Is anyone using the engine strut brace on an M coupe? (accessories<DOT>bmwusa<DOT>com/ItemView.aspx?modelId=238&categoryId=35&productCategoryId=&menuId=0&subItemId=2)

Does it make a noticeable difference in daily driving (cornering)? If so, is it worth the money?

And, by the way, the picture on the BMW website looks nothing like the M engine.

Here's the BMW version in an M Coupe from when we did Performance Center Delivery. Fits so nicely I added one to my M Roadster.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/zuzax/Car/IMG_7550PR.jpg

Nice. Did you notice an improvement (not just a difference) in how it corners?

Thanks.

Seems to slightly reduce understeer when the car is driven very hard compared with the M Roadster I drove at PCD. I don't think you would notice any difference in daily driving.

Just as I suspected.

BTW, I found a thread from February of this year on this topic: forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=691753

Is that OEM? If so, what is the part #? Thanks

OEM? It’s offered by BMW. Go here: accessories<DOT>bmwusa<DOT>com/ItemView.aspx?modelId=238&categoryId=35&productCat egoryId=&menuId=0&subItemId=2 Just replace <DOT> with a period (‘.’).

I don’t have the part number, sorry.

Click this. (http://accessories.bmwusa.com/ItemView.aspx?modelId=238&categoryId=35&productCat%20egoryId=&menuId=0&subItemId=2) Don't pay US$455 though.

I've had it on my car since it was 2 weeks old and I could never tell a difference. The chassis is damn stiff as is...but it looks nice and it must help a little.

i have the STRONG brace. it made a huge difference for me. Reduced body roll & quicker response. Def something noticable right out the box.

I went with StrongStrut and the difference is noticeable (and positive). Plus, imnsho:D - the StrongStrut in black matches the rest of the underhood decor better than the factory chrome piece.

By the way -the September 2007 issue of European Car magazine did a test (timed track laps with and without the strut bar on a Z4MC - and showed better times with the bar in place).

i have the STRONG brace. it made a huge difference for me. Reduced body roll & quicker response. Def something noticable right out the box.

"Reduced body roll"?
Are you thinking of (anti)sway bars?
Sorry, but there's no way a strut bar can do that.

I have the strut brace. Seemed to helped reduce some of the understeer when taking a corner near the limit of grip (something I almost never do anymore but had fun doing alot of when I first bought the car). It mostly adds to the "cool" factor when the hood is opened and you are showing the engine bay off to one of your buddies.