Strut brace to buy or not to buy

[Zzrey]

I think it looks great, but do you folks really thinks it gives extra rigidity?? I've seen those OEM braces for under $300 at ebay. Is this do it yourself.

 

[rabman5]

Yes it is a DIY job, very simple. There has been MUCH debate regarding their effectiveness. Search the forum and you'll find several threads on this topic.

 

[Smokin]

if you have a torque wrench, 5 minute job

since yours is a 2009, make SURE it's the correct brace

 

[rabman5]

2009? I missed that part. I thought all 2009's were E89. It's a coupe so it must be a E85. right? :scratchhead:

 

[Smokin]

E85=roadster
E86=coupe
new ones E89?

I don't see a strut brace listed on the BMW site for the 09 Z4

 

[GP20]

No such thing as an '09 3.0si coupe. I think the OP meant an '08.

 

[Smokin]

Ah, missed the Si, but he says 2009.

For the Si, from experience, the strut tower brace goes directly over the oil filler cap and rests tightly against the air intake pipe. So far no problems with it. Doesn't add much except bling.

Check the threads. I put pictures of mine on it.

 

[Aebous]

From what i've gathered and determined, for roadsters the strut brace is a needed piece of equipment. For coupe's its just a bling thing.

I wonder where the '09 fits into the strut brace debate.

 

[561design]

I think it looks great, but do you folks really thinks it gives extra rigidity?? I've seen those OEM braces for under $300 at ebay. Is this do it yourself.

I wouldn't think of a strut brace as a visual mod, but whatever floats your boat. Yes the strut bar does add additional rigidity to the frame. You'll notice it taking corners at a rapid pace.

 

[Zzrey]

In south América the BMW dealer sold the last august production e86 as 2009 models! Not sure how it Works with the year it's made and the model year. Here since june of this year you can buy 2010 models of various brands!!! Mine was the last of the e86 sold down here ( great price). The export letter the car was shipped from Germany, not USA And comes as model 2009.

 

[Smokin]

The car might have been shipped from Germany, but it was made in the USA (Greenville, SC). See the other thread you started, but for parts, I would call yours a 2008. I bought my 2007 at the end of August 2007 (build date in late 06) and the 2008s were not yet on the lot. Production was in transition. NO 2009 models were made in SC and any made in Germany are the new E89s.