[RNJ]

Planning to get a strut brace for my 340i, anyone has pictures to share?

saw a few options here
https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...rut_brace_f30/

[im_an_alien]

The car already has a strut brace, there are mixed opinions on this but I doubt you'll see a drastic change.
Lots of folks here have them though... I'd like to hear their take..

[Wires]

I don't have a pic handy but I bought a solid unit for my 340xi. I was on the fence since I kept hearing mixed reviews of it not adding value.

After putting it in, the car is a lot more flat in the corners. It used to twist and understeer more (like in traffic circles). Much less now.

[Samuaw]

I have one of those Weicher sport steel ones (I think Kies even did a video on it)
It isn’t quite night and day in terms of a better drive, but you do feel it being just a little more rigid for the turn in if you’re properly hammering it around.
My previous exp with a strut brace was on my Celica, and putting it on instantly made it feel stiffer- (more harsh of a ride generally, but better on track), but that’s probably because that chassis wasn’t all that rigid to begin with and I reduced the little comfort it might have had.

[auburnf30x]

I don't have a 340i, but for what it's worth. I have a strut brace on my 330i. I don't believe it offers any improvement in handling whatsoever. But it does improve the car in a few ways.

I noticed more feedback in the steering, I can actually feel the roadway somewhat whereas before it was pretty vague. I have also noticed that 90 degree turns with bumps or height distances that make the car "wobble" from side to side, it does so less than before.

As for being more flat in the corners...for me maybe, maybe not. I can't really tell. It's flat enough for me. If you're wanting it to improve your car's road feel I'd say go for it. If you expect significant performance differences you'll probably be disappointed.



It does require some cutting on the driver's side plastic beauty cover in front of the master cylinder, from what I can tell the 340i has this, too. Wasn't hard with a dremel and the cover still holds on well.

[Runner340]

Went with the Wiechers Sport Racingline Carbon Fiber Front Strut Brace. Not designed to fit the F30 340i

Had to do 30 minutes of work with a scroll saw on the F30 LCI 340i Control unit box mud cover to fit it.

[overkill1125]

Originally Posted by Samuaw

I have one of those Weicher sport steel ones (I think Kies even did a video on it)
It isn’t quite night and day in terms of a better drive, but you do feel it being just a little more rigid for the turn in if you’re properly hammering it around.
My previous exp with a strut brace was on my Celica, and putting it on instantly made it feel stiffer- (more harsh of a ride generally, but better on track), but that’s probably because that chassis wasn’t all that rigid to begin with and I reduced the little comfort it might have had.

Same boat, trying to decide which bar to get for my 440 F36. For me it's probably 80% for looks and 20% for actual improvement in chassis stability.
-Red Wiechers Sport looks great or Megan Racing which is half the cost.

On another note, is that MST clear cover hard to clean? Meaning does it scratch easily?

[MoeTE87]

I have the red Wiechers strut brace on my 340i, I believe it's one of the ones where you do not have to cut anything to install it. Which was a huge reason why I purchased it.

[thejeremyman9]

Read this thread: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...3#post28469223

See my post here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=233

I would only buy an adjustable one.

[Runner340]

Based off the weight, the CF Wiechers strut brace I believe is the Wiechers aluminum strut brace covered with a heavy carbon fiber covering for added rigidity. Surprisingly beefy and well made. I bought mine used locally from another F30Post member selling it for half the retail price last spring. I knew it wasn't a direct fit for the F3x B58 but after a few quick measurements it was worth trying. All I needed to do was cut a clearance slot on the $17 control box cover. I couldn't be happier with the look, fitment, quality and added rigidity to the car's chassis. Well worth the retail price IMO if I had to do it again. Looking at the ECSTuning site. Wiechers may have since modified their CF brace for the F3x B58 platform to fit without modifications.

[im_an_alien]

Do strut braces alter the characteristics of the crumple zone in a crash?

[johnung]

Originally Posted by im_an_alien

Do strut braces alter the characteristics of the crumple zone in a crash?

It shouldn't. It's oriented left to right not front to back.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by overkill1125

Same boat, trying to decide which bar to get for my 440 F36. For me it's probably 80% for looks and 20% for actual improvement in chassis stability.
-Red Wiechers Sport looks great or Megan Racing which is half the cost.

On another note, is that MST clear cover hard to clean? Meaning does it scratch easily?

I've got the Weichers aluminum strut brace but I had it powder coated. Looks great! Easy to remove to service the engine without having to touch the stretch bolts on top of the strut tower. See photo.

