Strut Bars/Sway Bars - M3 Forum 2010 2009 BMW M3 2008 BMW M3 BMW E90 M3 E92

!Xoible · 03-15-2008, 08:03 PM

I feel like putting a strut bar and probably sway bars if i finally opt to get the car. My questions are:

1. Does the OEM performance front Strut bar made for E92 335's fit the M3?

2. Is there rear strut bar for E92?

3. What are the specs of stock Sway bars? did anyone take them out for aftermarket ones? I am also wondering if the subframe needs dropping in the process of installing the rear sway bar.

It might be too early for those questions, but im hoping some people in Europe have played with the car or heard... etc.

rvacha · 03-15-2008, 08:32 PM

Are they needed? The E9X chassis is a fine chassis, rigid as hell. The front already has a strut bar of sorts anyway - not sure if a traditional strut bar will help much

!Xoible · 03-15-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvacha

Are they needed? The E9X chassis is a fine chassis, rigid as hell. The front already has a strut bar of sorts anyway - not sure if a traditional strut bar will help much

on my 335 sway bars made day and night difference. it was soooo flat it was ridiculous!

as for strut, i heard it makes a huge difference. strut is easy and i'd do it. but if sway bars is as PITA as 335 then im not gonna do it

rvacha · 03-15-2008, 10:11 PM

The M3 "dome strut":

!Xoible · 03-15-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvacha

The M3 "dome strut":

yah i saw those. but you can put a bar across from one side to the other, on top of these. I'm just wondering if the OEM CF bar can be fitted with the V8 engine/hood/vents.

swamp2 · 03-18-2008, 01:57 PM

I doubt many (if any) suspension parts for the 335i will fit the M3. Totally different suspension, of course close but truly totally different. The strut towers are in the same location but clearing the engine is the consideration with regards to a strut brace. Read the after sales training pdf posted here on the forum that shows all of the suspension differences

!Xoible · 03-18-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swamp2

I doubt many (if any) suspension parts for the 335i will fit the M3. Totally different suspension, of course close but truly totally different. The strut towers are in the same location but clearing the engine is the consideration with regards to a strut brace. Read the after sales training pdf posted here on the forum that shows all of the suspension differences

thanks swamp. that was my only concern, clearing the engine. i guess i'll be first to try that when my car comes

!Xoible · 04-04-2008, 07:06 PM

any new info on sway/strut bars??? i really really want sways on this thing

KonigsTiger · 04-10-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mantis

I feel like putting a strut bar and probably sway bars if i finally opt to get the car. My questions are:

1. Does the OEM performance front Strut bar made for E92 335's fit the M3?

2. Is there rear strut bar for E92?

3. What are the specs of stock Sway bars? did anyone take them out for aftermarket ones? I am also wondering if the subframe needs dropping in the process of installing the rear sway bar.

It might be too early for those questions, but im hoping some people in Europe have played with the car or heard... etc.

Mantis, I bought my rear strut bar from ACS and is on its way now.

!Xoible · 04-10-2008, 12:28 PM

and review bro.. how do you like it?
how much? you installed it? if so care to do a small DIY?

thanks man!! that's great

KonigsTiger · 04-10-2008, 12:46 PM

Should have it within the next two weeks. I'll post pics etc... ASAP. Cost about US$599 shipping included.

!Xoible · 04-10-2008, 01:42 PM

not bad, nice man, i be waiting for pix

KonigsTiger · 04-10-2008, 02:07 PM

Sure thing. Will post them and let you know how it drives etc...

UltimateBMW · 04-10-2008, 03:47 PM

Maybe I'm missing something here... but I seem to remember that huge hood bulge... that functional hood bulge...

And then that Airbox that sits promptly right on top of the engine, filling up that familiar hood bulge. I don't really see how there would be any room for a strut to be placed over that. It would have to bend upwards and I think the angle needed would provide room for deflection of the bar itself.

Not to mention it would look awkward.

!Xoible · 04-10-2008, 05:56 PM

look awkward?! least of my concerns.

well that's why BMW performance has some homework to do to fit that thing in there. im sure they will produce something. but from what i remember from engine bay i think they can fit something in there behind the air intake

corbz · 04-11-2008, 06:54 AM

There is no way your going to be able to fit a strut bar between the towers anywhere, there is simply is no clearance all the way back to the firewall, the hood bulge is there for a reason. Next question is why? the e92 as said above is already an exceptionally stiff chassis and the m3 already has a very large 'dome strut' as shown above which connects the struts to the firewall. So even if you could fit one, a strut from one tower to the other would provide negligible benefits at best on this car IMO. Also where the rear strut towers are is already a very stiff and reinforced point of the chassis again imo you wont feel much/any difference, your much better of spending the money on something else.

!Xoible · 04-22-2008, 05:28 PM

after 1 week the car is making creaks as i go down my work's drive way! it's like getting loose or something. i hated that in my 335. WTP deal with that??

i need struts now

ChinoOrtega · 04-22-2008, 05:33 PM

ACS struts are coming, my rear strut which is removable is being installed right now, front strut should be out soon, I'll post pics Wed, or Thursday.

!Xoible · 04-22-2008, 05:34 PM

i want OEM CF ones... if any....

Blip Bavarian · 06-03-2008, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinoOrtega

ACS struts are coming, my rear strut which is removable is being installed right now, front strut should be out soon, I'll post pics Wed, or Thursday.

pics?

KonigsTiger · 06-03-2008, 09:54 AM

My ACS strut is already installed! Works great. I think you will like it!

1clean335i · 08-24-2008, 12:21 PM

Active Autowerke just released a front strut bar for the M3

03-15-2008, 08:03 PM	#1
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,669 iTrader: (4) View !Xoible's Garage	Strut Bars/Sway Bars I feel like putting a strut bar and probably sway bars if i finally opt to get the car. My questions are: 1. Does the OEM performance front Strut bar made for E92 335's fit the M3? 2. Is there rear strut bar for E92? 3. What are the specs of stock Sway bars? did anyone take them out for aftermarket ones? I am also wondering if the subframe needs dropping in the process of installing the rear sway bar. It might be too early for those questions, but im hoping some people in Europe have played with the car or heard... etc.

03-15-2008, 08:32 PM	#2
rvacha Captain Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 745 iTrader: (0) View rvacha's Garage	Are they needed? The E9X chassis is a fine chassis, rigid as hell. The front already has a strut bar of sorts anyway - not sure if a traditional strut bar will help much __________________ '03 X5 4.4i Blue/Tan '06 E90 330Xi 6MT Sparkling Graphite/Terra '08 E92 M3 6MT Jerez/Speed Cloth <-- Evil Twin

03-15-2008, 10:11 PM	#4
rvacha Captain Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 745 iTrader: (0) View rvacha's Garage	The M3 "dome strut": Attached Images __________________ '03 X5 4.4i Blue/Tan '06 E90 330Xi 6MT Sparkling Graphite/Terra '08 E92 M3 6MT Jerez/Speed Cloth <-- Evil Twin

04-10-2008, 12:46 PM	#11
KonigsTiger Racying Dynamics Drives: E92M3 RS46 Club Sport, others Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dweller Posts: 4,412 iTrader: (0)	Should have it within the next two weeks. I'll post pics etc... ASAP. Cost about US$599 shipping included. __________________ ================================================== Last edited by KonigsTiger; 04-10-2008 at 01:06 PM.

04-10-2008, 02:07 PM	#13
KonigsTiger Racying Dynamics Drives: E92M3 RS46 Club Sport, others Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dweller Posts: 4,412 iTrader: (0)	Sure thing. Will post them and let you know how it drives etc... __________________ ==================================================

03-18-2008, 01:57 PM	#6
swamp2 Major General Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego, CA USA Posts: 6,516 iTrader: (1)	I doubt many (if any) suspension parts for the 335i will fit the M3. Totally different suspension, of course close but truly totally different. The strut towers are in the same location but clearing the engine is the consideration with regards to a strut brace. Read the after sales training pdf posted here on the forum that shows all of the suspension differences

04-04-2008, 07:06 PM	#8
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,669 iTrader: (4) View !Xoible's Garage	any new info on sway/strut bars??? i really really want sways on this thing

04-10-2008, 12:28 PM	#10
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,669 iTrader: (4) View !Xoible's Garage	and review bro.. how do you like it? how much? you installed it? if so care to do a small DIY? thanks man!! that's great

04-10-2008, 01:42 PM	#12
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,669 iTrader: (4) View !Xoible's Garage	not bad, nice man, i be waiting for pix

04-10-2008, 03:47 PM	#14
UltimateBMW Colonel Drives: 2001 330ci Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 2,012 iTrader: (0)	Maybe I'm missing something here... but I seem to remember that huge hood bulge... that functional hood bulge... And then that Airbox that sits promptly right on top of the engine, filling up that familiar hood bulge. I don't really see how there would be any room for a strut to be placed over that. It would have to bend upwards and I think the angle needed would provide room for deflection of the bar itself. Not to mention it would look awkward. __________________

04-10-2008, 05:56 PM	#15
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,669 iTrader: (4) View !Xoible's Garage	look awkward?! least of my concerns. well that's why BMW performance has some homework to do to fit that thing in there. im sure they will produce something. but from what i remember from engine bay i think they can fit something in there behind the air intake

04-11-2008, 06:54 AM	#16
corbz New Member Drives: s15 Silvia Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 15 iTrader: (0)	There is no way your going to be able to fit a strut bar between the towers anywhere, there is simply is no clearance all the way back to the firewall, the hood bulge is there for a reason. Next question is why? the e92 as said above is already an exceptionally stiff chassis and the m3 already has a very large 'dome strut' as shown above which connects the struts to the firewall. So even if you could fit one, a strut from one tower to the other would provide negligible benefits at best on this car IMO. Also where the rear strut towers are is already a very stiff and reinforced point of the chassis again imo you wont feel much/any difference, your much better of spending the money on something else.

04-22-2008, 05:28 PM	#17
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,669 iTrader: (4) View !Xoible's Garage	after 1 week the car is making creaks as i go down my work's drive way! it's like getting loose or something. i hated that in my 335. WTP deal with that?? i need struts now

04-22-2008, 05:33 PM	#18
ChinoOrtega Lieutenant Drives: M3 e92 Space Gray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: anywhere, anytime Posts: 462 iTrader: (0)	ACS struts are coming, my rear strut which is removable is being installed right now, front strut should be out soon, I'll post pics Wed, or Thursday.

04-22-2008, 05:34 PM	#19
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,669 iTrader: (4) View !Xoible's Garage	i want OEM CF ones... if any....

06-03-2008, 09:54 AM	#21
KonigsTiger Racying Dynamics Drives: E92M3 RS46 Club Sport, others Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dweller Posts: 4,412 iTrader: (0)	My ACS strut is already installed! Works great. I think you will like it! __________________ ==================================================