Engine cross brace swap

snickryder · 11-27-2021, 06:39 PM

I picked up my X5 at the end of May, and I've absolutely loved every mile (just over 10k of them) so far. However, it's always bugged me that the engine crosse braces are raw aluminum, tooling marks and all. Really BMW?!? *

Anyway, I finally decided to fix it. Bought some replacement braces from BimmerWorld, had them powder coated gloss black, and just finished the swap. This is my daily driver so I couldn't just pull the original ones off.

Here's the before and after. I think it looks much better and the car should have come this way to begin with.

BobsM3Coupe · 11-27-2021, 07:17 PM

snick - Looks great, though as you mentioned, it should have come that way from the factory.

snickryder · 12-05-2021, 10:43 AM

Just in case anyone else is interested in doing the same thing. I have my original braces that I could sell. PM me to discuss.

ted920 · 12-05-2021, 08:06 PM

I'm VERY INTERESTED.
LOOKS GREAT.
is it easy to take off originals and install new ones?

snickryder · 12-05-2021, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ted920

I'm VERY INTERESTED.
LOOKS GREAT.
is it easy to take off originals and install new ones?

Super easy. The two front torx (E12) bolts and the two outer (18mm) bolts on each side are the only ones that need to be fully removed. The two 18mm bolts on the firewall just need to be loosened, because the braces are slotted in that location. Took me maybe 20 minutes to change all four, and they can only go one way. Doesn't get much easier.

Bearco · 12-06-2021, 01:04 PM

Does anyone have the part number for these on the M50i? I tried searching a couple of parts sites with no luck.

DeYanko · 12-06-2021, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snickryder

I picked up my X5 at the end of May, and I've absolutely loved every mile (just over 10k of them) so far. However, it's always bugged me that the engine crosse braces are raw aluminum, tooling marks and all. Really BMW?!? *

Anyway, I finally decided to fix it. Bought some replacement braces from BimmerWorld, had them powder coated gloss black, and just finished the swap. This is my daily driver so I couldn't just pull the original ones off.

Here's the before and after. I think it looks much better and the car should have come this way to begin with.

What is that on the left brace? Tuner?

snickryder · 12-06-2021, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeYanko

Quote:

Originally Posted by snickryder

I picked up my X5 at the end of May, and I've absolutely loved every mile (just over 10k of them) so far. However, it's always bugged me that the engine crosse braces are raw aluminum, tooling marks and all. Really BMW?!? *

Anyway, I finally decided to fix it. Bought some replacement braces from BimmerWorld, had them powder coated gloss black, and just finished the swap. This is my daily driver so I couldn't just pull the original ones off.

Here's the before and after. I think it looks much better and the car should have come this way to begin with.

What is that on the left brace? Tuner?

Yes, RaceChip

KLCC · 12-07-2021, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearco

Does anyone have the part number for these on the M50i? I tried searching a couple of parts sites with no luck.

Original BMW 51617337923 and 51617337924 [SUPER PREIS] Domstrebe Stirnwand links

Front brace is: BMW X5 G05 FRONT LEFT/RIGHT CROSS BRACE STRUT 51617329746

Should find plenty of them from Latvia and ebay. Good luck

snickryder · 12-07-2021, 02:21 PM

Here are the part numbers I ordered:

Genuine BMW Strut Tower Brace, Front Left - 51617329745
Genuine BMW Strut Tower Brace, Front Right - 51617329746
Genuine BMW Strut Brace, Bulkhead, Left - 51617337923
Genuine BMW Strut Brace, Bulkhead, Right - 51617337924

At the time I ordered (7/22/2021), the front braces were roughly $23/each and the rears were $49/each.

FullFatDoom · 12-07-2021, 06:32 PM

Looks good. Thanks for sharing with us.

Kas63 · 12-08-2021, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snickryder

Here are the part numbers I ordered:

Genuine BMW Strut Tower Brace, Front Left - 51617329745
Genuine BMW Strut Tower Brace, Front Right - 51617329746
Genuine BMW Strut Brace, Bulkhead, Left - 51617337923
Genuine BMW Strut Brace, Bulkhead, Right - 51617337924

At the time I ordered (7/22/2021), the front braces were roughly $23/each and the rears were $49/each.

