CHRIS555 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I am thinking of fitting a good quality strut brace to my 330 both for looks and handling. Has anyone done this on an e46 or have any advice or suggestions? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I did it recently. Bought a genuine BMW one. Looks the part, when the bonnets open. :-) Can't tell the difference in the driving experience tho. Cannockwolf and CHRIS555 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 It looks cool but doesn't really do much unless you plan on racing it TOOM, RickyZ, Trevor and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Mit, nail on head I should have saved my money. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJames Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 My m3 has one from the factory and feels no different from my old 330ci really. So personally I'd spend the money elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Fit one then have a perspex bonnet fitted. That way it's always on show Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiftypl Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Depends on your driving style if you are hard cornering then yes but if you are not no different at all. You could go for eibach anti roll bar kit there u will see difference. Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk Rebel, CHRIS555 and momo 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 No real noticeable difference tbh. but in an accident.it can make a huge difference.Had one on my old e36 when I binned it at the ring.. at that point it was the best mod I had ever done.Kept the front end nice and square.For handling. new shocks springs bushes and arbs is where the money should go CHRIS555 and Rebel 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Agree with Fifty and Marcus. I have had them on past cars and the only one that made a difference was on my Golf VR6, which out of the factory handled like a cruise liner on a country lane. Every suspension upgrade / mod on that car made a difference, it really was that bad. On the e46 I don't think there is much if anything to be gained. But if it's cheap, fits and looks the part... CHRIS555 and Fiftypl 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannockwolf Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 I got mine from a breaker, purely for looks I am interested in the anti-roll bars though, will it add to the harshness of the ride? CHRIS555 and Rebel 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiftypl Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Yes it will at list it does in my setup I got both strut brace front and rear, blistein b8 shock absorbers and eibach pro line springs and anti roll bar front and rear. So it's pretty stiff for road use but handle like dream :-) Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk CHRIS555 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS555 Posted October 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 I changed the rear ARB on my Audi Quattro Convertible for an RS4 one (direct swap) and it made a massive difference - cornering was more sharper and predictive and gave you the confidence to carry more speed into the corner and accelerate harder mid corner. I plan on doing the front and rear struts along with an Eibach arb kit - i want her as tight as possible! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannockwolf Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 ive read putting a m3 vert front arb with the m-sport rear arb is a good setup, and cheap, what do you think? (sorry for the hijack) CHRIS555 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS555 Posted October 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 ive read putting a m3 vert front arb with the m-sport rear arb is a good setup, and cheap, what do you think? (sorry for the hijack) Interesting! I want to know more, anyone?! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannockwolf Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 I know the front M3 Vert ARB (27mm) works well i did a search on here and plenty have done it, plus they can be bought for £50 on ebay, is it worth swapping the rear for the vert bar also? i believe you have to get a NON M bar though Marcus and CHRIS555 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr T Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 a stiff anti roll bar shouldn't ruin ride quality too much. If anything its the best way to get a sporty set up that's not too harsh for the road, stiff anti roll bar means flat cornering and allows shocks and springs to be softer to give a bit of comfort. I think its one of the most common misguided ideas people have when they modify a car, they want flat cornering for a sporty/direct feel,and so buy coilovers or shocks and springs but in fact stiff anti roll bars would address their needs more accurately. Rebel and CHRIS555 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 ARB shouldn't ruin the ride quality at all as that's a combination of the springs and dampers. The ARB should flatten the car out during hard cornering and stop it leaning so much. But yes i've also heard the M3 'vert ARB is a worthwhile upgrade. For the price i'd do it. The question is though where do you go if you already have an M3 'vert? mit, Cannockwolf, Rebel and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 he question is though where do you go if you already have an M3 'vert? You go to a nice quiet country lane and enjoy the drive Chimp Choker, RickyZ and CHRIS555 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr T Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 he question is though where do you go if you already have an M3 'vert? You go to a nice quiet country lane and enjoy the drive or buy something with a roof if you really care that much about chassis flex Rebel, momo, mit and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 *cough* http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/49592-fsessex-bmw-e46-m3-strut-brace-l100-collected/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...