11-27-2021, 06:39 PM | #1 |
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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.
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Rick Snyder | No BMW currently...
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12-05-2021, 10:43 AM | #3 |
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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.
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12-05-2021, 11:11 PM | #5 |
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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.
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12-06-2021, 04:36 PM | #7 | |
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12-06-2021, 10:42 PM | #8 | ||
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12-07-2021, 09:09 AM | #9 | |
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Front brace is: BMW X5 G05 FRONT LEFT/RIGHT CROSS BRACE STRUT 51617329746 Should find plenty of them from Latvia and ebay. Good luck |
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Bearco65.00 |
12-07-2021, 02:21 PM | #10 |
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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.
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Bearco65.00 FullFatDoom187.50 |
12-08-2021, 02:52 AM | #12 | |
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2020 M50d - Arctic Gray with Ivory White/Black Vernasca
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01-03-2022, 02:52 PM | #13 |
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Why not just get your braces powder coated?
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01-06-2022, 10:29 AM | #14 |
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That's why.
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snickryder68.00 |
01-06-2022, 11:38 AM | #15 |
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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 |
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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 |
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01-12-2022, 07:25 AM | #17 | |
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ewizzle34.50 |
02-06-2022, 09:39 AM | #18 |
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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.. |
02-11-2022, 06:27 PM | #19 | |
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Likely gonna try that myself. |
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02-19-2022, 01:08 PM | #21 | |
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02-19-2022, 03:37 PM | #22 | ||
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"Bought some replacement braces from BimmerWorld". Just got to www.BimmerWorld.com
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