[M Fifty]

Originally Posted by akkando

Some people have speculated the CF strut brace is just eye candy.

No speculation is required akkando - it is eye candy.

Some may speculate that it doesn't do much structurally, but they're generally people who don't have one.

Functionally it does replace the two bits of black painted tin though.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by M Fifty

Some may speculate that it doesn't do much structurally, but they're generally people who don't have one.

Functionally it does replace the two bits of black painted tin though.

And those that do have one on their vehicle, act as though it transformed the vehicle's handling into
à la Lambo..

Like it's benefits is so majestic, that even Jesus himself, used this very same carbon fiber brace, to stabilize his donkey cart..

In all seriousness, the M2 already have a strut brace, albeit, a separate three piece setup, so how much reinforcement did this similar piece improve upon, an already stiff chassis.

If there is a delta in handling, then great but color me objectively skeptical.

[M Fifty]

The cf brace - as noted above - replaces the two bits of L-shaped black painted tin that help tie the radiator support to the chassis. They are doubtless fit for purpose at whatever it is they do, as well as being cheap to make and ugly.

Personally, I can see the really big bit of aluminium that bolts to the strut tops, firewall and inner wings having most impact on the way the steering feels, but note that the CF brace also appears on the M235i Racing (and, in some pictures of early cars appears to have been made out of aluminium as well), so probably does do something other than just look nice.

[Nezil]

This, which is used on all non M 2, 3 and 4 series cars:

And these, which are used on all non M 2 series convertibles:

vs these parts, which are M specific and used only on the M2C, M3 and M4:

There can be no doubt that there is an objective difference after fitting these parts... how could there not be.

What can be argued, is how important that difference is, subjectively, to an owner. It doesn't transform the car's handling into a Lambo, but it does, in my humble opinion, make it significantly more comfortable as a daily driver.

If you don't want the bling, and you don't want to spend as much, you get 70% of the benefit by retrofitting the Aluminium brace only, without the CFRP part.

[Nezil]

Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2

Can you link part numbers?

All of the part numbers needed, broken in to sections, with torque settings and if bolts should be replaced, can be found in this post: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=194

The entire thread, found here: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1363860 has details on the entire fitment process and any issues people have found during install etc.

I think you'll find everything you need in that thread and post.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by Nezil

If you don't want the bling, and you don't want to spend as much, you get 70% of the benefit by retrofitting the Aluminium brace only, without the CFRP part.

Alright, I'm now convinced of its benefit. You see, I thought the M2 had a strut bar tie in, in the center, which would made the M2C alloyed unit somewhat redundant.

However, now that you've confirm that there is no center piece, I could now see the distinct advantage of the M2C/M4 carbon fiber/ alloy reinforcement.


WoW, that glaring omission of no top-center brace is BMW cost-cutting, at its finest. :

Thanks for the update, I think I'm going to look into the alloyed frame, just for its practical reinforcement advantage.

I found a great manual, incase anyone wants to delve into a DIY:

https://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=86911

[subliminalaudio]

First week using my newly installed active autowerke sport cat from Mike,

Can't wait to finish the break in period to hear the true sound.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Poochie

Alright, I'm now convinced of its benefit. You see, I thought the M2 had a strut bar tie in, in the center, which would made the M2C alloyed unit somewhat redundant.

However, now that you've confirm that there is no center piece, I could now see the distinct advantage of the M2C/M4 carbon fiber/ alloy reinforcement.


WoW, that glaring omission of no top-center brace is BMW cost-cutting, at its finest. :

Thanks for the update, I think I'm going to look into the alloyed frame, just for its practical reinforcement advantage.

I found a great manual, incase anyone wants to delve into a DIY:

https://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=86911

Seems like an obvious mod I should do, but I'm still unsure if I'll upgrade to an m2c or not. If I keep the car long term it's a no brainer upgrade.

[Nezil]

Originally Posted by akkando

Seems like an obvious mod I should do, but I'm still unsure if I'll upgrade to an m2c or not. If I keep the car long term it's a no brainer upgrade.

If you do decide to do this akkando, I'm thinking of offering the installation as a service to those local to the Bay Area.

I hope I don't get in to trouble for posting this; mods please remove this post if I'm violating rules. I'm not really doing this as a business, I've just been asked by several people at local BMW meet ups if I could do this and other mods, and am considering doing just that. I already have a wholesale account for parts at my local dealer, so I can get parts at roughly the same price as the cheapest online.

PM me if that's of any interest.

[Nezil]

Originally Posted by E36toF87

Caliper Torx bolts (34106864424) are E18

Originally Posted by CTSean

I'll post the torx socket size when they show up and I figure it out if no one beats me to it.

CTSean, did E18 turn out to be correct? E18 is pretty large, and I don't have it in my set of E-Torx currently. I'll go and order that size if I need it, but it seems to me that it's more likely to be E14 or E16, both of which I already have.

Thanks guys!