Knowing how "premium" BMW parts usually are I was expecting these braces to be way more expensive than that. At that price they seem great value.

R34L15T · 01-03-2022, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snickryder

Anyway, I finally decided to fix it. Bought some replacement braces from BimmerWorld, had them powder coated gloss black, and just finished the swap. This is my daily driver so I couldn't just pull the original ones off.

Why not just get your braces powder coated?

Bearco · 01-06-2022, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R34L15T

Why not just get your braces powder coated?

Quote:

Originally Posted by snickryder

Anyway, I finally decided to fix it. Bought some replacement braces from BimmerWorld, had them powder coated gloss black, and just finished the swap. This is my daily driver so I couldn't just pull the original ones off.

That's why.

toronto_m50i · 01-06-2022, 11:38 AM

I ended up swapping to the x5m competition brace. Massive difference in construction as the originals were aluminum, and the X5M is steel.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=28427068

ewizzle · 01-12-2022, 12:35 AM

Super interested. I have a can of Rust-Oleum high heat spray in a rattle can sitting in the garage. What's the down side of taking them off and spray painting them?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ole...8903/202623076

snickryder · 01-12-2022, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewizzle

Super interested. I have a can of Rust-Oleum high heat spray in a rattle can sitting in the garage. What's the down side of taking them off and spray painting them?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ole...8903/202623076

Absolutely nothing! Rattle can should work just fine. I've rattle canned plenty of parts in the past on my race cars and trucks. I wanted something a little more durable and "better" (purely subjective) for the X5.

Lifeisgood20 · 02-06-2022, 09:39 AM

Hey everyone-yesterday I went ahead and applied Vvivid carbon fiber vinyl wrap to the cross braces. While I’m certainly not a pro at applying vinyl wrap, I’m happy with how it turned out-great product BTW! Now I just hope it hold up to the extreme temp changes in Minnesota. I guess time will tell….

ted920 · 02-11-2022, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lifeisgood20

Hey everyone-yesterday I went ahead and applied Vvivid carbon fiber vinyl wrap to the cross braces. While I’m certainly not a pro at applying vinyl wrap, I’m happy with how it turned out-great product BTW! Now I just hope it hold up to the extreme temp changes in Minnesota. I guess time will tell….

Love it.

Likely gonna try that myself.

Lifeisgood20 · 02-19-2022, 12:21 PM

Thanks. I have a lot of the carbon fiber vinyl wrap left over-feel free to pm me if your interested.

1Mors · 02-19-2022, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snickryder

I picked up my X5 at the end of May, and I've absolutely loved every mile (just over 10k of them) so far. However, it's always bugged me that the engine crosse braces are raw aluminum, tooling marks and all. Really BMW?!? *

Anyway, I finally decided to fix it. Bought some replacement braces from BimmerWorld, had them powder coated gloss black, and just finished the swap. This is my daily driver so I couldn't just pull the original ones off.

Here's the before and after. I think it looks much better and the car should have come this way to begin with.

Where did you purchase the new rods that were powder coated ?

snickryder · 02-19-2022, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Mors

Quote:

Originally Posted by snickryder

I picked up my X5 at the end of May, and I've absolutely loved every mile (just over 10k of them) so far. However, it's always bugged me that the engine crosse braces are raw aluminum, tooling marks and all. Really BMW?!? *

Anyway, I finally decided to fix it. Bought some replacement braces from BimmerWorld, had them powder coated gloss black, and just finished the swap. This is my daily driver so I couldn't just pull the original ones off.

Here's the before and after. I think it looks much better and the car should have come this way to begin with.

Where did you purchase the new rods that were powder coated ?

