CSL Strut Brace

Tall Tom Cruise · 01-11-2023, 11:09 AM

For those who have installed this, have you noticed any differences in steering feel, turn-in, handling, body roll, or chassis stiffness, etc.?

zero21 · 03-13-2023, 11:57 AM

Bump - I can't believe how little discussion there is on front strut brace swaps and results.

ashtaron14 · 03-13-2023, 09:56 PM

My feelings after the CSL brace
- car corners flatter
- steering feels weighed differently, with less freeplay
- shifter feels tighter between gears (6MT)
- less dive under braking
- front seems stiffer/will hop over bumps

It's a significant enough difference and totally worth the money for the piece. Although it might be a bit too sporty for some people.

zero21 · 03-14-2023, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtaron14

My feelings after the CSL brace
- car corners flatter
- steering feels weighed differently, with less freeplay
- shifter feels tighter between gears (6MT)
- less dive under braking
- front seems stiffer/will hop over bumps

It's a significant enough difference and totally worth the money for the piece. Although it might be a bit too sporty for some people.

Thank you.

Anyone have experience with aftermarket pieces that retain the triangular shape and three attachment points?

MannyS · 03-19-2023, 11:59 PM

What size is the strut brace attachment bolt? I need to buy a socket in order to replace the oem strut brace

ashtaron14 · 03-20-2023, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MannyS

What size is the strut brace attachment bolt? I need to buy a socket in order to replace the oem strut brace

13mm & 15mm (there's 2 sizes of bolts)

MannyS · 03-20-2023, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtaron14

13mm & 15mm (there's 2 sizes of bolts)

Thanks!

Mowe · 03-20-2023, 12:50 PM

I’ll be honest. In regards to suspension I have the KW HAS kit and the Falline Motorsports strut brace.

I don’t have a good reference on stock vs KW as I installed them within 200 miles of new. The FMS brace was just installed and I don’t feel a big difference.

The car still corners well and feels planted. I do drive it spiritedly but not like a maniac race car driver.

My .02.

seals9121 · 03-23-2023, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtaron14

My feelings after the CSL brace
- car corners flatter
- steering feels weighed differently, with less freeplay
- shifter feels tighter between gears (6MT)
- less dive under braking
- front seems stiffer/will hop over bumps

It's a significant enough difference and totally worth the money for the piece. Although it might be a bit too sporty for some people.

you might have a very very very sensitive feeling about cars.

ashtaron14 · 03-23-2023, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seals9121

you might have a very very very sensitive feeling about cars.

That's because I won the tire lottery.

You feel way more with the Michelins over the Pirellis

myg80m3 · 03-29-2023, 06:58 PM

Some information about the CSL strut brace. As you guys know this part is discontinued for now and no dealer has any in stock. BMW Germany hasn’t confirmed when they will be making any and they will no longer sell the strut brace to anyone who does not own a G82 CSL or G80 CS. If and when they do produce more CSL strut braces. It will be used for warranty coverage purposes only.

I was lucky enough to fined one which was the last one located in California.

stormlv · 04-01-2023, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myg80m3

Some information about the CSL strut brace. As you guys know this part is discontinued for now and no dealer has any in stock. BMW Germany hasn’t confirmed when they will be making any and they will no longer sell the strut brace to anyone who does not own a G82 CSL or G80 CS. If and when they do produce more CSL strut braces. It will be used for warranty coverage purposes only.

I was lucky enough to fined one which was the last one located in California.

How do you know? (not questioning, just curious)
Regardless, your comment pushed me over the edge and just ordered one

Forzanerazzurri · 04-02-2023, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtaron14

That's because I won the tire lottery.

You feel way more with the Michelins over the Pirellis

Ya you feel those mushy sidewalls on the Michelins

fanofbmwe46 · 04-02-2023, 11:19 AM

What’s the part number?

stormlv · 04-02-2023, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanofbmwe46

what’s the part number?

51617885847

fanofbmwe46 · 04-02-2023, 02:02 PM

What’s the best price folks have been able to get it for? About $1800?

christianb5s4 · 03-20-2024, 04:35 PM

All - I thought I'd check in and ask about more feedback around the improvements or lackthereof people have experienced going from stock to CSL braces?

I'm likely picking one up tomorrow but wanted to sanity check first.

josephx66 · 03-20-2024, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christianb5s4

All - I thought I'd check in and ask about more feedback around the improvements or lackthereof people have experienced going from stock to CSL braces?

I'm likely picking one up tomorrow but wanted to sanity check first.

No idea if it helps or not. I bought it mainly cause it looks bad ass

Limegrntaln · 03-20-2024, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christianb5s4

All - I thought I'd check in and ask about more feedback around the improvements or lackthereof people have experienced going from stock to CSL braces?

I'm likely picking one up tomorrow but wanted to sanity check first.

Its more of a design choice. There may be some unnoticable differences. But, you're not going to take 2 seconds off your lap time, or anything.

Personally, this stupid brace used to be $700, and the M taxed the hell out of all of the CSL parts a few months after the CSL came out. I ordered one, it didn't fit with the gen 1 eventuri intake, so, I immediately sold it. But I cant stomach the stupid price increase, so, I wont pickup another one.

christianb5s4 · 03-20-2024, 06:59 PM

I like the way this looks over any aftermarket option, and can get it for a decent price albeit double what it cost new from BMW before marking up the heck out of it. I'll keep everyone posted if I notice any difference.

