[Hit_Apex]

It’s a structural part that becomes increasingly important to support the CSL suspension and Cup 2Rs. You are much more likely to see it in lap times on a track prepped car than a stock non-CSL. If you are not using it to tie together other mods the durability and performance benefits won’t be realized.

[M4Tejas]

What we noticed the last 35+ years with chassis braces, and Lou made a ton of money with them on the Camaros, G2.... we were laughing the 1st time the entire side came up with a lack of flex. Jack one corner the entire car comes up. The Mustang Fox bodies with the police duty braces, there were several available would stiffen it up like crazy. (rivet floor pan panels OEM) Boris Said was hauling at 189 in Nevada when Blu Blocker, Sugarman had the races. Stan Martin runs a Ford Lightning and makes his own braces hitting 140+ in a truck. Moral to the story, braces work at extremes in conjunction with the rest of race car bits.

Silver State Classic Challenge ya need all the help you can get

Convertibles, get additional structural consideration. On the G8x platform, I would like at see a body break down schematic.

[christianb5s4]

Well I went for it, will share thoughts soon. I do plan on CS coding so this should tie in nicely along with the MP HAS on the car already.

[Hit_Apex]

Originally Posted by christianb5s4

Well I went for it, will share thoughts soon. I do plan on CS coding so this should tie in nicely along with the MP HAS on the car already.

Very nice! Track day in the M soon?

[christianb5s4]

Originally Posted by Hit_Apex

Very nice! Track day in the M soon?

That's definitely in the cards. I've seen some Auto-X events relatively local too I'd like to try, one of the reasons I wanted this car. It can hold it's own for track use. Also going to do CS coding which should tie nicely into the brace.

I wouldn't say I'd turn into a track rat but want to learn the car's limits and become a better driver in a controlled environment because the car's limits are far higher than mine currently!

If you know of any events, please let me know if you don't mind.

[ny2nj]

Originally Posted by christianb5s4

Well I went for it, will share thoughts soon. I do plan on CS coding so this should tie in nicely along with the MP HAS on the car already.

Sweet. Where did you purchase it from?

[christianb5s4]

A local posted for sale 15 mins from me, got it for $1400 if helpful as a reference. Couldn't pass it up.

[christianb5s4]

Now that I've had some driving time. The brace definitely added rigidity, sharp slopes I used to hear creaks on are no longer. Steering also feels sharper by a slight amount and overall the car feels more stiff. Other components run are Millway monoballs and MP HAS.

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by zero21

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

I started a thread awhile ago:
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ht=strut+brace

You've prolly seen.

Just my 2cents/from reading:

1) CSL brace is prob only one that could "stiffen" the front end.

2) Most "good" strut braces probably only match the stock/non-CSL performance - but may look better (fall line comes to mind).

3) I bet a lot of them are bling and not as stiff as stock and have poorer performance than the stock/non-CSL brace.

JMHO

[M4Lou]

Check this out - this looks to approximate the CSL brace. While not that attractive (lol) - at least industry is trying to fill a nich:

https://x-ph.com/plm-billet-front-st...RoCkYUQAvD_BwE

[SwankPeRFection]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

Check this out - this looks to approximate the CSL brace. While not that attractive (lol) - at least industry is trying to fill a nich:

https://x-ph.com/plm-billet-front-st...RoCkYUQAvD_BwE

Maybe so, but the problem is still all the screwed in junction points. There’s a reason the CSL one is a single piece and not broken up and bolted together.

[Skyscraper]

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.

Still bitter, eh?

[Limegrntaln]

Originally Posted by Skyscraper

Still bitter, eh?

I’m more bitter that they 4x the price of the bar. But I made up for it a little by getting the CSL tails for $2,200.

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

Maybe so, but the problem is still all the screwed in junction points. There’s a reason the CSL one is a single piece and not broken up and bolted together.

100% agree.

[Skyscraper]

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

I’m more bitter that they 4x the price of the bar. But I made up for it a little by getting the CSL tails for $2,200.

I got hosed on both. But it’s a company car so they were expended as equipment cost.

[Limegrntaln]

Originally Posted by Skyscraper

I got hosed on both. But it’s a company car so they were expended as equipment cost.

I just can’t believe the pricing. $2,800 for a $750 strut brace is just nuts.

[GolfCoyote]

I reaaaaallly find it hard to believe that some of you are able to “feel” the difference in this vs the stock unit. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say after spending $2,800 on something like this there might be a bit of placebo effect going on lol

[christianb5s4]

1. I spent about half that. 2. I can feel a difference in handling. 3. Objectively, I can hear it added stiffness via no creaks or sounds when going up a few steep spots on my every day commute that used to make the car creak slightly.

[M4Tejas]

Originally Posted by Limegrntaln

I’m more bitter that they 4x the price of the bar. But I made up for it a little by getting the CSL tails for $2,200.

YUP (yelling)

[bmw noob]

If it offers any performance benefits, I would say they are minimal at best.

Reminds me of intakes and exhausts. People swear they feel a difference. Maybe they do, maybe they don't. Who cares. If they are happy, good for them.

For me? I bought it for looks. Period. Any performance gain is a bonus.

[GolfCoyote]

Originally Posted by bmw noob

If it offers any performance benefits, I would say they are minimal at best.

Reminds me of intakes and exhausts. People swear they feel a difference. Maybe they do, maybe they don't. Who cares. If they are happy, good for them.

For me? I bought it for looks. Period. Any performance gain is a bonus.

Can't deny it definitely looks pretty rad, that would be the only reason I'd get one. I think the Dinan matte CF brace is a close second for me and probably the route I'll go mainly because it's significantly cheaper lol. Unless I can find a CSL brace from a wrecker for a decent price.

[bmw noob]

Originally Posted by GolfCoyote

Can't deny it definitely looks pretty rad, that would be the only reason I'd get one. I think the Dinan matte CF brace is a close second for me and probably the route I'll go mainly because it's significantly cheaper lol. Unless I can find a CSL brace from a wrecker for a decent price.

I got it when it was first released, so I paid the initial MSRP and had it powder coated locally to match San Marino. I would NOT pay what they are currently going for. I think bmw realized the demand pretty quickly, and wanted to protect the exclusivity of the "actual" CSL parts.

I stopped following things, but Dinan makes quality (if not overpriced) stuff, so I'm sure it's pretty. I have enough cf with the engine cover, so I am happy with the powder coated aluminum.