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#1. Re: [E36M3] Don't forget the X brace - from Mdriver13@aol.com
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Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 14:28:02 EDT From: Mdriver13@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] Don't forget the X brace In a message dated 10/7/2007 9:59:16 AM Eastern Daylight Time, M3@cueframe.us writes: Do any of you feel, like me, the factory X brace underneath doubles the frame stiffness the strut bar provides? Not sure I can quantify it, but the x-brace does make the car stiffer -- and you can certainly feel it! Bob Gill 97 ///M3 coupe Philly Region SCCA 2005 / 2006 Philly Region BSP Champion Sponsored by Wheel Collision Center & Rogue Engineering ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
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#2. Re: [E36M3] Strut Brace - from Matt Weimer
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Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 16:52:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Matt Weimer <mjweimer@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Strut Brace Speaking of strut braces, I have a brand new Mason Engineering - steel - adjustable - non-hinged bar for sale. I am asking $200 OBO plus shipping from 47274. For more details see: http://www.masonengineering.net/Subpages/E36.htm Scroll down to the third item for details. Matt Weimer Hoosier Chapter ____________________________________________________________________________________ Check out the hottest 2008 models today at Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html
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#3. RE: [E36M3] Strut Brace - from Ivan Petrov
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Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 17:29:47 -0700 From: "Ivan Petrov" <crazyinp@hotmail.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Strut Brace Really nice, but not going to work for me, there is no way to adjust my shocks with that one. -----Original Message----- From: Dave Hogg [mailto:dhogg1@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 3:59 AM To: E36M3 Subject: RE: [E36M3] Strut Brace Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 06:51:54 -0400 From: "Dave Hogg" <dhogg1@comcast.net> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Strut Brace The UUC Strut Barbarian is AWESOME, and they've started making it again. It's again available now, new from UUC, so they told me at WGI. When my hood's open in the paddock, it's the one thing folks comment on, like "Wow, look at that bar!" No relation to UUC, it's just a great piece. Dave Hogg #20 IS with old, bog-slow driver ************************************************* Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com DIGEST INFORMATION: http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm *************************************************
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#4. Strut Brace - from Mo Karamat
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Date: Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:30:51 -0400 From: Mo Karamat <karamatm@optonline.net> Subject: Strut Brace Ivan, Hello. The only strut braces that are worth anything are the original BMW Motor sport version and the JTD (very similar to the BMW version). Both of these braces do not have any kind of hinge joint at the end. The bar is a threaded at both ends, hence no flex. If it flexes, then the bar is PURE eye candy.. Regards Mo -------------------- 9 -------------------- Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2007 16:44:02 -0700 From: "Ivan Petrov" <crazyinp@hotmail.com> Subject: Strut Brace Ok lets talk about strut brace. Currently I have Dinan, but have been looking at the new RE. Looks much more rigid but in the same time will be a b*(#$ to work on the car and has to be removed every time (not as easy as the dinan). The question is I have been hearing about hinges and heim-joints aren't. I know Dinan is bling but I still don't believe is bad design, please correct me, should I move to something better? Thanks Ivan
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#5. Re: [E36M3] Strut Brace - from David Thomas
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Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 18:51:53 -0700 From: David Thomas <dave@sasdatalink.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Strut Brace On Sunday 07 October 2007 6:38:39 pm Mo Karamat wrote: > Hello. The only strut braces that are worth anything are the original BMW > Motor sport version and the JTD (very similar to the BMW version). Both of > these braces do not have any kind of hinge joint at the end. The bar is a > threaded at both ends, hence no flex. If it flexes, then the bar is PURE > eye candy.. While I agree that most braces are nothing but bling...the two you mention are not the only ones worth using (but they are about the most expensive). The Rouge and UUC braces and a few other non-hinged designs are about as good as you can get without welding in a custom brace that connects to the firewall. Dave
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#6. Re: [E36M3] Don't forget the X brace - from David Thomas
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Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 18:57:12 -0700 From: David Thomas <dave@sasdatalink.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Don't forget the X brace On Sunday 07 October 2007 6:58:39 am Bill Sharp wrote: > Do any of you feel, like me, the factory X brace underneath doubles  > the frame stiffness the strut bar provides? I have a '95 that had the inserts for the x-brace but did not have one installed. When I finally got around to installing the x-brace I noticed a pretty decent improvement...not sure how it compares to running just a upper brace though since I don't run one. Dave
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#7. Removal of Rear Head Rests - from Matt Bader
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Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2007 06:16:57 -0400 From: "Matt Bader" <mbader@exammaster.com> Subject: Removal of Rear Head Rests I know there are posts on this topic in the archives, but I could still use some help. I am trying to remove the rear headrests on my 98 4-door. The Bentley Manual simply tells you to "remove them" when working on rear stereo speakers for instance, but doesn't say how. The posts seem to suggest you just pull REALLY HARD to get them off, then twist out the posts. I have pulled on these hard enough to give me a hernia and pop blood vessels in my head, and they still don't come off. I was thinking of trying to get something underneath them to get some leverage but I don't want to damage the seats or rear deck panel. I seldom have people in the rear seat, and it seems pointless to have them there for my circumstances. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Tia, Matt Bader 98 M3/4 Delaware
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#8. Re: [E36M3] Don't forget the X brace - from Carlos Lopez
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Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2007 08:28:53 -0400 From: "Carlos Lopez" <clopez98m3@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Don't forget the X brace On 10/7/07, David Thomas <dave@sasdatalink.com> wrote: > I have a '95 that had the inserts for the x-brace but did not have one > installed. When I finally got around to installing the x-brace I noticed a > pretty decent improvement...not sure how it compares to running just a upper > brace though since I don't run one. It doesn't compare. At least for me the X-brace improved turn in response on my quite stockish 95 M3. Makes sense it's tying the front sub frame to the chassis. Strut braces are almost pure bling. Speaking of which I have a first gen UUC Strut Barbarian (beefy and non-hinged) that I can let go if anyone is interested, I switched to a BMW Motorsport one and I'm not sure that was a good move. The UUC one can be had for much less money. Carlos 98 M3 threw out the ASC so I could fit the BMW M one. :-)
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#9. Re: [E36M3] XBrace...nice to have - from Marc Plante
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Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2007 08:37:07 -0400 From: "Marc Plante" <marcva@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] XBrace...nice to have It stiffens things up a bit, and it also provides a measure of protection for the oil pan. It's one of very few mods on my car. Marc Plante E36 M3/4/5 80k Shift kit, SRDs, Ellipsoids, XBrace, Eclipse MP3 Deck Vienna, VA
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#10. Re: [E36M3] Removal of Rear Head Rests - from Carlos Lopez
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Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2007 08:50:10 -0400 From: "Carlos Lopez" <clopez98m3@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Removal of Rear Head Rests On 10/8/07, Matt Bader <mbader@exammaster.com> wrote: >I have pulled on these hard enough to give me a hernia and pop blood vessels in >my head, and they still don't come off. Pull harder. :-) Carlos 98 M3 no rear seat (or headrests)