RUNSOK · 03-20-2024, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

Its more of a design choice. There may be some unnoticable differences. But, you're not going to take 2 seconds off your lap time, or anything.

Personally, this stupid brace used to be $700, and the M taxed the hell out of all of the CSL parts a few months after the CSL came out. I ordered one, it didn't fit with the gen 1 eventuri intake, so, I immediately sold it. But I cant stomach the stupid price increase, so, I wont pickup another one.

I agree there is noway you can quantify the difference it makes. Especially in the hands of a non professional driver, it is impossible to judge how many seconds or tenths of a second this brace alone can shave of your lap times. May be taking average lap times over 10 laps or so with oem brace vs csl brace. That could indicate one better than the other. Probably best way to test is not to even know which brace is installed on each run.

Limegrntaln · 03-20-2024, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUNSOK

I agree there is noway you can quantify the difference it makes. Especially in the hands of a non professional driver, it is impossible to judge how many seconds or tenths of a second this brace alone can shave of your lap times. May be taking average lap times over 10 laps or so with oem brace vs csl brace. That could indicate one better than the other. Probably best way to test is not to even know which brace is installed on each run.

That definitely makes sense. Make the passes without knowing whats installed. Good suggestion.

01-11-2023, 11:09 AM	#1
Tall Tom Cruise Lieutenant 1002 Rep 569 Posts Drives: '21 G80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1)	CSL Strut Brace For those who have installed this, have you noticed any differences in steering feel, turn-in, handling, body roll, or chassis stiffness, etc.?
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03-13-2023, 11:57 AM	#2
zero21 Lieutenant Colonel 3253 Rep 1,836 Posts Drives: G87 sold Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (0)	Bump - I can't believe how little discussion there is on front strut brace swaps and results.
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03-13-2023, 09:56 PM	#3
ashtaron14 Major 1123 Rep 1,083 Posts Drives: G80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: HK iTrader: (0)	My feelings after the CSL brace - car corners flatter - steering feels weighed differently, with less freeplay - shifter feels tighter between gears (6MT) - less dive under braking - front seems stiffer/will hop over bumps It's a significant enough difference and totally worth the money for the piece. Although it might be a bit too sporty for some people. __________________ My G80 M3 Follow me on IG
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03-19-2023, 11:59 PM	#5
MannyS Lieutenant 357 Rep 409 Posts Drives: Spouse’s M4CX convertible Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Republic of Texas iTrader: (1)	What size is the strut brace attachment bolt? I need to buy a socket in order to replace the oem strut brace
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03-20-2023, 12:50 PM	#8
Mowe Lieutenant 2456 Rep 541 Posts Drives: G82 Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW M4 [10.00]	I’ll be honest. In regards to suspension I have the KW HAS kit and the Falline Motorsports strut brace. I don’t have a good reference on stock vs KW as I installed them within 200 miles of new. The FMS brace was just installed and I don’t feel a big difference. The car still corners well and feels planted. I do drive it spiritedly but not like a maniac race car driver. My .02. __________________ Instagram - _MOWE_
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03-29-2023, 06:58 PM	#11
myg80m3 First Lieutenant 1135 Rep 301 Posts Drives: BMW G80 Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: california iTrader: (0)	Some information about the CSL strut brace. As you guys know this part is discontinued for now and no dealer has any in stock. BMW Germany hasn’t confirmed when they will be making any and they will no longer sell the strut brace to anyone who does not own a G82 CSL or G80 CS. If and when they do produce more CSL strut braces. It will be used for warranty coverage purposes only. I was lucky enough to fined one which was the last one located in California.
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04-02-2023, 11:19 AM	#14
fanofbmwe46 Major 2072 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: united states iTrader: (0)	What’s the part number?
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04-02-2023, 02:02 PM	#16
fanofbmwe46 Major 2072 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: united states iTrader: (0)	What’s the best price folks have been able to get it for? About $1800?
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03-20-2024, 04:35 PM	#17
christianb5s4 Lieutenant 826 Rep 590 Posts Drives: Built 2001 Audi S4 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Newport Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	All - I thought I'd check in and ask about more feedback around the improvements or lackthereof people have experienced going from stock to CSL braces? I'm likely picking one up tomorrow but wanted to sanity check first. __________________ 2024 M3 CompX Dravit Grey - MP HAS - Millway - MHC+ carbon - CS software - MAD single-mid - PPF 2019 G05 X5 x40i, built 2001 600whp B5 S4.
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03-20-2024, 06:59 PM	#20
christianb5s4 Lieutenant 826 Rep 590 Posts Drives: Built 2001 Audi S4 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Newport Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	I like the way this looks over any aftermarket option, and can get it for a decent price albeit double what it cost new from BMW before marking up the heck out of it. I'll keep everyone posted if I notice any difference. __________________ 2024 M3 CompX Dravit Grey - MP HAS - Millway - MHC+ carbon - CS software - MAD single-mid - PPF 2019 G05 X5 x40i, built 2001 600whp B5 S4.
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