Engine Strut Brace

[SystemLord]

Hey guys; I have been thinking about getting a engine strut brace for my 03 z4. I wanted to check in if anyone has installed an engine strut brace for their z4? Was there any change inn the handling? Any suggestions?

What do you guys think about this one?
http://www.eagleday.com/z4roenstbr.html
Its one of the few I found and seems to look the best; but expensive.


Thx
Manu

 

[decio]

I'm planning to purchase this thing http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/en/bmw-cars/products-models/z4/e85-e86-2002-2008/z4-roadster-coupe/suspensions/

 

[cj10jeeper]

Run a search as there have been many discussions on them, different types and designs.

I've fitted the Alutec on mine.

Some report an improvement, others no change. Depends how much you push it and how aware of the car you are as to if you'll feel any change.

 

[sk93]

Hey guys; I have been thinking about getting a engine strut brace for my 03 z4. I wanted to check in if anyone has installed an engine strut brace for their z4? Was there any change inn the handling? Any suggestions?

What do you guys think about this one?
http://www.eagleday.com/z4roenstbr.html
Its one of the few I found and seems to look the best; but expensive.


Thx
Manu

Don't buy that - it's a rip off!
It's just the official BMW one (part no:51710305114) which is over $100 cheaper than that site directly from a steeler!

http://www.cooper-bmw-parts.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&sku=51710305114&Search=Go&page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&option=com_virtuemart

 

[melbs]

if you ain't tracking or racing your car then keep it stock, just not worth your money.

its similar to changing to big brake kits, coil overs or steel braided brake lines with 5.1 fluids, useless if you do not track.

i know a few people that keep putting performance parts in their cars but rarely go to the track, then when they track, they don't even have a go at it. its a shame, really.

worse they always claim to have felt a lot of difference :thumbsdown:

 

[AlanJ]

if you ain't tracking or racing your car then keep it stock, just not worth your money.

its similar to changing to big brake kits, coil overs or steel braided brake lines with 5.1 fluids, useless if you do not track.

i know a few people that keep putting performance parts in their cars but rarely go to the track, then when they track, they don't even have a go at it. its a shame, really.

worse they always claim to have felt a lot of difference :thumbsdown:

Conversely I know many people who have made substitution changes (better brakes, braided lines, strut braces etc.) and found noticeable improvements to vehicle ability and capability both on the road and track...... . Perhaps in this case the experience of many outweight the experience of the few (wasn't that Spock on Stra Trek... )

 

[Joe@Soper]

Hey guys; I have been thinking about getting a engine strut brace for my 03 z4. I wanted to check in if anyone has installed an engine strut brace for their z4? Was there any change inn the handling? Any suggestions?

What do you guys think about this one?
http://www.eagleday.com/z4roenstbr.html
Its one of the few I found and seems to look the best; but expensive.


Thx
Manu

Don't buy that - it's a rip off!
It's just the official BMW one (part no:51710305114) which is over $100 cheaper than that site directly from a steeler!

http://www.cooper-bmw-parts.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&sku=51710305114&Search=Go&page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&option=com_virtuemart

I can supply 51710305114 for £200 Delivered. 2 Year Unlimited milage warranty as standard.

Install instructions:

http://bmwjoy.co.uk/z4%20strut%20brace.pdf

 

[toplad]

You can feel the frontend is tighter with the brace and it doesn't have to be on the track, also notice the difference on bumpy and rough roads

info here

http://www.europeancarweb.com/tuned/epcp_0709_project_z4m/index.html

 

[BMWZ4MC]

PM ace - he's been trying to sell the strut brace from his non-///M Z4 for a while now. I'm sure he'd be prepared to make you a deal.

 

[craig3.2]

Read joe@sopers post/a decent deal
i paid aprox £190 ish over a year ago,and that was with a bmw carclub discount/so thats a good "delivered" price!

