Z3 strut brace bar

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Tue 29 Jan, 2013 17:53

Hi everyone, did anyone here installed a strut brace bar on a Z3??

I know mine is only a 1.9L and it's not really usefull... but it's just for the look, if I can find a cheap one!

Thanks.

Vic-Z3 · Post by **Vic-Z3** » Tue 29 Jan, 2013 18:16

Go for it ...............

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Tue 29 Jan, 2013 18:19

I think most members have one...worth doing

geordie90 · Post by **geordie90** » Tue 29 Jan, 2013 18:21

Perrick you will be amazed at how much more planted the car feels makes a massive differnce to handling

Craig

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Tue 29 Jan, 2013 18:29

Ok, good! I didn't think that would make any difference... specialy on the road, driving at "normal" speed!

So, where did you buy yours?? Does anyone have one for sale? 2nd hand?

I'm looking for something cheap but if I buy on the internet I want to be sure it fits the Z3!

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Tue 29 Jan, 2013 18:36

You can look on eBay, but once you've identified a possible buy, first ask the guys on the forum here if they know the product, or post the link so they can also have a look for you....

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Tue 29 Jan, 2013 18:52

I like the look of this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E36-325-3 ... 4d07d068fa
But too expensive... well not too expansive but I don't want to pay that much!!!

On something like this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series- ... 4ab81ba5c3
And the price is much more like what I'm willing to pay!

Like this one too:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E36-M40-M ... 35c38b0c7b

Anyway... you got it, chrome, aluminium er stainless (or black). And as cheap as possible!

If anyone as the same than the first one for sale second hand that would be fantastic!

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Tue 29 Jan, 2013 18:56

The first one...if it was my choice...

si-forks · Post by **si-forks** » Tue 29 Jan, 2013 20:04

I'm pretty sure the first 2 won't fit your 1.9

Si-forks on tapatalk

geordie90 · Post by **geordie90** » Tue 29 Jan, 2013 22:55

Pierrick make sure its a specific fit for your z3 or you will encounter clearnace prblems for your bonnet and u dont want to dent that cos it'll cost u a fortune.

Mine does not go over top over engine as such it has a kink in it and sits on the suspension turrets then forms an arc towards the baclk of the engine then back round.

If I could figure out how to add pics i would lol

Craig

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Tue 29 Jan, 2013 23:31

geordie90 wrote:Pierrick make sure its a specific fit for your z3 or you will encounter clearnace prblems for your bonnet and u dont want to dent that cos it'll cost u a fortune.

Mine does not go over top over engine as such it has a kink in it and sits on the suspension turrets then forms an arc towards the baclk of the engine then back round.

If I could figure out how to add pics i would lol

Craig

I know what you mean geordie. i've seen a few like the one you describe on e-bay. But as I said it's purely esthetic and I prefer the ones which goes over the top... the question is: Is it possible to have one which goes over the top on a 1.9???

And si-forks I agree with you, most don't fit the 1.9L, I just put the links to show what I was looking for, in case someone know where to find one which fit my car.

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Wed 30 Jan, 2013 22:14

Anyone else with links or anything to help me find a cheap strut bar...

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Wed 30 Jan, 2013 23:08

Hi Pierrick,

Regarding strut braces, unfortunately your limited in choice for the 1.9. As the engine ancilliaries sit rather high no strut brace will fit stright across without hitting the bonnet. The best brace that tends to fit is the e-tech. I fitted one of these but found although I could shut the bonnet it did interfere with it so I took it off in the end. The e-tech goes around the back of the engine so it can sit lower. A few others have fitted this brace successfully, I think my bonnet just must sit slightly lower.

Pic of the e-tech fitted to mine,

There is another brace supposidly for the 1.9 called GT Racing, I also tried this one and it was no-where near fitting well.

The e-tech cost around £120 or so.

Tim.

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Wed 30 Jan, 2013 23:33

120£!! Too much for me, specialy if it doesn't fit! But it looks good!

Thanks for your help advice.

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Thu 31 Jan, 2013 22:09

Thanks for the link. There is a lot of choice! But too expensive for me!

PCSAM · Post by **PCSAM** » Thu 31 Jan, 2013 22:16

one on eBay for the 1.9
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-4cyl-F ... 460c596c51

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Thu 31 Jan, 2013 22:30

PCSAM wrote:one on eBay for the 1.9
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-4cyl-F ... 460c596c51

I bought one of these off the same seller and it was no-where near a correct fit for the facelift Z3, the brace sat far too high

I sent it back but the seller wasn't too happy giving a refund claiming they had never had this problem before

Tim.

TitanTim · Post by **TitanTim** » Thu 31 Jan, 2013 22:32

Pierrick wrote:Thanks for the link. There is a lot of choice! But too expensive for me!

Why not fashion one out of wood? shouldn't cost more than a fiver

Tim.

martyb · Post by **martyb** » Thu 31 Jan, 2013 22:35

Im also looking into these for my 1.9. Just wonderring though is this a modification which insurance would want to know about?

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Thu 31 Jan, 2013 22:38

Well... if I was in france I could make one myself... made of stainless steel! And then polish it to have a nice polished finish! But I can't do it here in England!

I'll keep looking until a bargain comes up! I don't want to spend money on something purely esthetic!

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Sat 02 Feb, 2013 00:35

Well, I'll do without it then! I don't want to spend 100£ on a strut brace bar!

zroadster.net

Z3 strut brace bar

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