BMW 330 ZHP Why I've never purchased a BMW Performance Strut Bar

[danewilson77]

From the other thread, I may have come off as bashing this particular strut bar. Let me be the first (probably more like the 100th) to tell you that nothing rivals the BMW performance strut bar when it comes to aesthetics under the hood.

Back when this forum first started, Keith (Kayger12) and I came up with a devious plan. He would leave his car stock and only install OEM performance type candy on it. I on the other hand would install after market performance type candy. We felt that this would give our members a more rounded knowledge base when starting the Family up.

Only to solidify my statement above and since the inception, I have had installed:

-ECSTuning CF Front Strut Bar
-Cusco Front Strut Bar
-UUC Barbarian Front Strut Bar (Current)
-Next is Mason Engineering Front Strut Bar

-The cars has never had 135's
-BMW Bottle caps
-Enkei EKM3's
-BBS CK (Current)
-Next will be DPE or ARE

-Stock intake
-AFE Pro 5R (Wet and Dry)
-Gruppe ///M (Current)

-Stock suspension
-FK Coilovers
-KW V1 Coilovers (Current)
-Next is either TCKline, or BC Racing

- Racing Dynamics Rear Strut Bar (Current)
-Next is Mason Engineering Rear Strut Bar

-Stock brake setup
-Stoptech setup from Ray (non-BBK)
-BMW Performance rotors with Akebono ceramics (Current)

-Black cube interior trim
-Graffiti interior trim
-Silver cube interior trim (Current)

-Gominigo NHLPB
-Euro Plate
-US Mill Works NHLPB
I believe the above proves the plan. Please feel free to ask me any questions about the aforementioned items, should you think you might want to install.

And remember, the BMW Performance Strut Bar IS the Holy Grail of strut bar's if your willing to pay $$$.

[cakM3]

Everything you have done to your ZHP has been top-notch Dane and your car shows it! :thumbsup

Me? Well you know.... I have this weakness for all things carbon fiber...;)

[bullfrogs_M3]

Interesting and cool list of mods Dane. I personally never understood the appeal of the BMW performance bar but then again I have always run the Strong Strut bar since day one.

Question though, is rear strut tower deflection really an issue for us that would require or necessitate a rear strut bar? I mean, if we run upgraded sway bars and upgraded coils/suspension, I don't see this being an issue.

[danewilson77]

I don't see it as a huge issue, but I will tell you, I notice a difference in rear end rigidity with that strut bar installed.

Haven't seen the Strong in a while Jeremiah. You have a pic with it installed on your car?

[bullfrogs_M3]

I don't see it as a huge issue, but I will tell you, I notice a difference in rear end rigidity with that strut bar installed.

Haven't seen the Strong in a while Jeremiah. You have a pic with it installed on your car?

Interesting about the rear. I just wish there was a bar that went up and over as to not loose space in the trunk.

I can take a pic of the engine bay for you a few weeks after we...ummm get some engine work done on it..... :shifty

[danewilson77]

LOL.....I hate you.

[Vas]

Dane,

Does your zhp have fold down rear seats?

[danewilson77]

Dane,

Does your zhp have fold down rear seats?

Yes.

[Vas]

Yes.

That would make sense to why you felt a change. Cars with fixed rear seats are more rigid so a rear strut bar would not benefit them as much. Good for attaching things to it in the trunk

[johnrando]

Good info Dane.

[sillieidiot]

i don't consider the bmw performance strut bar as the holy grail of strut bars. maybe just for cf bars. but i think the dixis titanium strut bar looks way better.

[johnrando]

To each his/her own. That bar is way too busy for me. I like the simple elegance of the OEM bar.

[az3579]

So, Dane... in essence, you are testing out all of these aftermarket options for us. You are our guinea pig? :biggrin

Kudos brotha.

[NorCalZman]

To each his/her own. That bar is way too busy for me. I like the simple elegance of the OEM bar.

If you mean the M3 style bar thats the one I put on as well. the CF bar looks nice but I spent enough on the performance intake. Have to restrain myself somewhere. Haha

[WOLFN8TR]

I bought mine because John! Dam that thing was sooo sweet seeing it in person, had to have one after that. The wife thinks it was $300 from Charlie the CF Fairy thou. Right Charlie :cheers

[danewilson77]

So, Dane... in essence, you are testing out all of these aftermarket options for us. You are our guinea pig? :biggrin

Kudos brotha.

Yes.


If you mean the M3 style bar thats the one I put on as well. the CF bar looks nice but I spent enough on the performance intake. Have to restrain myself somewhere. Haha

This will also be proven eventually.

[cakM3]

i don't consider the bmw performance strut bar as the holy grail of strut bars. maybe just for cf bars. but i think the dixis titanium strut bar looks way better.

for reference are you talking about this strut bar Hieu?
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/Library2/eurp_0803_03_z2002_bmw_m3active_autowerke_level_2_ supercharger_kelleners_carbon_air_inletengine_view _zps8a51916e.jpg


To each his/her own. That bar is way too busy for me. I like the simple elegance of the OEM bar.

I'm inclined to agree with Rando here...

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/M3/_DSC5474_zps4c321d82.jpg


If you mean the M3 style bar thats the one I put on as well. the CF bar looks nice but I spent enough on the performance intake. Have to restrain myself somewhere. Haha

Rando was responding to Hieu's comment above...


