I call dibs!

[Hermes]

I think we should have a thread for those hard to find parts that might pop up every once in a while, not really sure how this is gonna work but whatever... I'm going first:

I call dibs on the first BMW Performance CF Strut Brace (51710429378) that gets posted!
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/image/intake/Genuine_BMW_Performance_Intake_Kit_E46_330i_137204 29613.jpg

[Gheybe]

There is one on E46.

[Hermes]

REALLY? i rarely go there

EDIT: is this the one you're talking about? http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=870276&highlight=strut that was posted at like 9 pm and sold by 10 am the next day

[Gheybe]

REALLY? i rarely go there

EDIT: is this the one you're talking about? http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=870276&highlight=strut that was posted at like 9 pm and sold by 10 am the next day
:rofl

I saw a couple more I think.

[webster]

love the look, but isn't a straight bar better? someone tell it like it is.

[HokieZHP]

I feel like a solid 1-piece bar that's straight that mounts to all 3 points on each hat would be the best design. The only straight bar i've seen only mounts to 2 of the points.

[Hermes]

love the look, but isn't a straight bar better? someone tell it like it is.

strut brace's give very little improvement to a modern car - at this point it's just for the look, go get better sway bars for real suspension improvement

[Rustyh]

strut brace's give very little improvement to a modern car - at this point it's just for the look, go get better sway bars for real suspension improvement

And from the way I understand it, they provide even less benefit with the sedan than the coupe.

I bought one when I had the ///M Roadster, but the truth is I felt very little difference even when pushing the car thru twisties. Even with the roadster folks, the majority seemed to opinion it offered them less than they'd hoped for, but being the imaginative group they were, they justified the purchase by leaving the hood up whenever possible just for the bling effect. :)

Rusty

[kayger12]

I bought mine for eye candy and extra protection against strut tower mushrooming.

Every time I open my hood, I smile.
:keith

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[danewilson77]

Yup. Mainly aesthetics.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Funny/beatdeadhorse5.gif

[M3TA5IN]

Thats the only reason I want a BMW Performance brace, its the shexy! Same with the PE intake, soooo shexy. I could get the euro box though and it is the same thing, but not so shexy!

[johnrando]

I bought mine for eye candy and extra protection against strut tower mushrooming.

Every time I open my hood, I smile.
:keith

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

+1. Plus, it probably helps us VERTs out w/our cowl shake, but I don't have the scientific #'s to back that up.

[Hermes]

if i dont find one for a decent price i'm just gonna do the M3 brace, all i've found is $1000 or more and the $500 ones are gone right away

[danewilson77]

Hermes, what do you think of the black cf strut bar from ecs? Just as an option.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[mimalmo]

if i dont find one for a decent price i'm just gonna do the M3 brace, all i've found is $1000 or more and the $500 ones are gone right away

I've got the OEM M3 brace. It fits our cars perfectly and there are usually a few for sale at cheap prices.

[Hermes]

Hermes, what do you think of the black cf strut bar from ecs? Just as an option.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

Looks good but I'm kinda going for all OEM


I've got the OEM M3 brace. It fits our cars perfectly and there are usually a few for sale at cheap prices.

Good to know, thank you

[danewilson77]

Looks good but I'm kinda going for all OEM

Good. I wouldn't want to think I was the only purist on the site. Pfffft.

[Gheybe]

LA Prince has one.


:eeps

[Hermes]

Good. I wouldn't want to think I was the only purist on the site. Pfffft.

well mostly... clear bumper reflectors and bimmian shifter boots but the real parts are still BMW




LA Prince has one.

:eeps

hahahahahahhahaha..... yeah, enough with that

[swiftytoenails]

I think this is an older BMW Performance brace that was on a ZHP sedan I was considering buying...
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/alescobar/Cars/DSC01311.jpg

[Hermes]

Maybe? I think ive given up on this search

[mikeyb74]

I think this is an older BMW Performance brace that was on a ZHP sedan I was considering buying...
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/alescobar/Cars/DSC01311.jpg

Thats the OE strut bar I have and I paid $100 for it. It fits all e46s and some Z4s.

[HokieZHP]

do you have a link to it?

[jayjay_dee]

looks like its from a Z4

[bullfrogs_M3]

There is one up for sale on E46Fanatics:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=874621

[webster]

the OEM CF bars are pretty but really how can anyone justify $500+ on a purely cosmetic mod?

i'd rather opt for the black or silver CF bar that ECS makes themselves. $169.95 w/ free shipping.

[johnrando]

the OEM CF bars are pretty but really how can anyone justify $500+ on a purely cosmetic mod?

i'd rather opt for the black or silver CF bar that ECS makes themselves. $169.95 w/ free shipping.

They were actually $1000 list price, until BMW et al decided to have a blowout sale. Plus, they to help prevent mushrooming and probably add some rigidity, but not likely much. I kinda imagine it would be more beneficial on a VERT to help reduce cowl shake. So, they do have some benefits, but yes, more cosmetic.

So, you could look at it two ways. At $1000 MSRP, $600 is a good price. OR, since they were blowing them out at $300, $600 is a rip off. Supply and demand, you can't find 'em, so if you want it, jump on it.

[webster]

yeah, sometimes if you want something you just go for it. i understand, i'm pretty impulsive myself.

i'm more inclined to think the rear rotors for sale in that thread are a better deal though...hehe

[johnrando]

yeah, sometimes if you want something you just go for it. i understand, i'm pretty impulsive myself.

i'm more inclined to think the rear rotors for sale in that thread are a better deal though...hehe

Agree the rotors are better priced, but I saw the blowout sale price so they still are making out pretty well on that even. As far as the brace, it would be tough for me to pay that price, as I got mine cheaper. But I really like the engine eye candy it provides. I understand it would be a tough call. It's not a "good deal", but it's not bad considering they just aren't available very often. Maybe he'd drop the price. Or, certainly nothing wrong with getting a different type of strut bar at a better price.