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by akkando

Seems like an obvious mod I should do, but I'm still unsure if I'll upgrade to an m2c or not. If I keep the car long term it's a no brainer upgrade.

Same here, every time I hear a noise, squeak or anything I don't like on my vehicle, I feel like I need to trade it in but I think I'm going to hold out for the G87, even it ends up looking bland, with a butterface.

The G22 data was released yesterday and there where quite a few reinforcements. So inferring from that, I imagine the G87 will be a significant delta in handling, over the F-Series and might be worth the wait instead.

So, during that interim, I might throw in the inner aluminum brace, minus the carbon fiber.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by Nezil

If you do decide to do this akkando, I'm thinking of offering the installation as a service to those local to the Bay Area.

That's really awesome of you to offer..

I can't even get my own friends to help me on my car, without it costing me something. So I wouldn't mind throwing in a couple of bucks, to get it done correctly.

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by Poochie

during that interim, I might throw in the inner aluminum brace, minus the carbon fiber.

I feel like it would be a whole lot easier to just get an aftermarket strut brace that goes over the engine cover. Would bolt right up and require a lot less modification to the engine bay.

Carbon:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...-carbon-fiber/

Aluminum:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...race-aluminum/

Steel:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...r-brace-steel/

[m2rs4_official]

Apart from ricing the hell out of my car with the Matte Iris Purple Gem vinyl, I've done the following things to the vehicle in the last 48 hours after the nuptials :

• KW Coilover V3 Install & Camber Adjustment
• Turbo Smart Dual Port BOV Install
• Tire Replacement: Bridgestone RE71-R
• Short Shifter Kit installed

Second vinyl change in 5 months

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by m2rs4_official

Turbo Smart Dual Port BOV Install

How long did the install take and how do you like it? Any audio clips?

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Nezil

If you do decide to do this akkando, I'm thinking of offering the installation as a service to those local to the Bay Area.

I hope I don't get in to trouble for posting this; mods please remove this post if I'm violating rules. I'm not really doing this as a business, I've just been asked by several people at local BMW meet ups if I could do this and other mods, and am considering doing just that. I already have a wholesale account for parts at my local dealer, so I can get parts at roughly the same price as the cheapest online.

PM me if that's of any interest.

I'll look into it...

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by AndrewC1989

I feel like it would be a whole lot easier to just get an aftermarket strut brace that goes over the engine cover. Would bolt right up and require a lot less modification to the engine bay.

Carbon:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...-carbon-fiber/

Aluminum:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...race-aluminum/

Steel:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...r-brace-steel/

I bought a used OEM Aluminum M4 brace (easy install) and plan on probably adding a strut one similar to the ones you listed, I have strong doubts that the OEM carbon one does much but on another side you don't have to remove it to access the engine/plugs etc compared to aftermarket ones..

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by PLF69

I bought a used OEM Aluminum M4 brace (easy install) and plan on probably adding a strut one similar to the ones you listed, I have strong doubts that the OEM carbon one does much but on another side you don't have to remove it to access the engine/plugs etc compared to aftermarket ones..

You'd have to remove the oem m2c/m3/m4 carbon brace to access the air filter and possibly the coolant and a few other things so the convenience factor doesn't seem much higher. Also how often are you really changing your plugs and coils? An aftermarket strut brace takes 2 min to remove and requires 0 mods to the engine bay. Seems much easier than retrofitting all the M2C bits.

If you want some carbon bling in the engine bay that doesn't get in the way of stuff, turner makes some nice braces:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...ces-boomerang/

[m2rs4_official]

Originally Posted by AndrewC1989

How long did the install take and how do you like it? Any audio clips?

Hi Andrew, I haven't taken any clips just yet but will do so over the weekend. In terms of installation, it took me just over 4 hours to do so as the one of the bolts was a pain in the bum to reach and it didn't help that i had fat fingers.

All in all, super pleased with the turn out of the TS and its great. Still sounds classy and not too in your face.

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by m2rs4_official

Hi Andrew, I haven't taken any clips just yet but will do so over the weekend. In terms of installation, it took me just over 4 hours to do so as the one of the bolts was a pain in the bum to reach and it didn't help that i had fat fingers.

All in all, super pleased with the turn out of the TS and its great. Still sounds classy and not too in your face.

Any adverse effects? Codes? Lag? Etc.

[m2rs4_official]

Originally Posted by AndrewC1989

How long did the install take and how do you like it? Any audio clips?

The install took me just under 3.5 hours as it was a lil tricky... Almost gave up halfway in.

Job would've been much faster done by a proper mechanic but I had time to kill.

Hope this helps.

[Hrothgar]

I did this today to my new-to-me just today (not even registered yet) 2018 LCI:

-MP Steering Wheel w/ CF insert
-IND CF/alcantara shifter
-IND CF/alcantara hand brake
-IND polar blue Start Button
-AutoID Pre-preq CF mirror chassis and covers

More to come very soon...