PM   #21
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https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_8381

I suspect some just haven't seen theirs hiding under the gasket, but it's a beefy thing, not going anywhere. Maybe if I was tracking all the time I'd notice a slight different, but the strut towers aren't moving anywhere with the strut brace you have under normal circumstances.
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      08-04-2022, 11:32 AM   #22
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Installed in m240 yesterday
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