The strut brace eliminates the flex that occurs when you turn the wheel to enter a curve. That's why people report more responsive steering. That momentary flex is gone so the chassis feels quicker into the turn.

[Pussiwillow]

Originally Posted by johnung

I've got the Weichers aluminum strut brace but I had it powder coated. Looks great! Easy to remove to service the engine without having to touch the stretch bolts on top of the strut tower. See photo.

The strut brace eliminates the flex that occurs when you turn the wheel to enter a curve. That's why people report more responsive steering. That momentary flex is gone so the chassis feels quicker into the turn.

Nice! I'm thinking about doing one after I retrofit the m3 aluminum strut tower brace and what not. It's a little different set up, not sure how it'll work yet with the top plates that are fitted but I'll see after install in a month or 2
Have f80 vorshlag plates on the way

[MasossipiLee]

I don't think it makes a huge difference either, but it does feel a little stiffer when cornering. Went with the Masata ones on my 340i.

[Runner340]

Originally Posted by MasossipiLee

I don't think it makes a huge difference either, but it does feel a little stiffer when cornering. Went with the Masata ones on my 340i.

I was looking at the Masata early on and inquired with the dealer about it's construction but got no response. Asked whether it's a hollow channel underneath the cross brace, solid bar stock or square tubing construction. At the time, the pictures from the listing only had shown the finished top side and vague about the materials used in the product description.

[dmaxdmax]

I really wonder how much flex you'd reduce mounting another brace to exactly the same two points. The one we have is a pretty solid thing...have you taken it off to see? It's really beefy. Just saying.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_8381

[freakystyly]

You can argue either way..

It is quite beefy BUT OEM is two sides of a triangle vs. a direct bar.

These cars are not designed or built to be "race cars" so why would they be braced like one?

[Pussiwillow]

I'll update this thread if I can find it, when I do the f80 brace paired with a strut brace

F80 brace looks pretty beefy

[MasossipiLee]

Originally Posted by Runner340

I was looking at the Masata early on and inquired with the dealer about it's construction but got no response. Asked whether it's a hollow channel underneath the cross brace, solid bar stock or square tubing construction. At the time, the pictures from the listing only had shown the finished top side and vague about the materials used in the product description.

that sucks. I reached out to masata directly previously and they were pretty responsive. Then they referred me to a US dealer to purchase. maybe can ask your question to masata directly?

[johnung]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

I really wonder how much flex you'd reduce mounting another brace to exactly the same two points. The one we have is a pretty solid thing...have you taken it off to see? It's really beefy. Just saying.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_8381

I think that you are talking about the stock bar that attaches at the top of each shock tower and then angles back to a center point below the windshield. That doesn't do enough to handle the flex forces on the chassis at the front of the car.

Think of it like the shape of a "U". The sides of the "U" are the strut towers. The bottom is the car's chassis components. But the top is not connected. The sides of the "U" are originally parallel. But when they enter a turn the inside and outside towers are subject to different side forces so they flex and are no longer parallel.

A straight strut brace that connects the tops of the two shock towers puts a top on the "U". It forces them to remain parallel. The end result is that momentary chassis flex is drastically reduced. So the steering feels quicker upon entering a turn since there is no delay. It is a change that can absolutely be felt!

Hope this helps!

[dmaxdmax]

Originally Posted by johnung

I think that you are talking about the stock bar that attaches at the top of each shock tower and then angles back to a center point below the windshield. That doesn't do enough to handle the flex forces on the chassis at the front of the car.

Think of it like the shape of a "U". The sides of the "U" are the strut towers. The bottom is the car's chassis components. But the top is not connected. The sides of the "U" are originally parallel. But when they enter a turn the inside and outside towers are subject to different side forces so they flex and are no longer parallel.

A straight strut brace that connects the tops of the two shock towers puts a top on the "U". It forces them to remain parallel. The end result is that momentary chassis flex is drastically reduced. So the steering feels quicker upon entering a turn since there is no delay. It is a change that can absolutely be felt!

Hope this helps!

Yes, I'm talking about part #1, the strut brace.

I understand what you're saying...not sure our strut braces are the same, but mine is so beefy, I don't think the towers are going to move much either way. If there's some flex, I suspect it's more up and down than side to side, but is the goal of a racing chassis to be flex free? I'd think even F1 cars have some flex across the entire chassis...maybe not?

This f30 is so much stiffer than my e46. I have one turn near me at the top of a steep hill, I can feel one wheel lifting up...my e46 used to just flex through it and stayed down in all fours. Anyway, I'm not racing anywhere...just trying to stay alive on the NJT and GSP.