What should I buy?

Post Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:26 pm

I've got just over a hundred quid in my paypal account, and was after opinion's as to what to spend it on.
I've got the engine running pretty sweet now, ITG filter is on the way, chip installed, genuine alpina's are being refurbed, it's a bit of a halfway sum of money and need to spend it on something I can do myself. I thought about bearing's or bushes, but don't have the tools.
What about brake discs/caliper's or strut bar's.

She is a 2.5L cab
thank's

Post Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:31 pm

give it to me

i have lots to spend it on

Post Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:41 pm

I was gonna put serious reply's only, but you did make giggle for that reason mate.

Post Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:46 pm

A strut bar would be a good addition to a convertible... would help to strengthen the already weak / shakey shell.

Post Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:13 pm

That's interesting Geeman, I was led to believe the cabby's already had "built in" strut bar's. Which is the best option, front or rear?

cheers.

Post Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:41 pm

Geeman I'm suprised at you - as has been well documented on here, the cab shell has loads of extra strengthening, and a strut brace is a waste of money.... in our humble opinions of course

Post Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:55 am

Geeman I'm suprised at you - as has been well documented on here, the cab shell has loads of extra strengthening, and a strut brace is a waste of money.... in our humble opinions of course

My convertible was never the most confidence insipring of cars over bumps and round corners, and that was with uprated suspension, poly bushes, etc. I thought 'in my humble opinion' that a front strut brace would help matters. I know they have extra strengthening on the strut tops anyway, but that's to the outer edge of the engine bay. Surely a strut connecting both front turrets can only help matters...?

You can't have a rear strut-brace though, as the rear top mounts are mounted in the roof compartment, so already have strengthening between the two.

I do stand corrected though, and always take on board information from others.

...but having had two convertibles, and six tin-tops, there is a noticable difference in stiffness between the two. Whether or not you think it would be a worthwhile purchase is up to you. There are plenty of convertibles on the Zone that do have front strut braces...

Post Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:55 am

Mr Lee showed a picture of his convertible with the dash out - there is a thicker metal section added-in ACROSS the front of the car behind the dash. Along with the double-skin in the back (behind the seats, you can see it from the boot if you take out the trim) and as you say the front turret extras, and the 325 cab has the thickest ARBs BMW made.

I didn't say the cab was as stiff as a tin-top!!! Of course it isn't - all cabs are compromises. What I said was a strut-brace is a waste of money on a cab, as there is already extra strengthening in effectively that area - a solid roof welded from the windscreen to the rear shell would do the job nicely

Post Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:07 pm

I have a front strut brace in my cab .... There is a bit of difference turning into corners with it ... and it doesn't seem to "twist" as much ...eg taking a speed hump at an angle.
May be my imagination ....

G