Who’s running a strut brace?

[True-Blue]

I’m interested as I happened across a Weicher aluminium one going cheap when I wasn’t even really looking for one

Anyway, spent 20 mins with my mini polisher and some metal polish and it’s come up lovely, looks almost like chrome now.

My understanding is it’s probably just adding a small amount of weight and some under bonnet sparkles,… and not doing much else. But I think it will look good so whatever really

 

[Silverstar]

There was a topic about this some time ago with some saying it makes no difference and others saying the opposite. Will be interesting as to what your thoughts are.

 

[B21]

The Bimmerworld guys came to the conclusion on the earlier E85 chassis it made a measurable difference, they used strain gauges and could see the strut towers flexing with the cornering loads etc..

The view on the E89 was that they had stiffened the chassis to the point that additional strut braces were superfluous.

The E89s strut towers are already externally braced.

I fitted one to my 35is and I’ve tried it now on and off and can’t detect any difference. FWIW.

But they do look cool. IMHO

 

[john-e89]

Let's be honest the E89 can do with all the help it can get...as with my M roady I have one one on the 35i and 35is i'm on the side that they do add a touch of stiffness, it's very slight but it's there, not just a placebo.

 

[True-Blue]

I was searching for something completely different on FB market place and it popped up, so I thought why not?

I like the look of them, and it’s polished so it’s a bit of bling.

It might be a little while before I can report objectively, but will do so when I can

 

[True-Blue]

The Bimmerworld guys came to the conclusion on the earlier E85 chassis it made a measurable difference, they used strain gauges and could see the strut towers flexing with the cornering loads etc..

The view on the E89 was that they had stiffened the chassis to the point that additional strut braces were superfluous.

The E89s strut towers are already externally braced.

I fitted one to my 35is and I’ve tried it now on and off and can’t detect any difference. FWIW.

But they do look cool. IMHO

Have you left it fitted for the look then Peter?

 

[B21]

The Bimmerworld guys came to the conclusion on the earlier E85 chassis it made a measurable difference, they used strain gauges and could see the strut towers flexing with the cornering loads etc..

The view on the E89 was that they had stiffened the chassis to the point that additional strut braces were superfluous.

The E89s strut towers are already externally braced.

I fitted one to my 35is and I’ve tried it now on and off and can’t detect any difference. FWIW.

But they do look cool. IMHO

Have you left it fitted for the look then Peter?

Yes I took it off when I fitted the uprated coil kit and then left it off for a few weeks.

I’ve put it back on, but will get it sprayed gloss or satin black this winter.

Since I paid for it I might as well keep it there.

There is a slight pain as it obstructs access to cam cover and air filter but generally you are not accessing that area very often.

I know John has a different view but from my viewpoint I couldn’t detect any effects from fitting it within my driving capabilities and roads I operate on, whereas almost everything else I’ve twiddled has had some minor or major effect.

Here’s a write up on the E46 which has a weaker chassis AFAIK compared to an E89 chassis.

The E89 has considerable external bracing both underneath the engine and rear diff plus strut towers all carried over onto the G29.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/About-Us/is-a-strut-brace-worth-it/

IMHO there are many things you could do to improve the handling well ahead of the strut brace.

 

[Cakesbaby]

Have a Weicher aluminium strut brace on my 3.0 - I would say its more for looks than anything else but I did feel a small improvement in handling after fitting. As some say to them it made no difference where other would swear by them. Unless you are pushing hard they could be right. IMHO the car feels more sure footed so worth the money.

 

[JamesClements]

Small improvement to front end turn in on my E85 I have a wiechers one - would be more noticeable on track I would think