Where to source strut brace

Gonna follow this, I've seen a few but when digging deeper every one has mixed results. 2 I've seen/wanted are no longer made as well, was thinking maybe the one from the E46 M3 but they're pretty pricey for a heavily used part and still need some modification. Hopefully there is nice off the shelf one suggested.
 
The E46 M3 does fit, only needs modding if you run the camber pin still, which if you want any kind of meaningful camber you won’t.
Not a perfect a fit as the Z4 specific one but much more availability. If it helps I picked one up off eBay 6 months ago for £145 in v good condition. Fit and forget, hasn’t given me any issues so far….
 
I ordered this one last year direct from Wiechers in Germany

https://www.wiechers-sport.de/en/shop/dom-fahrwerkstreben/produkte/df--bmw-z4-e85---e86---2-5l---3-0l-domstrebe-stahl-vorne-oben-detail

I think it was about £100.00 delivered at the time. They also do one for the M, bolt straight in no need to modify anything. Can send a pic if you like :)
 
Rossm09 said:
Iv had a bit of a dig online and struggling to find where to buy a strut brace?
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Hi Ross,

there different option:
- OEM z4 isnt in production anymore i think';
- OEM M3, will fit (i did also) but less space between engine (fuel rail) and the bar. Personal i wont buy it again, its to close and can damage the rail or motor mounts.
- Just go with the Skyer Motorsport ones, good 3-way strutbrace which is comming out soon :). Check there instagram and sent Jordan a message.
 
RvsBmw said:
Rossm09 said:
Iv had a bit of a dig online and struggling to find where to buy a strut brace?
Click to expand...

- OEM M3, will fit (i did also) but less space between engine (fuel rail) and the bar. Personal i wont buy it again, its to close and can damage the rail or motor mounts.
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It is close but not that close, there's no contact, did you fit it properly? I've done numerous track days and general driving with it. Not sure how it can damage (I presume you mean) engine mounts?! Have you got any evidence of the above as I would be interested.

Skyer.....sure it'll be a bargain, they still flogging side covers for £300? :lol:
 
I bought one for sale on here but they aren't cheap now and a few have come up for £300-350 not many were made. The M3 version will fit if the camber pin is removed. These are a bit cheaper.
 
AndyBeech said:
It is close but not that close, there's no contact, did you fit it properly? I've done numerous track days and general driving with it. Not sure how it can damage (I presume you mean) engine mounts?! Have you got any evidence of the above as I would be interested.

Skyer.....sure it'll be a bargain, they still flogging side covers for £300? :lol:
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The engine height is very much dependent on the condition of your motor mounts. The engine usually sit a bit lower as the motor mounts age, assuming that you're not running solid motor mounts. So...Your Mileage May Vary. It's not a blanket statement that just because the bar cleared your car without issues that it will do the same on another car with newer/different engine mounts
 
XMetal said:
AndyBeech said:
It is close but not that close, there's no contact, did you fit it properly? I've done numerous track days and general driving with it. Not sure how it can damage (I presume you mean) engine mounts?! Have you got any evidence of the above as I would be interested.

Skyer.....sure it'll be a bargain, they still flogging side covers for £300? :lol:
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The engine height is very much dependent on the condition of your motor mounts. The engine usually sit a bit lower as the motor mounts age, assuming that you're not running solid motor mounts. So...Your Mileage May Vary...
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Mine are virtually brand new and I’ve no contact…..so I really don’t think that’s an issue.
 
XMetal said:
AndyBeech said:
It is close but not that close, there's no contact, did you fit it properly? I've done numerous track days and general driving with it. Not sure how it can damage (I presume you mean) engine mounts?! Have you got any evidence of the above as I would be interested.

Skyer.....sure it'll be a bargain, they still flogging side covers for £300? :lol:
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It's not a blanket statement that just because the bar cleared your car without issues that it will do the same on another car with newer/different engine mounts
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Maybe not but again are we talking anything evidential or just musings? My point is that non-evidential / hypothetical information isn't very useful, anyone can assume that something might or might not be the case but without anything to back it up it's not that useful as 'information'.

I'm not particularly defending the M3 strut, I'd happily take it off if there's reason to, I'm not affiliated with it in any way! :lol: I could happily sell it for what I brought it for so I've no reason to defend it, just passing on my actual experience with it so far which is the camber bolt needs removing and it slightly touches on the bonnet above one of the strut mountings.

I would agree though if Rvs said his was touching or close to it then I guess mileage can vary, seems odd though, should all fit the same. Maybe it was damaged, not fitted correctly, who knows, I'm not convinced it's engine mount related though. I think it's fair to say it's an imperfect solution but not unusable either.

Just as a reference point this is mine as fitted re: clearance
D326B805-6162-4F0F-B707-43DC98FE015D.jpeg
 
Reference Andys picture with the clearance,mines the same with the M3 brace,just about get my finger between the rail and brace.
 
If purchasing from Ebay or second hand in general the Strut Brace could have came off a car that was in an accident and warped it slightly so if possible it's worth asking. How much did you peeps pay for the M3 brace?
 
Optinium said:
If purchasing from Ebay or second hand in general the Strut Brace could have came off a car that was in an accident and warped it slightly so if possible it's worth asking. How much did you peeps pay for the M3 brace?
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eBay last year £165 with all the mounting nuts and caps.
 
AndyBeech said:
It is close but not that close, there's no contact, did you fit it properly? I've done numerous track days and general driving with it. Not sure how it can damage (I presume you mean) engine mounts?! Have you got any evidence of the above as I would be interested.
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My BMW dealer ordered it for me based on my information. Indeed the pins need to be removed, but thats what was needed in the first place and no issue (for me ;)).

I've spoken with a BMW mechanic in USA. He gave me the information about the lack of space and he wont recommend it to other people. Sometimes when im driving and go over a bump in a village/city, than i hear some noise. Guessing thats the fuel rail hitting the bar, but not sure ;). I've a MC with 42k miles and i think the motormounts arent replaced yet.. So with new ones it would sit higher?

Let me know if im wrong. Ive the M3 set and its fine for me at this point :).
 
A couple of washers is a good idea.
I've made holes underneath the bar where tiny marks were made, for clearance. But thats a little more work..
 
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