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      08-04-2020, 04:50 AM   #309
David.m
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Finished my install today. I've retained the oem boomerang braces but cut off part of the raised lip so the Carbon brace bracket could sit flush on top, I also cut off half the plastic post holding the rubber grommet (air intake) and cut 1-2mm off the top of that grommet so it wasn't pushing up on the carbon brace. Finished this leaves the carbon brace only 1mm or so higher than it would be without the boomerang braces and I've confirmed the closed bonnet doesn't touch the carbon fibre brace.

So far I've just cut/modified the original plastics, maybe a little more shaping of the cowl covers required for a better look.

Have only been for a 15min drive, initial impression is the steering feels a little more direct (even thought it felt a touch lighter but I'm sure it's just the car responding more to steering input). I have Ohlins R&T but so far can't say the braces made any change/improvement to ride. Have an ///M club drive this weekend and track day next week to give me a better idea.
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Last edited by David.m; 01-03-2022 at 01:58 AM..
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      08-04-2020, 08:14 AM   #310
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Altra View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SM2 View Post
How do I get this carbon brace seared properly? Do I need spacers or have to keep the oem corner braces?

I'm bumping into the intake. Would eventually like to do eventuri or dinan intake
Looks like the brace just sits on top of the rubber in this post:

step 30
https://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=86911
I Just needed to remove the pin piece. I also put the rubber piece back on.
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      08-04-2020, 12:45 PM   #311
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Hmm I thought my CF brace was rubbing due to the existing brace and so removed them. Bonnet did seem to close better afterward but don't think my installer did anything to the rubber peg thing some have mentioned?

Now worried haha!
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      08-04-2020, 03:25 PM   #312
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It will rub on the bonnet if you leave the L-braces on. The rubber bush on the intake is what you want. The hard plastic molding that holds it to the radiator support is what needs to be removed. The intake will then be supported by the rubber bush, which is sandwiched between the radiator support and the carbon brace. HTH
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      08-06-2020, 12:20 PM   #313
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M Fifty View Post
It will rub on the bonnet if you leave the L-braces on. The rubber bush on the intake is what you want. The hard plastic molding that holds it to the radiator support is what needs to be removed. The intake will then be supported by the rubber bush, which is sandwiched between the radiator support and the carbon brace. HTH
Can confirm 1st hand that OEM L braces don't cause any contact between CFRP brace and bonnet underside if they are modded as per David.m's photo below from his post #310 above

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      08-06-2020, 12:24 PM   #314
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Mine are staying - untouched - in the garage. Just in case I ever decide to remove the upgraded parts.
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      08-07-2020, 05:45 PM   #315
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Anyone get a chassis stability fault code? I don't think it's associated as the vehicle doesn't have dynamic dampers.
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      08-07-2020, 05:48 PM   #316
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Installed plus Rivnuts are in. I just need to wait for the plastic covers.
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      08-08-2020, 04:14 PM   #317
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I had to cut these guys even though they're intentional? Wouldn't fit otherwise



Bit neater now with the M3/4 seals.

The left scuttle doesn't fit properly now, may have to plump for the real things as looks janky AF. same for Right side I suppose, but then i'll need a whole new bit that goes under the windscreen too? CBA with that if true.
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      08-08-2020, 07:26 PM   #318
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3t3p View Post
I had to cut these guys even though they're intentional? Wouldn't fit otherwise



Bit neater now with the M3/4 seals.

The left scuttle doesn't fit properly now, may have to plump for the real things as looks janky AF. same for Right side I suppose, but then i'll need a whole new bit that goes under the windscreen too? CBA with that if true.
I cut those too and just layed them over the rubber on the passenger side.
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      08-09-2020, 07:28 AM   #319
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Good to know thanks.
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      09-04-2020, 07:00 PM   #320
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Can the plastic hood stop be relocated to the front hole spot in front of the carbon brace? I think this is where I have seen it on M3/M4s.
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      09-17-2020, 03:58 PM   #321
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Anyone here is the one who outbid me on this? Snipped it in the last 2 seconds, while my hands were covered in BBQ chicken, so I couldn't increase my bid haha.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2015-2020-B...orig_cvip=true
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      09-17-2020, 04:54 PM   #322
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Why not just use a real strut bar and save tons of money?
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      09-17-2020, 05:02 PM   #323
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanG View Post
Why not just use a real strut bar and save tons of money?
1) Makes it harder to clean and service the engine bay
2) The hinge bolts on the one in my previous car needed to be re-tightened every few months. I don't wanna deal with that
3) It looks like doodoo
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      09-17-2020, 05:16 PM   #324
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1s View Post
1) Makes it harder to clean and service the engine bay
2) The hinge bolts on the one in my previous car needed to be re-tightened every few months. I don't wanna deal with that
3) It looks like doodoo
I don’t think it makes the engine bay cleaning harder.

