Simon 3.2M
Senior member
I’m look to put a brace on the M but I’m unsure if the E46 M3 will fit (with a little modding) can anyone advise please?
Strut brace
- Thread starter Simon 3.2M
- Start date
Vanne said:Plastic covers for the strut tower? No thanks
If the covers can't be easily removed that indeed may be a hassle when you have damping adjustable coilovers like your KW CS.
But if you haven't it can shield the underlying pillowball or axial bearing from dust and water.
Spaniarduk
Member
Can people tell any difference in every day driving, or this a mod that becomes appatent just on track days? Does the strut bar still allow for increased camber by removing the steuts' alignment pins and push the struts inboard?
Spaniarduk
Member
Spaniarduk said:
Spaniarduk
Member
Hello [ref]RedUn[/ref], thanks for explaining. I was only asking because I have already removed the pins in mine and I would like to be able to keep it that way should I decide to go for the front strut bar (still sitting in the fence on that one). I haven’t felt the need for doing any tracking as the tyre wear and steering feel remain the same as before apart from the marginally but albeit welcomed reduced understeer when pushing round corners. It makes sense to think that removing the pins would alter the toe, but it’s probably minimal difference (?)
Thanks again
Thanks again
Spaniarduk said:
I can’t comment on the Z4M.
But my E46 M3 is a pre-facelift and so didn’t come with the strut brace from factory.
However I’ve driven facelift M3s with the brace and did not notice any significant difference in handling.
If you want to sharpen up your front end, you’re probably better off investing in a good quality coilover kit. Since installing my KWs I noticed a big difference in turn-in and the overall balance/flatness of the car.
Spaniarduk said:
Ive had them on roadsters & coupes , unless you plan to push your car to the max then they offer little more than eye candy for when the bonnet is up
You really cannot tell sub 90mph even pushing into the bends , these cars were set up pretty well from the factory with no need for one otherwise it would be in there already .
As said above there is more to be gained from upgrading the stock suspension
Yes it will be fine, the bar is adjustable to take up the difference in top mount position.Spaniarduk said:Hello [ref]RedUn[/ref], thanks for explaining. I was only asking because I have already removed the pins in mine and I would like to be able to keep it that way should I decide to go for the front strut bar (still sitting in the fence on that one). I haven’t felt the need for doing any tracking as the tyre wear and steering feel remain the same as before apart from the marginally but albeit welcomed reduced understeer when pushing round corners. It makes sense to think that removing the pins would alter the toe, but it’s probably minimal difference (?)
Thanks again
Yes it's fine to leave like that just check the tyres often incase they start to scrub, I have my original geo print out somewhere that'll give toe with the camber pins pulled but I can't seem to find it!
Edit to add, above comments are spot on about changing the suspension, obviously there's a huge cost difference but for sure the strut brace will add extra strength to the top mounts if you do change the suspension at a later date. Overall its a nice easy mod that's future proof.