[BEM-S4]

Had KC ship me front and rear strut braces for me F23. Excellent fit and finish, really fast shipping too. About a week from Taiwan. KC is really easy to work with, expect a 24 hour delay on email responses with the time difference. Got the front one first, ran that for about a week before ordering the rear. Excellent clearance around the engine bay, definite improvement in overall chassis stiffness. That said, I cannot give an honest opinion on results for a coupe. I had a coupe that was a lot stiffer than my convertible, even with all the extra bracing. I also run 17" BBS rims with beefier rubber now since the roads by me are garbage. I would 100% recommend this on a convertible, coupe I definitely THINK it would help but I can't say that for sure. Great quality, pricing in line or a bit better than others I have seen, and super easy to work with.

Website for those interested: http://www.tw-kcdesign.com/products.php

Torque the front bolts to 30NM, I confirmed this with trusted sources (Matt the Dinan Tsar at Thompson). BTW the rear even works with the BMW OEM trunk liner installed, which was a nice surprise. Last photo rear isn't scratched, that's a feather or something that came out of my jacket

[jase2addict]

Any added squeaks with the bars? Are they tightly secured, as in no wiggle room? What are your thoughts on that four point rear bar? Or any of the rear bars for that matter. is it worth it for street driving?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by jase2addict

Any added squeaks with the bars? Are they tightly secured, as in no wiggle room? What are your thoughts on that four point rear bar? Or any of the rear bars for that matter. is it worth it for street driving?

No squeaks whatsoever. There is no wiggle room either front or rear, and the rear bar just to be clear just attaches at 2 points with torx screws. The front is bolted in 3 places on each side. For the front you can reuse the bolts already there, I spent $20 (probably not necessary) to get brand new ones since BMW claims they are single use only. The rear was a 5 minute job, the front 10 minutes.

Unlike some bars these don't have a pivot point or anything they are completely solid.

Rear bar I haven't driven it a ton but I did notice a bit of a difference. Took car to shop yesterday for an unrelated matter and then got a flat tire, so it's sitting in the garage right now. Did use that as an excuse to buy a proper floor jack though!

Worth it for street, up to you and how much you notice these things. I'd say for a vert worth it 100% front 75% rear, coupe I don't know but guessing 75% front 25% rear.

They also just look cool

[jase2addict]

They def look the part. I'm looking at the rear four point brace. I'm thinking it will allow better delivery of power and faster acceleration. But I'm just guessing here.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by jase2addict

They def look the part. I'm looking at the rear four point brace. I'm thinking it will allow better delivery of power and faster acceleration. But I'm just guessing here.

Yeah I figured the front at least with the CF dipped engine cover really looked the business.

[marcthedark]

Is there an English language website (I couldn't find it using the link)

What did you pay for front/back?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by marcthedark

Is there an English language website (I couldn't find it using the link)

What did you pay for front/back?

I can dig it up but I am pretty sure it was $165 for the front + $30 shipping then $125 for the rear + $15 shipping. I might be off a dollar or two but that's pretty close. I assume you could do the whole thing for like $325 shipped if you order all at once.

I didn't use another website but here's KC's email I would just contact him
kc7133@gmail.com

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by jase2addict

They def look the part. I'm looking at the rear four point brace. I'm thinking it will allow better delivery of power and faster acceleration. But I'm just guessing here.

I just looked at the 4 Point bar you are investigating. I did not know they made that, but the convertible already has a bunch of bracing there so not sure how effective it would be (belt and suspenders). That said on the coupe I think it could be a worthwhile upgrade. Or perhaps source the under chassis brace for the vert and install on your coupe if it's not crazy money. For that I'd check with Brian at Sun BMW in Mechanicsburg.

[marcthedark]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I can dig it up but I am pretty sure it was $165 for the front + $30 shipping then $125 for the rear + $15 shipping. I might be off a dollar or two but that's pretty close. I assume you could do the whole thing for like $325 shipped if you order all at once.

I didn't use another website but here's KC's email I would just contact him
kc7133@gmail.com

Looks like a "must do" upgrade for the convertible .... cheap and effective

[jase2addict]

This is what I wanted to do. Get all three for a price break if possible or save on shipping. Not a bad investment considering if it improves handling and power transfer on a coupe. The install is non invasive as well. I'm worried about clearance for the rear 4 point brace as my car is dropped. With my Dinan suspension and these struts I should have a very fun agile city car. My car will never see a track. I always liked stiff responsive rides. Suspension gurus I seek your guidance. Worth doing?

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I can dig it up but I am pretty sure it was $165 for the front + $30 shipping then $125 for the rear + $15 shipping. I might be off a dollar or two but that's pretty close. I assume you could do the whole thing for like $325 shipped if you order all at once.

I didn't use another website but here's KC's email I would just contact him
kc7133@gmail.com

[BEM-S4]

Just a heads up for vert guys not sure that under car 4 point brace would work. I was under my car on a lift looking at the exhaust the other day and there's already a LOT of extra bracing bolted on down there.

[Bee Pee]

Struggling to see how the rear brace will be effective.

IIRC, the tie-down points in the boot, used to fix this brace, aren't bolted to anything substantial for rear brace in the trunk to be of any use....

[eclipes]

This might be good. The front 2 point, middle 4 point and rear 2 point should clean things up. Better alternative than installing front and rear sway

[allthatisntnow]

Originally Posted by eclipes

This might be good. The front 2 point, middle 4 point and rear 2 point should clean things up. Better alternative than installing front and rear sway

Unfortunately, strut braces aren't a total substitute for sway bars. Sway bars link the suspension side to side to reduce body roll and improve handling. If you stiffen the chassis (as with a strut brace) you can actually worsen the effect of body roll if the sways aren't up to task. Its a good idea if you have a vert to reduce flex in the 'weaker' chassis, but in the coupe you'd want to do either both or just sway bars. Id question the ROI on putting all the bracing in the coupe though as its pretty stiff as is. Still tempting though.

[BEM-S4]

Yeah I think on a vert it's kind of a no brainer. If anyone fits the lower 4 point rear on a vert please report back. I'm interested but questioning fit and effect since there's bracing there already.

I started where I did since there was nothing there versus doubling down on something bmw already did. Probably a better ROI. Plus the lower rear requires getting the car up in the air.

[Dylan86]

Interested in the lower 4 point brace, and maybe the front strut tower brace. What's the process like with these guys? I tried to navigate through the site but can't read the lingo..

[jase2addict]

Dylan email them what you are interested and where you want it shipped. They will quote you and give you shipping options. I'm pretty much sold on front and rear. The 4 point is 260. I would like conformation it does not make any squeaking noises and its actual benefit to our cars.

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by jase2addict

Dylan email them what you are interested and where you want it shipped. They will quote you and give you shipping options. I'm pretty much sold on front and rear. The 4 point is 260. I would like conformation it does not make any squeaking noises and its actual benefit to our cars.

Thanks

[JQuach07]

Best way to contact them via Facebook. They now have carbon version of the front brace.

https://www.facebook.com/kcdesign.tw/

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by JQuach07

Best way to contact them via Facebook. They now have carbon version of the front brace.

https://www.facebook.com/kcdesign.tw/

It's insane expensive and not CF just paint finish on standard brace. KC will take your money if you insist but even he will tell you it's a waste.

[ai388]

curious to know how it changes the handling, can you please share your experience?

thank you!

[dsramme2]

Anyone followed thru on the 4 point rear bar?
looks a bit more solid then the orginal one.