And I actually like the way it looks.
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      09-17-2020, 05:27 PM   #325
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanG View Post
Why not just use a real strut bar and save tons of money?
To each his own, and I know you're happy with yours DanG but this retrofit is quite different from a simple strut bar like you've installed.

The Carbon unit provides bracing of the twist in the chassis diagonally across the front end. It's the aluminium section that you don't see in most of these photos that performs the role of the strut bar that you have. It's much beefier, and bolts on to the body and strut tops in multiple locations.

You're absolutely right that it's a more expensive option, and the install is also far more involved. Whilst I've not driven an M2 with a strut bar like yours, I would be extremely surprised if it were possible to achieve the same benefits as this retrofit from a strut brace like that.
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      09-17-2020, 06:21 PM   #326
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nezil View Post
To each his own, and I know you're happy with yours but this retrofit is quite different from a simple strut bar like you've installed.

The Carbon unit provides bracing of the twist in the chassis diagonally across the front end. It's the aluminium section that you don't see in most of these photos that performs the role of the strut bar that you have. It's much beefier, and bolts on to the body and strut tops in multiple locations.

You're absolutely right that it's a more expensive option, and the install is also far more involved. Whilst I've not driven an M2 with a strut bar like yours, I would be extremely surprised if it were possible to achieve the same benefits as this retrofit from a strut brace like that.
You may not be aware that there is a factory brace from the struts to the firewall in the engine bay. I don’t think the M2C brace adds anything substantial except looks over my strut brace.
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      09-17-2020, 06:29 PM   #327
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanG View Post
You may not be aware that there is a factory brace from the struts to the firewall in the engine bay. I don’t think the M2C brace adds anything substantial except looks over my strut brace.
I've now fitted the CFRP and Aluminium braces to 4 cars including my own... I'm very aware of what's there from the factory.

We all like to view what we have higher than alternatives, particularly when we've spent our hard earned cash on it. Without scientific evidence and / or reviews from those that have driven both, it's just my (our) subjective opinion against yours. What we do have, is many journalists commenting on how the M2C's 'revised' suspension (which we all know is identical except for the braces) as being a significant improvement over the OG M2. This provides confidence that the retrofit 'works', but obviously doesn't provide any evidence about your strut brace.

As I said... to each his own, but you're unlikely to convince anyone in this thread because it's a thread about the retrofit.
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      09-17-2020, 06:36 PM   #328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nezil View Post
I've now fitted the CFRP and Aluminium braces to 4 cars including my own... I'm very aware of what's there from the factory.

We all like to view what we have higher than alternatives, particularly when we've spent our hard earned cash on it. Without scientific evidence and / or reviews from those that have driven both, it's just my (our) subjective opinion against yours. What we do have, is many journalists commenting on how the M2C's 'revised' suspension (which we all know is identical except for the braces) as being a significant improvement over the OG M2. This provides confidence that the retrofit 'works', but obviously doesn't provide any evidence about your strut brace.

As I said... to each his own, but you're unlikely to convince anyone in this thread because it's a thread about the retrofit.
I think both options are good. Is the retrofit better? Maybe but I doubt that many of us could tell the difference. The retrofit definitely looks better.
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      09-25-2020, 10:48 PM   #329
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1s View Post
Anyone here is the one who outbid me on this? Snipped it in the last 2 seconds, while my hands were covered in BBQ chicken, so I couldn't increase my bid haha.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2015-2020-B...orig_cvip=true
Just got one for cheaper than that one I missed out on. $620 after tax and shipping. I knew if I waited prices would go down. Now gotta get together the other bits and camber plates. Maybe will wait for black friday for that, but man... that's a long way away. haha
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      09-26-2020, 03:31 AM   #330
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanG View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nezil View Post
I've now fitted the CFRP and Aluminium braces to 4 cars including my own... I'm very aware of what's there from the factory.

We all like to view what we have higher than alternatives, particularly when we've spent our hard earned cash on it. Without scientific evidence and / or reviews from those that have driven both, it's just my (our) subjective opinion against yours. What we do have, is many journalists commenting on how the M2C's 'revised' suspension (which we all know is identical except for the braces) as being a significant improvement over the OG M2. This provides confidence that the retrofit 'works', but obviously doesn't provide any evidence about your strut brace.

As I said... to each his own, but you're unlikely to convince anyone in this thread because it's a thread about the retrofit.
I think both options are good. Is the retrofit better? Maybe but I doubt that many of us could tell the difference. The retrofit definitely looks better.
Dan,

This may not be too scientific or empirical but jacking up the side of my car, compared to doing it with stock brace vs retrofit m2c alloy / CFRP shows a marked difference.

If using the rear jacking point, the front wheel comes off the ground that much sooner. This will also happen with a plain tower brace between the struts but I doubt the difference will be as marked than oem upgrade retrofit.

This translates into my car's EPS being more direct, quicker to respond with more feel.

BP
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