[gphung]

Originally Posted by M Fifty

I now have the M2C vacuum hoses and partition, so I'll report soon.

Update:

1. Okay, the upper vacuum hose does give a bit more clearance over the edges of the brace, but not enough to be worth doing - and the connection to the lower hose is reversed.

2. 51758061866 Partition, equipment area, top. This does make a significant amount of extra space for the brace, which anyone having problems getting the centre two bolts in should find useful.

Originally Posted by AWC-F87

It creates a good gap. I'll report back with what I do.

Hey guys, been going over this thread a few times these past couple of months in preparation for fitting just the aluminum brace. I also got the M2C top partition piece (51758061866) to allow for an easier/better fitment of the brace. I will be leaving all other plastics/cowls/rubbers stock for the time being (will slowly retrofit the other M2C plastic pieces later).

This is a dumb question honestly, but one thing I wasn't sure was what's required in order to swap the 51758061866 piece in.

1. Do you have to remove the windshield wiper arms?
2. Any other pieces we need to get out of the way?
3. Any particular sockets needed?

I definitely wanna DIY this, but this will actually be the first mod that requires me to invest in new torx and e-torx sockets (I know right?), and I wanna make sure I have all the right tools.

Unrelated to the partition piece, I guess I'll also need to buy a rivnut tool. I'm still not entirely convinced if I should DIY this simply because I don't know when I'd ever use this tool again lol.

Thanks for the help!

[M Fifty]

I didn't buy a rivnut tool - but went down the nut and bolt with several washers route.

[M Fifty]

As for the rest: in order to swap the original part for 51758061866 Partition, equipment area, top: I had to remove the aluminium brace - which meant I had to remove all the trim at the bottom of the windscreen, and so the wiper arms had to come off.

HTH

[M Fifty]

So yes: You are going to have to remove the wiper arms, the windscreen cowl, the trims that attach to same, the trims around the hood hinges, the rubber covers for the strut tops, the existing strut brace, the strut tops themselves and the bush for the slam panel mounting.

The existing braces at the front are possibly optional, but probably superfluous if you fit the CF brace.

HTH

[SM2]

Originally Posted by gphung

Hey guys, been going over this thread a few times these past couple of months in preparation for fitting just the aluminum brace. I also got the M2C top partition piece (51758061866) to allow for an easier/better fitment of the brace. I will be leaving all other plastics/cowls/rubbers stock for the time being (will slowly retrofit the other M2C plastic pieces later).

This is a dumb question honestly, but one thing I wasn't sure was what's required in order to swap the 51758061866 piece in.

1. Do you have to remove the windshield wiper arms?
2. Any other pieces we need to get out of the way?
3. Any particular sockets needed?

I definitely wanna DIY this, but this will actually be the first mod that requires me to invest in new torx and e-torx sockets (I know right?), and I wanna make sure I have all the right tools.

Unrelated to the partition piece, I guess I'll also need to buy a rivnut tool. I'm still not entirely convinced if I should DIY this simply because I don't know when I'd ever use this tool again lol.

Thanks for the help!

Correct, you will need to remove the wiper blade arms to insert the new cowl. I believe when I did mine I loosened the bolt pushed down on the arm side because the arm is wedged. Was a little tricky. PDF I came across is attached below. I did not use the special tool.

[SM2]

Tight fit. Needed about 3 spacers in front. And adjusted hood Latch one twist. Foam padding under the brace as they will be touching. Used the same length screws as the ones used on the 2 locations mounting to the aluminum bracket.

[gphung]

I tried looking everywhere for this info but failed to find it. Do you guys know what size E-torx I need for the 6 bolts (3 per side) that secure the aluminum brace onto the top hats (31106859809)?

I know I should be getting a full E-torx and torx set, but I just wanna make sure whatever I'm buying isn't missing the one I need.

Thanks!

edit: Clearly I didn't actually look everywhere. It just hit me Farkle makes really amazing in-depth videos and he says E12.

[M Fifty]

I'm not sure that's the right part number...

Edit: I think you want 31106859809 - Torx screw with collar. But mine currently uses a regular Hex bolt with captive washer. Which is strange - as the pics of the original install I did show 31106859809...

[Zeese]

Originally Posted by M Fifty

I'm not sure that's the right part number...

Edit: I think you want 31106859809 - Torx screw with collar. But mine currently uses a regular Hex bolt with captive washer. Which is strange - as the pics of the original install I did show 31106859809...

Right...
Parts list
As I recall, a forum member posted a recent list on Google Docs.

[gphung]

Originally Posted by M Fifty

I'm not sure that's the right part number...

Edit: I think you want 31106859809 - Torx screw with collar. But mine currently uses a regular Hex bolt with captive washer. Which is strange - as the pics of the original install I did show 31106859809...

Yup you're right, I accidentally copied the wrong part from my parts order invoice. I indeed meant 31106859809 and I have 6 qty of that. Edited my post to hopefully prevent confusion. Thank you!

[Zeese]

This mod has gotten much more interesting (price-wise). Whether on purpose or by accident, BMW has lowered the price of the Carbon Fiber Strut Brace by $1K.

MSRP ~ $800. New may be found @ 20% off or close to $625. Used ought to see prices drop to 50% of that. Guessing all the parts, including new trim, if desired, may be found for less than $2K.

Used prices were all over the place. Thinking this mod is overdue for me.

Strut, CFRP - Front End - BMW (51-61-8-061-631)

[M Fifty]

Originally Posted by Zeese

This mod has gotten much more interesting (price-wise). Whether on purpose or by accident, BMW has lowered the price of the Carbon Fiber Strut Brace by $1K.

New @ $625ish. Used ought to see prices drop to 50% of that. Guessing all the parts, including new trim, if desired, may be found for less than $2K.

Used prices were all over the place. Thinking this mod is overdue for me.

Strut, CFRP - Front End - BMW (51-61-8-061-631)

Interesting...

[c0riolis]

Originally Posted by AWC-F87

If you have an LCI car the fenders are already notched for the aluminum brace. So with these notches it's easy to use a rivnut tool.

Confirming that this is indeed the case with my 2018 LCI, the fenders are already notched, L&R pictures below.

I can also confirm that the prices for the carbon fiber brace significantly dropped, I was able to order the full parts list brand new for roughly $1700.

The aluminum strut brace is back-ordered though, the dealership estimated 2-3 weeks for it to come from Germany.

[SM2]

All carbon!

[M Fifty]

Originally Posted by c0riolis

Confirming that this is indeed the case with my 2018 LCI, the fenders are already notched, L&R pictures below.

August 2017 build date LCI here and no notches. But, this is not a show stopper for getting the braces fitted. Might require some thought to torque the bolts into the rivnuts though.

I think it might just be the fender panels that are different?

[M Fifty]

Originally Posted by Zeese

This mod has gotten much more interesting (price-wise). Whether on purpose or by accident, BMW has lowered the price of the Carbon Fiber Strut Brace by $1K.

MSRP ~ $800. New may be found @ 20% off or close to $625. Used ought to see prices drop to 50% of that. Guessing all the parts, including new trim, if desired, may be found for less than $2K.

Used prices were all over the place. Thinking this mod is overdue for me.

Strut, CFRP - Front End - BMW (51-61-8-061-631)

You're not kidding. I just bought a 2nd (used) CF brace for 20% of what I paid for the original item. Meanwhile, there are breakers on eBay that are trying to sell examples where the only undamaged bit is the CF (all the mounts have been ripped off) for more...

[widetyres]

Originally Posted by M Fifty

August 2017 build date LCI here and no notches. But, this is not a show stopper for getting the braces fitted. Might require some thought to torque the bolts into the rivnuts though.

I think it might just be the fender panels that are different?

On an OG, I would recommend undoing the fender bolts along the top edge (I think that there are 2 or 3 in the engine bay and one inside the door on each side). I had to do this to get the rivnut tool in, and it also makes it easier to get the alu brace into position and torque the bolt into the rivnut. I wish I had those cut-aways!

Next time I pull it apart, I might get some large hex bolts, so that in future I can just use a ball-ended hex bit at an angle, and save undoing the bodywork.

WT

[David.m]

Originally Posted by widetyres

On an OG, I would recommend undoing the fender bolts along the top edge (I think that there are 2 or 3 in the engine bay and one inside the door on each side). I had to do this to get the rivnut tool in, and it also makes it easier to get the alu brace into position and torque the bolt into the rivnut. I wish I had those cut-aways!

Next time I pull it apart, I might get some large hex bolts, so that in future I can just use a ball-ended hex bit at an angle, and save undoing the bodywork.

WT

My July 17 LCI doesn't have the guard cut-outs. I've found if you remove the rubber seal that goes across the top of the cowling it's easy to get the alloy brace in/out. I bought a spare 3/8 drive E14 torx socket & shortened it by 5mm which lets me get my Kincrome torque wrench in there.
Was thinking of doing my own cut-out on the guard but a panel beater mate recommended against it saying that removing the half-round edge will weaken the panel.

[shaneguags]

looking to install this soon but just had questions about the parts, do I need to run all the plastics or is it optional ? I seen some run without it but not sure if that causes potential risk for water damage

[3LiterBeater]

Originally Posted by shaneguags

looking to install this soon but just had questions about the parts, do I need to run all the plastics or is it optional ? I seen some run without it but not sure if that causes potential risk for water damage

I don’t run any of the M2C plastics, just trimmed away some OG plastics to allow for the aluminum brace.
I do not run the bolts requiring the rivnut tool. Aluminum brace alone made a significant difference

[samsamdar]

Does anyone know what other intakes will fit with the carbon brace besides OEM and Eventuri? I'm wondering if I can get this done with my current CTS intake...

[samsamdar]

Okay so just confirmed that this retrofit will not work for the CTS turbo intake for anyone wondering! Does everyone else have the issue with the aluminum brace pushing down on the battery terminal? I put a few layers of electrical tape around the area but I'm wondering if there's anything else I need to do to ensure I won't have any issues?