[d4springer]

Quick delivery from CA, this just turned up today and I happened to be at home (well it is almost the weekend!). Unfortunately I don't have my torque wrench yet so I can't fit it, would have been a nice weekend job!

Anyway I have placed it in position to give you an idea of the clearance, seems to be plenty of room and I could shut the bonnet without any problems as well (although I didn't slam it down just in case!).

Here's the obligatory crappy iPhone phots and before anyone mentions it yes I do need to mow the lawn, do some weeding and so on!

[Watsey]

Lower the bonnet, gently...

Would be interested to know whether you notice any significant difference when it's fully fitted.

[Tengocity]

Looks very shiny!

Looks like the kids have got their seats sorted to watch Dad struggle with some home car mechanics!

[rocketretro]

You saved me from stating the bleeding obvious about clearance, I'll be interested in your views once fitted and the adjustments have been made. Enjoy the weekend.

[d4springer]

Originally Posted by Watsey

Lower the bonnet, gently...

Would be interested to know whether you notice any significant difference when it's fully fitted.

Yes I kept hold of it whilst I lowered it down rather than let the springs take over, just clicked it into position, didn't hear anything clashing from inside!

[d4springer]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Looks very shiny!

Looks like the kids have got their seats sorted to watch Dad struggle with some home car mechanics!

They will be counting how many swear words I come out with!

[d4springer]

Originally Posted by Rocketretro

You saved me from stating the bleeding obvious about clearance, I'll be interested in your views once fitted and the adjustments have been made. Enjoy the weekend.

Jumperjohn has one coming as well, I'm hoping he gets his fitted before me! But will definitely feed back on any handling improvements (or problems!)

[Kal101]

What a coincidence !!

Had my one delivered today. Looking forward to hopefully fitting it tomorrow

Went for the mechunik one myself from bimian

Think there plenty of space under the bonnet. Put an empty plastic bottle on the engine cover and shut it without crushing it - not very scientific

[snipnoob86]

whats the supposed benefits of this?

[Kal101]

Tighter handling due to less flexing

Get a box and see how it twists without a lid. Then put the lid on and see how it stiffens up - basically the same principle.

[dopper99]

So, have you guys got one fitted yet? Wheres the write-up....?

[Kal101]

Just fitted mine

Done the obligatory test drive and found the car does feel more planted and you do also get a bit more bump thump coming through - but not unreasonably so.

Also tried it in sport chassis only then drivetrain and chassis with stick to the left. Definitely felt the difference again in handling but less of an effect on ride.

Only issue I had was with a bit of noise coming through where the strut brace was contacting the engine cover- on the top right. Don't believe this was so much of an issue with the strut brace itself more like my cover appears to be warped upwards. Easily remedied however by fitting a couple of felt pads at the point of contact

Generally pleased.

Didn't take long to do. Used the original bolts not the one supplied as the threads seemed different but torqued up ok so reckon should be ok. Had to loosen off the Allen screws as well to enable perfect fitment.

[Kal101]

And a pic

[Bricktrix]

Interesting to see how this effects a modern 3 / 4.

I found the instantly noticeable differences in much tighter "go-kart" feel turn in was on islands and car parks.....everything else was also a plus. Never once noticed any difference in ride quality.
However, this was back in 95 for 9 years on a 94 E36 M3, running Eibach progressive rate springs, standard M3 dampers, thicker ACS ARB's and bushes, front and rear Hamman strut braces on BBS 18 RC's.

[Kal101]

And another because I've taken it and you should look at it

[Kal101]

Or maybe this one

[jumperjohn]

Originally Posted by d4springer

Jumperjohn has one coming as well, I'm hoping he gets his fitted before me! But will definitely feed back on any handling improvements (or problems!)

Hi, it looks great, quite sophisticated!

I haven't received mine yet, I chose the carbon coated item and the make it specially by hand and on virgin thighs.

I'm looking forward to getting it, simple to fit.

[jumperjohn]

Originally Posted by Kal27

Just fitted mine

Done the obligatory test drive and found the car does feel more planted and you do also get a bit more bump thump coming through - but not unreasonably so.

Also tried it in sport chassis only then drivetrain and chassis with stick to the left. Definitely felt the difference again in handling but less of an effect on ride.

Only issue I had was with a bit of noise coming through where the strut brace was contacting the engine cover- on the top right. Don't believe this was so much of an issue with the strut brace itself more like my cover appears to be warped upwards. Easily remedied however by fitting a couple of felt pads at the point of contact

Generally pleased.

Didn't take long to do. Used the original bolts not the one supplied as the threads seemed different but torqued up ok so reckon should be ok. Had to loosen off the Allen screws as well to enable perfect fitment.

So it maybe a worthwhile investment, it's good we pioneers are charting unknown territory for the benefit of others!

I have two roundabouts that I gauge my mods on.

The first roundabout is for fast cornering, a 40 mph limit it's a tricky straight over which is a tight turn right then left, I can achieve this at around 30 mph, after my springs were fitted there was an improvement in handling but the speed was the same.

The second roundabout is a right turn into a long filter road for the A34. The turn is very tight, I use this to gauge how far the car leans and tilts over. After the springs there was improvement but I would like to see more flatness as I saw in the Seat 280 cupra.

I will test with the brace, then the ARBs!

[Andrewthefirst]

Interested in this! Looking forward to further comments from you guys to see if it will do anything for my 'bounciness'.

Btw, compliments to Kal & d4springer on impressively clean engine bays although Mr springer really needs that patio drive power washed!

Shoot me if silly question , but I'm assuming bmw will need the engine cover off at service time. Will you guys remove beforehand yourselves to avoid them messing it up?

[Bricktrix]

Originally Posted by jumperjohn

The second roundabout is a right turn into a long filter road for the A34. The turn is very tight, I use this to gauge how far the car leans and tilts over. After the springs there was improvement but I would like to see more flatness as I saw in the Seat 280 cupra.

I will test with the brace, then the ARBs!

Dont expect a strut brace to give you decreased lean or roll. It plays its part.
Expect tighter controlled turn in, it stops the top of your arches flexing towards or apart from each other mainly.

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by jumperjohn

So it maybe a worthwhile investment, it's good we pioneers are charting unknown territory for the benefit of others!

I have two roundabouts that I gauge my mods on.

The first roundabout is for fast cornering, a 40 mph limit it's a tricky straight over which is a tight turn right then left, I can achieve this at around 30 mph, after my springs were fitted there was an improvement in handling but the speed was the same.

The second roundabout is a right turn into a long filter road for the A34. The turn is very tight, I use this to gauge how far the car leans and tilts over. After the springs there was improvement but I would like to see more flatness as I saw in the Seat 280 cupra.

I will test with the brace, then the ARBs!

Goodman will look forward to reading that.

Does help with the flatness as you mentioned - not a massive difference but definitely an appreciable one.

Used to have a test track called it kals quarter mile. Star aight flat road in an industrial estate great for speed runs on a weekend. Then the council put in speed ramps.

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by Andrewthefirst

Interested in this! Looking forward to further comments from you guys to see if it will do anything for my 'bounciness'.

Btw, compliments to Kal & d4springer on impressively clean engine bays although Mr springer really needs that patio drive power washed!

Shoot me if silly question , but I'm assuming bmw will need the engine cover off at service time. Will you guys remove beforehand yourselves to avoid them messing it up?

As I said car feels more planted

Yes will remove at least the centre section if not all for 2 reasons

A don't want to pay extra half hr in garage labour for a job that I can do in about 10 mins

B. If it's not there when it goes in for a service can't affect the warranty.


Bit anal but I do clean the engine bay regularly.