E36 325i strut braces

[oscar90 0]

Hi, im looking at this and wondering if it will fit a 320i, even though it says 325i,

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=177724391

cheers!

[3series 0]

my mates got a front one he bought for his race car - but has since changed his mind if your interested. Could get photos if need be. Still in box etc etc.

Edited September 21, 2008 by bmw3

[oscar90 0]

Hi, thanks for the offer!, but ive just brought the front one

cheers

[Mark 178]

Don't mean to burst your bubble, but if a strut brace has a hinge where it joins to the strut towers, then it's rubbish, because it's not actually "bracing the struts" as it will simply bend at the hinge under stress.

My 2c.

[Mike 1]

I'm not so sure on that theory. That bar is designed to link the two towers together so the load is shared. It tends to be in tension so a hinge is not going to create such an issue, as it will still pull the other tower with it.

[oscar90 0]

bubble wasnt very big anyway ...only being nosey at this stage

[sp8s 1]

$80 pretty cheap

[oscar90 0]

$80 pretty cheap

yep...might get one, and see how it all goes

[ecko_complex 4]

Strut braces do make a difference, but you need to be near the limit.

[Yuen 16]

I see some reputable strut bar manufacturers make a different bar for the 318 vs the ones with 6 cylinders. Probably because of different engine clearance? So they're either not compatible, or the 318 bar might fit 320/323/325/328, but not the other way round.

[kerrynzl 3]

Don't wanna burst anyones bubble here.

even a $20.00 strut brace is a winner in the "Wank Factor" dept.

As for performance and handling, most MacPherson strut upper mounts have a bearing mounted into rubber [ for allignment ]

This upper mount will flex long before the chassis does [ unless the spot-welding was a friday afternoon assembly at the factory ]

You need spherical bearing upper mounts and rose jointed lowers before the strut brace does any good.[ and very stiff springs ]

Mind you the "laws of justification" sometimes exceed the "laws of physics", The thing may handle better because it is Anodized and cost $80-00 [ placebo effect ]

[Gus 5]

good points above, however on my e30 I definatly noticed a positive difference - especially stability under braking. that was with a hinged bar, a decent brand though

[kerrynzl 3]

good points above, however on my e30 I definatly noticed a positive difference - especially stability under braking. that was with a hinged bar, a decent brand though

Haha! Of course you would notice the difference under braking in a E30!!!

With those ol' E30 boats with the braking rod for the L/H master cylinder, and your heavy right foot.

It's a wonder you didn't collapse the towers when you stood on it.

As the saying goes "I couldn't fix it with a hammer, so it must be an electrical problem"