Strut tower reinforcement rings

[Jamturbo]

Hi,

After tackling the vanos at some point, my next job is to replace the front and rear shocks.
I have read that some people have added reinforcement rings inside the front strut tower and on the outside for the rear.

Is this essential?

Thanks

James

 

[TheDan]

I wouldn't say essential as many zeds have run into the 150,000+ miles without them and seen very little in the way of "mushrooming/ballooning", but others have seen this issue at 60,000 miles.

I have bought some and will be fitting them soon alongside new struts and springs. I picked up a pair of front reinforcement plates for £35 posted and rear reinforcement plates for £13 posted.

My thoughts were, since I am spending £300+ on struts and springs, whats an extra ~£48 to make sure I don't have one of these issues in the future.

 

[Jamturbo]

True. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Along with an OEM strut brace, I have these OEM front strut tower reinforcement plates on mine. They’re intended for the E36 but fit the Z4 too:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspension-Steering/Reinforcements/Front-Strut-Tower-Reinforcement-Plates-E36.html

 

[Jakg]

The fronts increase the ride height so I didn't bother (plus weren't cheap), the rears were cheap enough that it seemed sensible even if not necessary.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

The fronts increase the ride height so I didn't bother (plus weren't cheap)...

Only by their own thickness, which is all of 3mm. Mine cost about a tenner from a BMW dealer and those to which I’ve posted a link are 17 USD (or 13 GBP).

 

[kis]

Didn't realise you could use E36 ones? I was looking at the E46 ones...

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Yep, they fit no problem.
I’ve also fitted RE monoball rear shock mounts which both reinforce the strut tower and reduce the play in the rear shock mounting. They too are common to the E30, E36, E46 and Z4.

 

[Jakg]

The fronts increase the ride height so I didn't bother (plus weren't cheap)...

Only by their own thickness, which is all of 3mm. Mine cost about a tenner from a BMW dealer and those to which I’ve posted a link are 17 USD (or 13 GBP).

Ok - I was seeing prices of £45-50 which was a bit different - at least delivered, in the UK.