bmw performance strut brace

jksgoh · 07-09-2009, 01:10 AM

hey guys,
just let you fellow 125/128ers know that i just installed the bmw performance strut brace.
i know its not the best bang for your buck, but i wanted to add a little bit of bling under the hood.
pics are in this thread http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=280299

Alow · 07-09-2009, 08:52 AM

thanks for the post here. I never would've found it otherwise.

really wish it wasn't so expensive. It would match my air intake nicely. Come to think of it, why would it be so much more expensive? the air intake has way more carbon fiber.

backtoreality15 · 07-09-2009, 11:54 AM

Any words on how the handling/cornering has changed? I've been thinking about getting the non-CF one.

jksgoh · 07-09-2009, 07:05 PM

alow, im not really sure why it is so much more expensive than the air intake, possibly because it has to be structurally sound???
backtoreality, i've only taken it for one quick spin so far and it feels like it has reduced the understeer a bit... but then again it may just be all in my head lol
to tell you the truth i wasn't expecting it to transform the car handling wise...
having said that, when i put a strut brace on my mini it made a heaps load of difference.

jksgoh · 07-09-2009, 07:06 PM

alow, where did you get your air intake, and do you think it makes a difference to how the car responds and has the sound changed??

bmwsam · 07-09-2009, 07:09 PM

I love the CF one but I just can't justify the expense right now so I plan on getting the aluminum one which looks good too.

jksgoh · 07-09-2009, 07:46 PM

bmwsam, i admit that the cf one is very expensive, but a guy was selling one second hand at a discount and i couldnt resist!

bmwsam · 07-09-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jksgoh

bmwsam, i admit that the cf one is very expensive, but a guy was selling one second hand at a discount and i couldnt resist!

Great find!

Alow · 07-10-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jksgoh

alow, where did you get your air intake, and do you think it makes a difference to how the car responds and has the sound changed??

It was installed pre-delivery at the performance center in South Carolina. Hard to say how it changed the car/sound because the exhaust was also installed at the same time. So I can only compare a loaner car I drove once with no mods to mine with intake + exhaust.

I like the intake + exhaust a lot. Both sound and rate of acceleration are definitely improved. I don't have 1/4 mile times or anything so far its only been my butt dyno

S54dan · 07-15-2009, 10:23 AM

The strut brace, whether aluminum or carbon gives a greater feel in performance as far as the suspension is concerned. I added one to my car (granted, it's not a 1) but it improved the handling, and also stiffened up the car.

Cuz5150 · 07-15-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan@UnitedBMW

The strut brace, whether aluminum or carbon gives a greater feel in performance as far as the suspension is concerned. I added one to my car (granted, it's not a 1) but it improved the handling, and also stiffened up the car.

Hey Dan, whats this CF strut bar going for these days from your place??Thanks

S54dan · 07-16-2009, 09:45 AM

It currently has an ouch-factor of $1,250.00.

jksgoh · 07-17-2009, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan@UnitedBMW

It currently has an ouch-factor of $1,250.00.

with a matching bling factor

supraking · 07-17-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jksgoh

with a matching bling factor

People still care about bling these days? I thought showing how much money you had to waste on pretty accessories was SO 2007...

backtoreality15 · 07-17-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan@UnitedBMW

It currently has an ouch-factor of $1,250.00.

Jeez. I rather get Breytons for bling (and performance

). But to each his own.

jksgoh · 07-17-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backtoreality15

Jeez. I rather get Breytons for bling (and performance

). But to each his own.

hahaha, fair enough. but i personally haven't seen wheels which suit the 1er more than the 261's currently on my car.... plus im a sucker for cf

808@702 · 02-21-2010, 06:16 PM

How is this, I have installed performance intake and exhaust, so when I ordered the performance steering wheel my advisor says that the CF strut brace on display in the showroom is available, at bmw cost. I grabbed it, and they even threw in free labor. Looks great. It pays to be nice to people!

jksgoh · 02-21-2010, 09:28 PM

thats awesome, mate! good to hear there are some good people out there.
out of curiosity, how much was "bmw cost" for the brace??

Alow · 02-22-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jksgoh

out of curiosity, how much was "bmw cost" for the brace??

+1

S54dan · 02-22-2010, 10:03 PM

"Cost" USED to be $955.00... now it's lower and it's reflected in forum sponsor's pricing

RaceTime · 02-23-2010, 04:14 PM

Just a little FYI, I believe that the CF is a savings of less than a pound... Plus, if you want a functional brace I would recomment the Alum brace. That is what I use. It fits really good and I think looks tougher than the CF brace...but then my 1er is more go than show...

SP 7757 · 04-08-2010, 10:47 PM

What torque should it be tightened to?

Thanks!!!