It DOES make a noticeable diffirence,on turn in/sharpness ,when cornering,etc. (in the Roadster,anyway). A BIG improvement,IMO


(And i mean on normal roads/driving,as i don't track mine)

 

[Smokin]

No real difference in the coupe in day to day driving, but I like the bling factor. 8)

 

[Aebous]

if you ain't tracking or racing your car then keep it stock, just not worth your money.

its similar to changing to big brake kits, coil overs or steel braided brake lines with 5.1 fluids, useless if you do not track.

i know a few people that keep putting performance parts in their cars but rarely go to the track, then when they track, they don't even have a go at it. its a shame, really.

worse they always claim to have felt a lot of difference :thumbsdown:

Conversely I know many people who have made substitution changes (better brakes, braided lines, strut braces etc.) and found noticeable improvements to vehicle ability and capability both on the road and track...... . Perhaps in this case the experience of many outweight the experience of the few (wasn't that Spock on Stra Trek... )

My 0.02 cents. This is on a Roadster....not the coupe.
I had been to the track 3 times (first was mostly car control classes) with Falken 452's and the rest of the car bone stock. For the 4th event I added the horizontal strut brace from Alutech (no longer making em). I did feel a noticeable difference when cornering and turning in on the track. As far as normal day to day driving the strut bar did reduce tram-lining.

I have also at roughly the same time installed braided brake lines....only noticed a difference at the track towards the end of the session. It helped me tell immediately if the brakes didn't seem to be grabbing as hard.

 

[Siftah]

As I've just fitted the BMW strut-bace this weekend (thanks ace!) I thought I'd update the thread with my thoughts

I didn't really expect there to be any difference after adding this as I though the chassis felt quite firm anyway. I figured I'd be able to sell it on for what I paid for it so no-loss if it didn't make much of a difference.

However, I'll be keeping it. There's a definite improvement in the front end feel, feels like the turn-in is sharper or if it's not then you at least feel like you know more about what the front wheels are doing.

Contrary to Aebous comments above, I actually thought the tramlining felt worse rather than better - though it's maybe to do with there being more feel rather than it actually making anything worse.

Fitting is a 10 minute job, you'll need a 13mm socket. I smeared a bit of grease on the back of the bar where it mates with the suspension turrets to stop corrosion getting in. But everything stays dry and warm under the bonnet so it's probably un-necessary.

I'm going to leave it on for a while then take it off again and go for another drive - I was convinced this wouldn't make much difference but it's definitely a noticeable improvement.

What really confuses me is why BMW didn't leave these on as standard if it makes such a difference - they didn't need to make it out of shiny aluminium for a start, it could have been a cheap steel bar like the one from the turrets to the bulkhead. Probably less than a tenner and yet a noticeable improvement to the steering feel, why wouldn't they?

*EDIT* I've probably answered my own question there - the Z4 was perceived as having too harsh a ride when it was released, mostly due to the runflats. Perhaps this was removed at the last minute in an attempt to soften the suspension a little? It always seemed weird that there's a bar from the bulkhead to turrets and yet not across the turrets.

 

[srhutch]

Looks good, but you engine need a good detailing

 

[Siftah]

Looks good, but you engine need a good detailing

I'd be tempted to get it steam cleaned, don't fancy pressure washing it.

Still, that layer of dirt helps keep the engine and oil up at the correct temperature during colder weather

 

[ZermattV]

I would leave it until after scotland then you can steam clean the not inconsiderable midge weight out of the engine bay...

 

[Siftah]

I would leave it until after scotland then you can steam clean the not inconsiderable midge weight out of the engine bay...

hehe

Though at the moment, I'll not be getting to Scotland - I reckon I've enough fuel to get me to Lancaster at best! (http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20592)

 

[craig3.2]

Yeah,u defntly have to ditch the runflats.
As i mentioned in a post last year,imho,it transforms the z4/from a car thats not qt as good as a boxster,to one that equals or betters it ,in regards to sharp(er) turn-in,better ride/handling/comfort. thats if u ditch those runflats at the same time;or,as u said,it tends to exaggerate the tramlining more.
Get some lovely/wonderfull VREDESTEINS(ULTRACS/SEESANTAS/OR the new one they have just brought out??)

 

[Siftah]

Yeah,u defntly have to ditch the runflats.
As i mentioned in a post last year,imho,it transforms the z4/from a car thats not qt as good as a boxster,to one that equals or betters it ,in regards to sharp(er) turn-in,better ride/handling/comfort. thats if u ditch those runflats at the same time;or,as u said,it tends to exaggerate the tramlining more.
Get some lovely/wonderfull VREDESTEINS(ULTRACS/SEESANTAS/OR the new one they have just brought out??)

Definitely - if the change to non-runflats is as dramatic as the strut brace then I'll be a very happy chappy

 

[chris]

Many of you upgraded to powerflex ARB bushes? Makes a good difference also, probably more than a strut brace, but i mean day to day driving you notice them more. I think they do make a difference, but with other mods as well :wink: