ATTENTION ALL: e90 - e92 - e93 owners
The wait is over!
It is finally available, our own (Rennzport Performance Strutbrace) for the above vehicles. Here is a modification that you can keep on your car for routine dealer servicing, and wil not adversely affect your motorplan.
DEFINITION:
A strutbrace, strutbar or a strut tower brace is the same name for the same thing.
Wikipedia to the rescue again: A strutbrace is designed to "reduce strut tower flex by tying two parallel strut towers together. This transmits the load of each strut tower during cornering via tension and compression of the strut bar which shares the load between both towers and reduces chassis flex."
Hmmmmm...:mmm:....Well to put this more simply, BMWs need some added chassis strengthening in the front to give more "bite" to the front wheels and to improve driving precision. The factory OEM strutbar is not adequate and a weakness in the grand design. Aftermarket strutbraces is meant to strengthen the fairly weak strut tower sheet metal on our BMWs and reduce that "vague" feeling at speeds.
When turning, a car's strut towers normally flex. This may cause the losing of some traction. The strut tower brace distribute the pressure applied to one strut tower when taking a turn on both towers instead of just one and in that way keeps the strut towers from flexing.:thumbsup:
This results in improved chassis rigidity and reduced body roll. Understeer is also reduced, tire wear is improved and metal fatigue is minimized in the strut tower portion.
When you have a lowered and performance suspension such as my Bilstein Ride Control Suspension, a strutbrace will definitely enhance the dampening function and structural support of your vehicle and is a great way to further solidify a vehicle's suspension.
A PICTURE OF STOCK STRUTBAR ON 135/335:
1. The stock strutbar on the 335/135 is made of a single piece of round lightweight aluminium tubing (See picture above), bent in the middle, squashed flat at both ends. A hole is drilled at the flattened end and its attached to the car with one bolt.
2. The stock strutbar goes straight across the strut tower opening, blocking access to one of the adjustable strut adjustment knobs.
3. It also attaches through a single bolt on each tower. It should at least attach all 3 strut top mounting bolts in order to spread the transmitted impact loads across a broad area, for additional strut tower rigidity and integrity.
Some of you may recall that I installed the 135i BMW performance strutbrace on my 335i since BMW Germany does not yet have a strutbrace for the 335i. I am sure the 135i strutbar fits the 135i perfectly for which it was manufactured but I had some challenges trying to make it work on my 335i. :banghead: Initially, the 135 Performance Strutbrace worked fine on my car but caused some issues over time. Here is a picture of the 135i strutbar installed on my car when the engine bay was still sprinkling clean:excited:
1. It did not clear the stock airbox and I tried all sorts of trickery to raise the strut bar but to no avail.
2. Even without the stock airbox in place; using DCIs; I still experienced some play and flexibility on the front wheels due to the shifting bolt rings on the 135i performance strutbrace. I wonder if 135 owners also experience this. :thinker:
3. Tightening the bolts supplied with the 135 Performance Strutbrace caused the aluminium bar to scratch badly and shifts under acceleration.
4. The worse was the nagging knocking of the 135i Performance strutbrace against the airbox when the car was cold.
5. The stock airbox also got badly scratch and no amount of padding could prevent it.
INTRODUCING: THE RENNZPORT PERFORMANCE STRUTBRACE, manufactured specifically for Rennzport by one our overseas partners. Those of you that recently attended the Lord Of The Blings Show in Cape Town would have seen this product at our promotion stand.
KEY FEATURES:
****Lightweight yet stable construction.
****Made from aluminium and available in silver or beautifully black coated. :excited:
****Manufactured using cutting edge CAD technology to ensure optimum fitting accuracy and OEM quality.
****Comes with all hardware needed for installation.
INSTALLATION:
It will take the novice approximately 10 minutes to install the Rennzport Performance Srutbrace. The strutbrace arms fits easily and perfectly over the strut tower. The holes of the strut arms are made for the OEM bolts & nuts to fit tightly and perfectly:
The LEFT side of the brace. You can even fit these bolt head plastic covers for a clean install look. Covers not sold with the Rennzport Performance Strutbrace:
The brace arm fits cleanly and even makes provision for that soft OEM pin::thumbsup:
The Rennzport Performance Strutbrace completely installed on Twinz::thumbsup:
Installation on Revo's car with the stock airbox::thumbsup:
There is at least 1cm clearance between the strutbrace and the airbox. The Rennzport Performance Strutbrace will slightly touch against the foam bonnet cover but will not cause any ratling or thumping. Fortunately, the newer models 2009 upwards do not have bonnet covers and will not have this issue. The bonnet cover can be removed or slightly modified but this I dont think is necessary because the foam bonnet cover will take on the shape of the Strutbrace over time without touching.
Personally, I say get rid of that cover so you can hear those turbos spool up and sing.:thumbsup:
DRIVING EXPERIENCE:
Revo and I had the same reaction after installing the Rennzport Performance Strutbrace.
~ The change in handling can be felt immediately even at slow speeds.
~ The steering feels solid, tight and presice.
~ Cornering has certainly improved as well. :thumbsup::thumbsup: and inspires confidence.
~ Consider doing your wheel alignment after installing the Rennzport Performance Strutbrace or any suspension modification for that matter; to get the best out of the modification in the long term; but this is not a necessity.:thumbsup:
PRICE:
The Rennzport Performance Strutbrace is available right now and retails at R3,700 excluding local shipping. However, the price is subject to change without notice but is determined at the time of your order.
The wait is over!
It is finally available, our own (Rennzport Performance Strutbrace) for the above vehicles. Here is a modification that you can keep on your car for routine dealer servicing, and wil not adversely affect your motorplan.
DEFINITION:
A strutbrace, strutbar or a strut tower brace is the same name for the same thing.
Wikipedia to the rescue again: A strutbrace is designed to "reduce strut tower flex by tying two parallel strut towers together. This transmits the load of each strut tower during cornering via tension and compression of the strut bar which shares the load between both towers and reduces chassis flex."
Hmmmmm...:mmm:....Well to put this more simply, BMWs need some added chassis strengthening in the front to give more "bite" to the front wheels and to improve driving precision. The factory OEM strutbar is not adequate and a weakness in the grand design. Aftermarket strutbraces is meant to strengthen the fairly weak strut tower sheet metal on our BMWs and reduce that "vague" feeling at speeds.
When turning, a car's strut towers normally flex. This may cause the losing of some traction. The strut tower brace distribute the pressure applied to one strut tower when taking a turn on both towers instead of just one and in that way keeps the strut towers from flexing.:thumbsup:
This results in improved chassis rigidity and reduced body roll. Understeer is also reduced, tire wear is improved and metal fatigue is minimized in the strut tower portion.
When you have a lowered and performance suspension such as my Bilstein Ride Control Suspension, a strutbrace will definitely enhance the dampening function and structural support of your vehicle and is a great way to further solidify a vehicle's suspension.
A PICTURE OF STOCK STRUTBAR ON 135/335:
1. The stock strutbar on the 335/135 is made of a single piece of round lightweight aluminium tubing (See picture above), bent in the middle, squashed flat at both ends. A hole is drilled at the flattened end and its attached to the car with one bolt.
2. The stock strutbar goes straight across the strut tower opening, blocking access to one of the adjustable strut adjustment knobs.
3. It also attaches through a single bolt on each tower. It should at least attach all 3 strut top mounting bolts in order to spread the transmitted impact loads across a broad area, for additional strut tower rigidity and integrity.
Some of you may recall that I installed the 135i BMW performance strutbrace on my 335i since BMW Germany does not yet have a strutbrace for the 335i. I am sure the 135i strutbar fits the 135i perfectly for which it was manufactured but I had some challenges trying to make it work on my 335i. :banghead: Initially, the 135 Performance Strutbrace worked fine on my car but caused some issues over time. Here is a picture of the 135i strutbar installed on my car when the engine bay was still sprinkling clean:excited:
1. It did not clear the stock airbox and I tried all sorts of trickery to raise the strut bar but to no avail.
2. Even without the stock airbox in place; using DCIs; I still experienced some play and flexibility on the front wheels due to the shifting bolt rings on the 135i performance strutbrace. I wonder if 135 owners also experience this. :thinker:
3. Tightening the bolts supplied with the 135 Performance Strutbrace caused the aluminium bar to scratch badly and shifts under acceleration.
4. The worse was the nagging knocking of the 135i Performance strutbrace against the airbox when the car was cold.
5. The stock airbox also got badly scratch and no amount of padding could prevent it.
INTRODUCING: THE RENNZPORT PERFORMANCE STRUTBRACE, manufactured specifically for Rennzport by one our overseas partners. Those of you that recently attended the Lord Of The Blings Show in Cape Town would have seen this product at our promotion stand.
KEY FEATURES:
****Lightweight yet stable construction.
****Made from aluminium and available in silver or beautifully black coated. :excited:
****Manufactured using cutting edge CAD technology to ensure optimum fitting accuracy and OEM quality.
****Comes with all hardware needed for installation.
INSTALLATION:
It will take the novice approximately 10 minutes to install the Rennzport Performance Srutbrace. The strutbrace arms fits easily and perfectly over the strut tower. The holes of the strut arms are made for the OEM bolts & nuts to fit tightly and perfectly:
The LEFT side of the brace. You can even fit these bolt head plastic covers for a clean install look. Covers not sold with the Rennzport Performance Strutbrace:
The brace arm fits cleanly and even makes provision for that soft OEM pin::thumbsup:
The Rennzport Performance Strutbrace completely installed on Twinz::thumbsup:
Installation on Revo's car with the stock airbox::thumbsup:
There is at least 1cm clearance between the strutbrace and the airbox. The Rennzport Performance Strutbrace will slightly touch against the foam bonnet cover but will not cause any ratling or thumping. Fortunately, the newer models 2009 upwards do not have bonnet covers and will not have this issue. The bonnet cover can be removed or slightly modified but this I dont think is necessary because the foam bonnet cover will take on the shape of the Strutbrace over time without touching.
Personally, I say get rid of that cover so you can hear those turbos spool up and sing.:thumbsup:
DRIVING EXPERIENCE:
Revo and I had the same reaction after installing the Rennzport Performance Strutbrace.
~ The change in handling can be felt immediately even at slow speeds.
~ The steering feels solid, tight and presice.
~ Cornering has certainly improved as well. :thumbsup::thumbsup: and inspires confidence.
~ Consider doing your wheel alignment after installing the Rennzport Performance Strutbrace or any suspension modification for that matter; to get the best out of the modification in the long term; but this is not a necessity.:thumbsup:
PRICE:
The Rennzport Performance Strutbrace is available right now and retails at R3,700 excluding local shipping. However, the price is subject to change without notice but is determined at the time of your order.