07-09-2009, 01:10 AM	#1
jksgoh Major 141 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melb, Vic, Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 125i [0.00]	bmw performance strut brace hey guys, just let you fellow 125/128ers know that i just installed the bmw performance strut brace. i know its not the best bang for your buck, but i wanted to add a little bit of bling under the hood. pics are in this thread http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=280299
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07-09-2009, 08:52 AM	#2
Alow Lieutenant 38 Rep 456 Posts Drives: E82 128i, F36 430i GC Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas City, MO iTrader: (3)	thanks for the post here. I never would've found it otherwise. really wish it wasn't so expensive. It would match my air intake nicely. Come to think of it, why would it be so much more expensive? the air intake has way more carbon fiber.
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07-09-2009, 11:54 AM	#3
backtoreality15 Captain 81 Rep 752 Posts Drives: 2019 330i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Any words on how the handling/cornering has changed? I've been thinking about getting the non-CF one. __________________ 2019 M-Sport 330i \| G20
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07-09-2009, 07:05 PM	#4
jksgoh Major 141 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melb, Vic, Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 125i [0.00]	alow, im not really sure why it is so much more expensive than the air intake, possibly because it has to be structurally sound??? backtoreality, i've only taken it for one quick spin so far and it feels like it has reduced the understeer a bit... but then again it may just be all in my head lol to tell you the truth i wasn't expecting it to transform the car handling wise... having said that, when i put a strut brace on my mini it made a heaps load of difference.
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07-09-2009, 07:06 PM	#5
jksgoh Major 141 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melb, Vic, Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 125i [0.00]	alow, where did you get your air intake, and do you think it makes a difference to how the car responds and has the sound changed??
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07-09-2009, 07:09 PM	#6
bmwsam First Lieutenant 10 Rep 358 Posts Drives: 135i M-Sport Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 135i [0.00]	I love the CF one but I just can't justify the expense right now so I plan on getting the aluminum one which looks good too.
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07-09-2009, 07:46 PM	#7
jksgoh Major 141 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melb, Vic, Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 125i [0.00]	bmwsam, i admit that the cf one is very expensive, but a guy was selling one second hand at a discount and i couldnt resist!
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07-15-2009, 10:23 AM	#10
S54dan I no longer work for United BMW! 307 Rep 3,330 Posts Drives: E46 M3, E46 330i ZHP, E36 325i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (36) Garage List 1994 BMW 325i [8.50] 2005 M3 [9.66] 2005 325i [8.00] 2003 330i ZHP [9.00]	The strut brace, whether aluminum or carbon gives a greater feel in performance as far as the suspension is concerned. I added one to my car (granted, it's not a 1) but it improved the handling, and also stiffened up the car. __________________ BMW CCA, PCA, & CHIN Motorsports Instructor.
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07-16-2009, 09:45 AM	#12
S54dan I no longer work for United BMW! 307 Rep 3,330 Posts Drives: E46 M3, E46 330i ZHP, E36 325i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (36) Garage List 1994 BMW 325i [8.50] 2005 M3 [9.66] 2005 325i [8.00] 2003 330i ZHP [9.00]	It currently has an ouch-factor of $1,250.00. __________________ BMW CCA, PCA, & CHIN Motorsports Instructor.
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02-21-2010, 06:16 PM	#17
808@702 8th BMW, 520th Surfboard 494 Rep 1,215 Posts Drives: My girlfriends crazy! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Las Vegas, Nv. and Honolulu, Hi. and Seattle Wa. iTrader: (0)	How is this, I have installed performance intake and exhaust, so when I ordered the performance steering wheel my advisor says that the CF strut brace on display in the showroom is available, at bmw cost. I grabbed it, and they even threw in free labor. Looks great. It pays to be nice to people!
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02-21-2010, 09:28 PM	#18
jksgoh Major 141 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melb, Vic, Aus iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E82 125i [0.00]	thats awesome, mate! good to hear there are some good people out there. out of curiosity, how much was "bmw cost" for the brace??
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02-22-2010, 10:03 PM	#20
S54dan I no longer work for United BMW! 307 Rep 3,330 Posts Drives: E46 M3, E46 330i ZHP, E36 325i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (36) Garage List 1994 BMW 325i [8.50] 2005 M3 [9.66] 2005 325i [8.00] 2003 330i ZHP [9.00]	"Cost" USED to be $955.00... now it's lower and it's reflected in forum sponsor's pricing __________________ BMW CCA, PCA, & CHIN Motorsports Instructor.
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02-23-2010, 04:14 PM	#21
RaceTime Auto X'er 3 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2009 Space Gray 135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Northern Colorado iTrader: (0)	Just a little FYI, I believe that the CF is a savings of less than a pound... Plus, if you want a functional brace I would recomment the Alum brace. That is what I use. It fits really good and I think looks tougher than the CF brace...but then my 1er is more go than show... __________________ 2009 135i SGM, Premium, Sports, Nav. Dinan Stage 2 software, Injen intake, RR Oil Catch Can, H&R Pro-coilovers and springs, H&R front sway bar, Vorshlag camber plates, Vorshlag comp studs, BMW strut brace, BMW performance pedals, G-Force harneses, BMP tow hooks, Breyton GTS-R wheels with 255-35R18 (square set up) and custom axel back exhaust with muffler delete.
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04-08-2010, 10:47 PM	#22
SP 7757 New Member 7 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 125 LMB, 1988 Prelude Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Adelaide iTrader: (0)	What torque should it be tightened to? Thanks!!!
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