E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > Engine Strut Brace



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-09-2006, 05:14 PM   #1
xdrive
Second Lieutenant
20
Rep
250
Posts

Drives: 330xi
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Engine Strut Brace

Has anyone ordered/installed the OEM engine strut brace?
Did you notice any difference with it installed?
Does it make it better or worse?
Are aftermarket strut brace just as good?

Name:  01.jpg
Views: 3714
Size:  165.0 KB
Appreciate 0
      12-09-2006, 05:20 PM   #2
just4kickz
boku no namae ha...
United_States
334
Rep
11,025
Posts

Drives: 2006 BS 330i
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: S. Bay Area, CA + Newark, NJ + ChiCity + True Blue

iTrader: (11)

Garage List
2006 E90 330i  [0.00]
thers a DIY in the DIY section.

personally i wouldn't use "noticing a gain" as a way to measure whether or not it helps...
__________________
looking for a PreLCI Black Sapphire e90 front bumper without license plate holes

"Akimbo shotguns. Broken wrists anyone? And don't give me that 'it's just a game' bull****. Where the **** are my akimbo interventions then?! One scope on each eye mother****er!!"
Appreciate 0
      12-09-2006, 11:33 PM   #3
cm3rc
Colonel
cm3rc's Avatar
United_States
85
Rep
2,221
Posts

Drives: 2006 E90
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ferndale MI

iTrader: (8)

Garage List
06 325i  [0.00]
just did mine just now.
i feel a little response in handling? not sure still need to drive a bit more supposedly frogman says its use is for the chasis..
Quote:
Originally Posted by ksfrogman
Strut bars firm up the chassis.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-10-2006, 02:43 AM   #4
ksfrogman
Major General
ksfrogman's Avatar
United_States
570
Rep
6,750
Posts

Drives: E90 330i 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Torrance, CA

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2006 330i  [0.00]
2006 330i  [0.00]
Don't forget to use the search function. Type in "strut brace," and you will see several related threads.

The E90 body is 25% more rigid than the E46 sedan. The new 3 is longer, wider and lower than the previous generation E46. Yet it retains the same weight and even higher handling and performance characteristics.

Nonetheless, any unibody constructed vehicle aims to provide a balance of being lightweight, and rigid, especially under load bearing stress. When the chassis is stressed, say with hard cornering, esp. on not-so-even terrain, the strut towers may flex, albeit very slightly. The E90 already has a couple of strut tower braces, but none that attach the left and right together to more solidly firm up medial and lateral movement. This is what the strut brace does as it aims to increase chassis rigidity.

The hood is made of steel, but does not firmly brace the left and right fenders, since it must hinge and open.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-10-2006, 11:13 AM   #5
cm3rc
Colonel
cm3rc's Avatar
United_States
85
Rep
2,221
Posts

Drives: 2006 E90
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ferndale MI

iTrader: (8)

Garage List
06 325i  [0.00]
thanks for the info!!
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-10-2006, 06:14 PM   #6
arcrox
E90post addict
arcrox's Avatar
9
Rep
481
Posts

Drives: 2024 G20 M340i
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Scottsdale, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 325i  [0.00]
word on the grapevine says sway bars are a better way to improve chassis rigidity...
Appreciate 0
      12-10-2006, 06:26 PM   #7
Chesmu
Brigadier General
Chesmu's Avatar
United_States
89
Rep
3,011
Posts

Drives: 2013 X6
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Phoenix,AZ

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2006 330i  [0.00]
2006 330i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by arcrox
word on the grapevine says sway bars are a better way to improve chassis rigidity...
that's not the grapevine... that's fact.

It's also a fact that sways cost a LOT more than the strut brace. The brace is a good first step.
__________________
"Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."
Appreciate 0
      12-10-2006, 07:33 PM   #8
ADHD
Brigadier General
ADHD's Avatar
United_States
195
Rep
4,080
Posts

Drives: F30 328i
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Magic Mountain

iTrader: (38)

Garage List
21 M540i  [0.00]
07 e90 335  [0.00]
my OEM strut bar is for sale for 200$ pm me if your intrested
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-10-2006, 10:25 PM   #9
Biemdreamer
Ferris Bueller
1
Rep
79
Posts

Drives: 2007 E90 328i
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Houston, Texas

iTrader: (0)

I feel that I have a tighter ride with respect to response from my input to the steering wheel - a bit more stiff. I don't regret placing my OEM strut brace. My understanding is that the strut brace addresses ridgidity in the front end ride (less flex) whereas anti-sway bars (or in our case stiffer bars) reduce lateral motion (less sway/roll). Feel free to correct me if wrong...anyone....anyone....Bueller?....Bueller?.. ...
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2006, 11:09 PM   #10
Chesmu
Brigadier General
Chesmu's Avatar
United_States
89
Rep
3,011
Posts

Drives: 2013 X6
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Phoenix,AZ

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2006 330i  [0.00]
2006 330i  [0.00]
any aftermarket strut braces for the e90?

edit: just checked DINAN site.... for only 400.00, you can have a straight bar that blocks the oil cap and says DINAN on it...
Attached Images
 