I bought mine because John! Dam that thing was sooo sweet seeing it in person, had to have one after that. The wife thinks it was $300 from Charlie the CF Fairy thou. Right Charlie :cheers

Anything you say Gary! ;) :thumbsup That's why I have three of them...;)

[WOLFN8TR]

Anything you say Gary! ;) :thumbsup

It's a funny story.

[Avetiso]

I love your car, Dane.

[WOLFN8TR]

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/M3/_DSC5474_zps4c321d82.jpg

{ NO WORDS NEEDED }

[cakM3]

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/M3/_DSC5482_zpsfd63ad19.jpg


This

[WOLFN8TR]

:coolpic

[johnrando]

LOL all. Again I say to each his own... I didn't mean to turn it into a debate about which is better.

[Johnmadd]

I love your car, Dane.

+1 Dane made me buy my zhp

[cakM3]

John, I'm sure there are other strut bars like the the Dixis Titanium strut bar Hieu mentioned that are much more suited for track use. As much as I love my BMW Performance carbon fiber strut bar, I don't think it would be as good as the other strut bars that are out there for track use... However, with that said.... yes, it does come down to preference but you can't deny the carbon fiber sexiness that the Performance strut bar brings to the engine compartment :thumbsup

[derbo]

Mason Engineering ftw. I want both rear and front bars alone with the trunk brace..

[mbeckel]

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/M3/_DSC5482_zpsfd63ad19.jpg


This
Someone is a sucker for carbon fiber....

[cakM3]

Someone is a sucker for carbon fiber....

Yep! :p

[sillieidiot]

for reference are you talking about this strut bar Hieu?
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/Library2/eurp_0803_03_z2002_bmw_m3active_autowerke_level_2_ supercharger_kelleners_carbon_air_inletengine_view _zps8a51916e.jpg



I'm inclined to agree with Rando here...

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/M3/_DSC5474_zps4c321d82.jpg



Rando was responding to Hieu's comment above...



Anything you say Gary! ;) :thumbsup That's why I have three of them...;)

yeah. i'm saying that the dixis bar would be considered the holy grail of all strut bars for the e46 (being extremely rare would add to that). i do think the cf performance one looks good, until it yellows, which it will since i've already seen a few that yellowed. but my favorite of all the strut bars is the mason one, in which I have on my own car.

also with the way that the performance bar is designed, you can't use certain aftermarket suspension systems with it. a few of the coilovers that adjust on the top, the bar is in the way, limiting camber adjustment. Those that have the knobs on them, don't even clear the bar.

[danewilson77]

Did not know of the yellowing issue or the camber plate clearance issue. Great points.

The friendliest forum on the planet!

[cakM3]

Did not know of the yellowing issue or the camber plate clearance issue. Great points.

The friendliest forum on the planet!

Dane, if you look you can see what Hieu is talking about.... the two screws closest to the bar can't be adjusted unless you take the bar off.

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/ZHP/DSC_0015_zps0d3f34ba.jpg

This doesn't bother me too much.... I can easily take the bar off and then reinstall it again...:) The knob however is fully functional on both my BMWs using BC Racing coilovers :)

[sillieidiot]

yeah i think it depends on what camber plates/suspension you use. ASTs w/vorshlag camber plates doesn't clear at all because of that metal part that connects to the CF. You can't even put the bar on.

[derbo]

I couldn't adjust my front dampening without removing the bar so I opt to replace it with a stock M3 bar for now. It drove me crazy so I ultimately sold the bar.

[Hermes]

I couldn't adjust my front dampening without removing the bar so I opt to replace it with a stock M3 bar for now. It drove me crazy so I ultimately sold the bar.

I'll take mine off when I get around to coilovers and replace it with a Mason race brace, but I will prob keep it for shows

[derbo]

I'll take mine off when I get around to coilovers and replace it with a Mason race brace, but I will prob keep it for shows

You fancy JP. Lol

[Hornung418]

Turner motorsport bar for $400.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-303-turner-front-carbon-fiber-strut-brace-e46-323325328330m3.aspx

Im looking for the OEM BMW M3 CF bar that they used on the GTR. Fucking thing costs around $10k. Used!

Sent from my GS3.

[cakM3]

Turner motorsport bar for $400.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-303-turner-front-carbon-fiber-strut-brace-e46-323325328330m3.aspx

Im looking for the OEM BMW M3 CF bar that they used on the GTR. Fucking thing costs around $10k. Used!

Sent from my GS3.

Never seen one of those Justin. I have to say the Turner cf strut bar looks good! :thumbsup Even the price is reasonable!

[Hornung418]

There's a guy in MD with a full CSL build. Next time I see it I will see if I can snag the part no. and a pic.

Sent from my GS3.

[cakM3]

There's a guy in MD with a full CSL build. Next time I see it I will see if I can snag the part no. and a pic.

Sent from my GS3.

Sounds good Justin, looking forward to seeing a pic :thumbsup

[danewilson77]

Oh yeah, I forgot:

-Gominigo NHLPB
-Euro Plate
-US Mill Works NHLPB

[pilotnick1203]

Plus one for BMW perf. http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/08/26/4bc9c82b75f754b82297d4bae11c2dac.jpg


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