From my original post:
"Bought some replacement braces from BimmerWorld". Just got to www.BimmerWorld.com

11-27-2021, 06:39 PM	#1
snickryder Private 68 Rep 65 Posts Drives: No BMW currently... Join Date: May 2021 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	Engine cross brace swap I picked up my X5 at the end of May, and I've absolutely loved every mile (just over 10k of them) so far. However, it's always bugged me that the engine crosse braces are raw aluminum, tooling marks and all. Really BMW?!? * Anyway, I finally decided to fix it. Bought some replacement braces from BimmerWorld, had them powder coated gloss black, and just finished the swap. This is my daily driver so I couldn't just pull the original ones off. Here's the before and after. I think it looks much better and the car should have come this way to begin with. Attached Images __________________ Rick Snyder \| No BMW currently...
	Appreciate 1 Bryantbjb52.00 Tweet Quote

11-27-2021, 07:17 PM	#2
BobsM3Coupe Brigadier General 1450 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: X5MC Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California iTrader: (4)	snick - Looks great, though as you mentioned, it should have come that way from the factory.
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12-05-2021, 10:43 AM	#3
snickryder Private 68 Rep 65 Posts Drives: No BMW currently... Join Date: May 2021 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	Just in case anyone else is interested in doing the same thing. I have my original braces that I could sell. PM me to discuss. Attached Images __________________ Rick Snyder \| No BMW currently...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-05-2021, 08:06 PM	#4
ted920 Lieutenant 154 Rep 402 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X5 40i, Lexus GS 300 Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I'm VERY INTERESTED. LOOKS GREAT. is it easy to take off originals and install new ones?
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12-06-2021, 01:04 PM	#6
Bearco Private First Class 65 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2022 X5 M50i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	Does anyone have the part number for these on the M50i? I tried searching a couple of parts sites with no luck.
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12-07-2021, 02:21 PM	#10
snickryder Private 68 Rep 65 Posts Drives: No BMW currently... Join Date: May 2021 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	Here are the part numbers I ordered: Genuine BMW Strut Tower Brace, Front Left - 51617329745 Genuine BMW Strut Tower Brace, Front Right - 51617329746 Genuine BMW Strut Brace, Bulkhead, Left - 51617337923 Genuine BMW Strut Brace, Bulkhead, Right - 51617337924 At the time I ordered (7/22/2021), the front braces were roughly $23/each and the rears were $49/each. __________________ Rick Snyder \| No BMW currently...
	Appreciate 2 Bearco65.00 FullFatDoom187.50 Quote

12-07-2021, 06:32 PM	#11
FullFatDoom Space Marine 188 Rep 186 Posts Drives: 2022 X5 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Northeast iTrader: (0)	Looks good. Thanks for sharing with us.
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01-06-2022, 11:38 AM	#15
toronto_m50i Wawaweewa 90 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW X5 M50i Join Date: May 2021 Location: Mississauga, ON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X5 M50i [10.00]	I ended up swapping to the x5m competition brace. Massive difference in construction as the originals were aluminum, and the X5M is steel. https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=28427068
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01-12-2022, 12:35 AM	#16
ewizzle Enlisted Member 35 Rep 45 Posts Drives: '22 X5 45e & '22 JLU 4xe Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Super interested. I have a can of Rust-Oleum high heat spray in a rattle can sitting in the garage. What's the down side of taking them off and spray painting them? https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ole...8903/202623076
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-06-2022, 09:39 AM	#18
Lifeisgood20 Private First Class 71 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 M Sport Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (1)	Hey everyone-yesterday I went ahead and applied Vvivid carbon fiber vinyl wrap to the cross braces. While I’m certainly not a pro at applying vinyl wrap, I’m happy with how it turned out-great product BTW! Now I just hope it hold up to the extreme temp changes in Minnesota. I guess time will tell…. Last edited by Lifeisgood20; 08-27-2022 at 08:19 AM..
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02-19-2022, 12:21 PM	#20
Lifeisgood20 Private First Class 71 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 M Sport Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (1)	Thanks. I have a lot of the carbon fiber vinyl wrap left over-feel free to pm me if your interested.
	Appreciate 0 Quote