__________________
"Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."

Last edited by Chesmu; 12-18-2006 at 09:21 PM..
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2006, 11:30 PM   #11
just4kickz
boku no namae ha...
United_States
334
Rep
11,025
Posts

Drives: 2006 BS 330i
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: S. Bay Area, CA + Newark, NJ + ChiCity + True Blue

iTrader: (11)

Garage List
2006 E90 330i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chesmu
any aftermarket strut braces for the e90?

edit: just checked DINAN site.... for only 400.00, you can have a straight bar that blocks the oil cap and says DINAN on it...
no shanksyou... might as well get a knife and shred my wallet to pieces.

i have the bmw oem one from morris
__________________
looking for a PreLCI Black Sapphire e90 front bumper without license plate holes

"Akimbo shotguns. Broken wrists anyone? And don't give me that 'it's just a game' bull****. Where the **** are my akimbo interventions then?! One scope on each eye mother****er!!"
Appreciate 0
      12-18-2006, 12:51 AM   #12
obLu
Major
obLu's Avatar
50
Rep
1,159
Posts

Drives: 330i 6MT ZSP
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA, USA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chesmu
that's not the grapevine... that's fact.

It's also a fact that sways cost a LOT more than the strut brace. The brace is a good first step.
Sways change the handling of the car, but they don't do anything to increase the structural rigidity of the car. Sways are suspension. Strut bar is chassis bracing.
Appreciate 0
      12-18-2006, 09:19 PM   #13
Chesmu
Brigadier General
Chesmu's Avatar
United_States
89
Rep
3,011
Posts

Drives: 2013 X6
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Phoenix,AZ

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2006 330i  [0.00]
2006 330i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by obLu
Sways change the handling of the car, but they don't do anything to increase the structural rigidity of the car. Sways are suspension. Strut bar is chassis bracing.
thank you for clearing that up. Admittedly, i'm still new to all of this.
__________________
"Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."
Appreciate 0
      12-18-2006, 09:39 PM   #14
obLu
Major
obLu's Avatar
50
Rep
1,159
Posts

Drives: 330i 6MT ZSP
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA, USA

iTrader: (1)

np ... sways are the better buy. I loved being able to dial in the handling of my previous cars. Only thing stopping me on the e90 is the rear bar install is too involved for my tastes. And the install charges make it more expensive than it should be.
Appreciate 0
      12-18-2006, 09:43 PM   #15
ChineseGuy
QuickShifter
ChineseGuy's Avatar
137
Rep
1,500
Posts

Drives: Black E90
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: North Pole

iTrader: (2)

i wonder what happens when you crash with your lovely strut brace.....

i can imagine only the front bumper is screwed you didn't have a strut brace...

but what if you installed a strut brace??~....i'm guessing the frame might bend.....
Appreciate 0
      12-18-2006, 11:34 PM   #16
AKbmw
Brigadier General
AKbmw's Avatar
Armenia
243
Rep
3,253
Posts

Drives: M-Sport LCI
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LA

iTrader: (13)

yea bro'scar has a huge one/// looks pretty cool lolll
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-30-2006, 11:50 PM   #17
cm3rc
Colonel
cm3rc's Avatar
United_States
85
Rep
2,221
Posts

Drives: 2006 E90
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ferndale MI

iTrader: (8)

Garage List
06 325i  [0.00]
deeeng thats looks amazing!!
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2006, 12:14 AM   #18
jjhan85
J-Han
5
Rep
398
Posts

Drives: BMW E90 325i jetblack
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Maryland

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
damn that Jeep is AWESOMe... i love that thing.
__________________
325i // Sport Package // 6 speed manual // AFE intake // Resonator + Muffler Delete // 20% tints//

Appreciate 0
      12-31-2006, 01:23 PM   #19
Jaws
Lieutenant Colonel
Jaws's Avatar
Canada
45
Rep
1,738
Posts

Drives: 2006 325i mt
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Edmonton

iTrader: (0)

^That may look good, but how does that improve structural rigidity if it is bent? A bent piece of metal is called a spring.
__________________
2006 325i - Sparkling Graphite
2000 S2000 - New Formula Red
2007 Chev Silverado crew cab Z71
Appreciate 0
      12-31-2006, 03:55 PM   #20
Adham
Second Lieutenant
Adham's Avatar
10
Rep
243
Posts

Drives: 335i sedan
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dallas, TX

iTrader: (0)

i would think that OEM bar would need to be ridiculously strong material to function correctly ...
Appreciate 0
      01-01-2007, 04:17 PM   #21
Chio
Lieutenant
Chio's Avatar
United_States
106
Rep
560
Posts

Drives: G80 M3 Comp Xdrive
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: STL

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2018 S6  [10.00]
where can you get that strut bar from??
Appreciate 0
      03-28-2007, 10:14 PM   #22
Chesmu
Brigadier General
Chesmu's Avatar
United_States
89
Rep
3,011
Posts

Drives: 2013 X6
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Phoenix,AZ

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2006 330i  [0.00]
2006 330i  [0.00]
so has anyone gone and bought the Dinan brace?
__________________
"Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:37 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST