[shaneguags]

Looking to stiffen up the suspension with a front strut brace. Looking to buy the OEM carbon brace off the M2C / M3 / M4 or a metal one

[shaneguags]

still looking, doesn’t have to be the OEM carbon one

[F87source]

The turner brace is a good choice imo, I have one for my own car.

Other options could be a simple strut brace, there are plenty of cheaper options out there too, such as: KC design, racing dynamics, ultra racing, AFE etc.

[shaneguags]

Originally Posted by F87source

The turner brace is a good choice imo, I have one for my own car.

Other options could be a simple strut brace, there are plenty of cheaper options out there too, such as: KC design, racing dynamics, ultra racing, AFE etc.

you have a pic and link of Tuner’s ? I didn’t see one available anywhere and didn’t even know they made one. I was eyeing the aFe control gunmetal one, it seems pretty solid

[F87source]

Originally Posted by shaneguags

you have a pic and link of Tuner’s ? I didn’t see one available anywhere and didn’t even know they made one. I was eyeing the aFe control gunmetal one, it seems pretty solid

Yeah I have a review on it: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1951668

Yeah the AFE one is a solid option! Only small issue is that to remove it you have to remove the single use strut tower bolts each time.

[TargaM2]

Unless you go for the oem M3 brace which is clearly the best option, I don’t that see that it matters which brand you go for as they all attach the same & are constructed pretty much the same (I would have liked one that captured all the strut top bolts but afaik no aftermarket version does that).
Thus I have the KC versions (pic below) as I wanted a matching brace for the rear, however imo the AFE is the pick of the aftermarket options.

[shaneguags]

Originally Posted by F87source

Yeah I have a review on it: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1951668

Yeah the AFE one is a solid option! Only small issue is that to remove it you have to remove the single use strut tower bolts each time.

oh dang, that sounds like a pain in the ass

[shaneguags]

Originally Posted by TargaM2

Unless you go for the oem M3 brace which is clearly the best option, I don’t that see that it matters which brand you go for as they all attach the same & are constructed pretty much the same (I would have liked one that captured all the strut top bolts but afaik no aftermarket version does that).
Thus I have the KC versions (pic below) as I wanted a matching brace for the rear, however imo the AFE is the pick of the aftermarket options.

you paint match it like that I’m assuming ? also, you have a link to the KC one ? looks pretty simple and good

[F87source]

Originally Posted by shaneguags

oh dang, that sounds like a pain in the ass

Yeah, that's why I was looking for strut tower braces with a removeable center bar. But that being said the tubular design of the AFE strut tower brace is likely the best one on the market in terms of performance.


In terms of corner braces, I think the TMS ones are the best.

[DanG]

I have the Racing Dynamics version. Easy install and works great.

[shaneguags]

Originally Posted by F87source

Yeah, that's why I was looking for strut tower braces with a removeable center bar. But that being said the tubular design of the AFE strut tower brace is likely the best one on the market in terms of performance.


In terms of corner braces, I think the TMS ones are the best.

do those corner braces even do anything tho ? they more so for aethetics right ? I think I’ll get the aFe when it’s time

[shaneguags]

Originally Posted by shaneguags

do those corner braces even do anything tho ? they more so for aethetics right ?

Originally Posted by DanG

I have the Racing Dynamics version. Easy install and works great.

nice, I was looking at that one earlier. I just hate the chrome and dark blue lettering 😓

[TargaM2]

Originally Posted by shaneguags

you paint match it like that I’m assuming ? also, you have a link to the KC one ? looks pretty simple and good

https://www.tw-kcdesign.com/products/2_256_259/1

Yes painted them both myself (they come painted black).
I upgraded the single use strut bolts so don’t have that issue.
If I was just buying an aftermarket front brace I’d go for the AFE version.

[shaneguags]

Originally Posted by TargaM2

https://www.tw-kcdesign.com/products/2_256_259/1

Yes painted them both myself as they come painted black.
I upgraded the single use strut bolts so don’t have that issue.

you think aFe significantly better than the KC design that you have ? I actually quite like the matte black. I might actually get that one. I love how simple the look is.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by shaneguags

do those corner braces even do anything tho ? they more so for aethetics right ? I think I’ll get the aFe when it’s time

Yes they absolutely improve chassis stiffness, I can feel a noticeable increase in terms of steering feel when cornering hard, and I can feel a "more tight" steering wheel when going over bumps like speed bumps.

So no they are not just for aesthetics, if you look at the engineering that went into these braces (especially compared to the flimsy stock braces) they are legit.


But at the end of the day its your choice what you end up buying.

[TargaM2]

Originally Posted by shaneguags

you think aFe significantly better than the KC design that you have ? I actually quite like the matte black. I might actually get that one. I love how simple the look is.

Honestly, no I doubt there’s any noticable difference whatsoever, they don’t make that big a difference on these cars anyway, I just like the look of the AFE design now (it wasn’t around a couple of years ago when I got mine) & as I said I wanted a matching rear version.
Unless you get the oem M3 type, the pick is probably the racing dynamics as the centre bar is removable for convenience but I don’t like the polished finish. As for the rest, they may vary in design but will all do the same job (don’t expect a big improvement, it’s just a strut brace).

[F87source]

Originally Posted by shaneguags

you think aFe significantly better than the KC design that you have ? I actually quite like the matte black. I might actually get that one. I love how simple the look is.

Yes absolutely the AFE one is better, from the tubular design alone will offer a massive increase in brace rigidity which will translate to a significant increase in chassis rigidity. Because if the brace can flex at all, then it will not be able to increase chasis rigidity as much as it could.


Next take a look at the end plates, the AFE one uses much thicker metal and it is double boxed in so there is more lateral support along the length of the bar vs. the kc design end plates which imo are extremely thin and single boxed. So in this aspect the AFE brace will be much more rigid and this be better at transfering load to the bar itself. Also look how it attaches to the main bar, its literally attached by the end of an extremely thin piece of metal and off center too. This means it will be subjected to massive sheer forces and I don't think the end plate with its thickness will be able to resist those forces effectively.

Like I said before if the brace flexes at all it will not be able to transfer as much load as it can, and thus will not contribute as much to rigidity.

[shaneguags]

Originally Posted by F87source

Yes absolutely the AFE one is better, from the tubular design alone will offer a massive increase in brace rigidity which will translate to a significant increase in chassis rigidity. Because if the brace can flex at all, then it will not be able to increase chasis rigidity as much as it could.


Next take a look at the end plates, the AFE one uses much thicker metal and it is double boxed in so there is more lateral support along the length of the bar vs. the kc design end plates which imo are extremely thin and single boxed. So in this aspect the AFE brace will be much more rigid and this be better at transfering load to the bar itself. Also look how it attaches to the main bar, its literally attached by the end of an extremely thin piece of metal and off center too. This means it will be subjected to massive sheer forces and I don't think the end plate with its thickness will be able to resist those forces effectively.

Like I said before if the brace flexes at all it will not be able to transfer as much load as it can, and thus will not contribute as much to rigidity.

yea looking at it better, that all makes sense. for $100 more, seems like aFe is definitely the move. I was planning on adding this with some sway bars to improve street performance. but others said it would be a waste unless I was looking to track my car.

[TargaM2]

Originally Posted by shaneguags

yea looking at it better, that all makes sense. for $100 more, seems like aFe is definitely the move. I was planning on adding this with some sway bars to improve street performance. but others said it would be a waste unless I was looking to track my car.

I have also upgraded to adjustable sway bars (Whiteline front & rear) & unlike the strut braces they definitely do make a very noticable difference both on road & on track.
It depends what you want from your car & what you do with it, but imo always listen to experienced people that have actually DONE these mods & used them both on & off track, NOT to armchair experts. Then you can decide on what is best suited to what you do with your car.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by shaneguags

yea looking at it better, that all makes sense. for $100 more, seems like aFe is definitely the move. I was planning on adding this with some sway bars to improve street performance. but others said it would be a waste unless I was looking to track my car.

Sway bars would be best suited for track use imo.

Plus the rear sway bars are a major pain to install, requiring the rear subframe to be dropped.

[shaneguags]

Originally Posted by TargaM2

I have also upgraded to adjustable sway bars (Whiteline front & rear) & unlike the strut braces they definitely do make a very noticable difference both on road & on track.
It depends what you want from your car & what you do with it, but imo always listen to experienced people that have actually DONE these mods & used them both on & off track, NOT to armchair experts. Then you can decide on what is best suited to what you do with your car.

see I’m stuck on whether I need them since I don’t track and only really drive my car as a daily. I like to do pulls here and there but never really get to push the car hard unless on the highways. I’m never really tight cornering so I’m not sure whethet it would be a waste or not.

[shaneguags]

Originally Posted by F87source

Sway bars would be best suited for track use imo.

Plus the rear sway bars are a major pain to install, requiring the rear subframe to be dropped.

yea I saw that in a YouTube video. I wanted to just do the front but think it’ll be weird to only do the front and not the rear. Would you agree with that ?