Your thoughts on strut braces

[shimsheemer]

I have recently put an Eibach and Bilstein B6 setup on my car and hope to fit a set of Eibach anti roll bars. I'd then like to fit a front upper strut brace.

I would love to hear your thoughts, tips and ideas both on the pros and cons of a brace and on which are the best to buy.

Thanks in advance!

[e30mtec]

i would even if it doesnt affect the handling..they look nice...they usually are pretty effective with most strut setups and do give a better feel in the steering and suspension setup..just make sure you get one thats adjustable not a solid one like the old style..ive snapped a solid one cornering hard..theyre quite hard to get nowadays though..a lot of companys dont make them

[Dave_M3]

Strut brace is essential in my book on any E30 thats driven hard or thats lowered.

RPM do a good brace.

No need for an adjustable one, A decent solid brace is fine.

[tezk]

I got one off ebay a few years ago for £30.. Didn't really notice anything handling wise but it certainly adds something to the already brimming engine bay when you open the bonnet

[Brianmoooore]

Why would you want an adjustable one?

[mrLEE30]

C'mon Brian, so it can flex under load

[corkie]

essential on a cab only imo

[Rav335uk]

Definitly worth it on the Cab, and for the record, mine is adjustable

[town325i]

Definitly worth it on the Cab, and for the record, mine is adjustable

I find the adjustable ones are a waste of time as they will move around when being used properly and really thats the last thing you want on a cab

[Rav335uk]

Definitly worth it on the Cab, and for the record, mine is adjustable

I find the adjustable ones are a waste of time as they will move around when being used properly and really thats the last thing you want on a cab

And "How" would you use a cab properly??,
it's ok for road use, but wouldn't recommend taking a cab on track.

[town325i]

Definitly worth it on the Cab, and for the record, mine is adjustable

I find the adjustable ones are a waste of time as they will move around when being used properly and really thats the last thing you want on a cab

And "How" would you use a cab properly??,
it's ok for road use, but wouldn't recommend taking a cab on track.

Maybe not but you do sprinted driving in your cab dont you on the road this is where you will notice the difference i have one of the solid ones on the garden ornament.

[Rav335uk]

Yes, the occassional "Sprited" driving has been carried out.
I did notice a lot off difference though when I put it on first time, now it's just the norm.

"Garden Ornament"

[Cotty]

I have a twin tube strut brace. It was put on at the same time as the rest of the suspension and ARB's.

[Brianmoooore]

If a non adjustable one , made to the correct dimensions won't fit, then your car is bent! Jack the towers apart or pull them together until it fits.

[Dave_M3]

Yep, another reason why id prefer a solid brace. Over time when the brace is on the car will tnd to straighten too over time if it was out when first fitting it Friend of mine put one on his cab and said it made a huge difference. Definitely needs one bow though after I pi the M52 into it for him so spirited drives might become more frequent

[polsta]

what would the £25 ones on ebay, and then the £65 ones on ebay,difference be ? would a £25 one be ok for a 318is ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E30-FRONT-UPP ... 5d2b1c637b

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E30-FRONT-UPP ... 5d2b1c637b



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E30-FRONT-UPP ... 5d2b1c637b

[capri_rob]

Personally I don't like em. If I went to view a car that had a strut brace fitted it would say to me that car has been driven hard and put me off buying it - same as most aftermarket "performance" accessories.

Fit one if you like but don't leave it on when you want to sell

[Andyboy]

The only ones worth having are the solid ones such as the Sparco and Ultra Racing ones. A strut brace with pivots at the ends is a waste of time. Rear ones don't do anything as they only bolt to the rear shock top mounts and have no effect of any part of the car that the rear suspension bolts to.

[Blitz]

RPM do a solid one. No bling.


http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=145405

[Dave_M3]

Personally I don't like em. If I went to view a car that had a strut brace fitted it would say to me that car has been driven hard and put me off buying it - same as most aftermarket "performance" accessories.

Fit one if you like but don't leave it on when you want to sell

I've heard of a car with struts coming away from the body with a few weeks after the brace being removed. Brace was basically holding one of the struts from collapsing as it was gone alittle rusty.

I'd prefer to buy a car with one than without one as it means it's one less thing I need to buy or at least I know the struts are already pretty straight.

[shimsheemer]

Awesome, loads of responses, thanks. I think I might invest in an RPM one along with a sump guard...