Cross Brace for your E30

[Bearmw]

Eric are you saying that you personally tested the fit of aftermarket sways or "heard" that certain ones will work? If you did test the fit of specific bars can you say which ones or if you heard that certain sways fit without interference can you put me in contact with those who have actually tried various bars with your brace?

I need some more specifics before I purchase another set of sways (I tried the IE 22 front bar already). I am considering options other than the IE 25mm bar because that seems too large for my purpose.

Thanks

[ejnight]

Eric are you saying that you personally tested the fit of aftermarket sways or "heard" that certain ones will work? If you did test the fit of specific bars can you say which ones or if you heard that certain sways fit without interference can you put me in contact with those who have actually tried various bars with your brace?

I need some more specifics before I purchase another set of sways (I tried the IE 22 front bar already). I am considering options other than the IE 25mm bar because that seems too large for my purpose.

Thanks

I have installed braces on a few cars. most all used the 25mm. there was one that had a yellow bar. no name and it fit. I have sold lot of these and the 22mm IE is the only one I have heard of any fitment issues.

[Bearmw]

Thanks man for the reply. My solution is going to be to keep your cross brace and mount my stock vert bar to the strut M3 style and maybe use poly bushings...

[camshaftgsxr]

still 400 for both?

[ejnight]

still 400 for both?

yes:)

[ejnight]

Just finished a run. ready to ship.

[Harvest14]

I have a 1991 325i convertible that is our family toy, and my weekend mechanical hobby. I have spent five years "improving" it. Pretty much everything suspension related is new, with high quality parts; and the tires are new Michelins. I get an unpleasant bumpiness on imperfect pavement. The "bumpy" front end comes and goes, but I'm assuming from my studies on here that it's due to flexing. This is my first convertible. Question: Is this cross brace a remedy for my problem? Will it stiffen the ride so much that I'll be sorry I bought it? Will it reduce the flexing noticeably while keeping it a smooth driving family car?

Thanks

[smooth]

yep, this should reduce the flexing you're feeling.

[Harvest14]

Would a strut brace be just as effective for this purpose?

[smooth]

I doubt it. It's a different kind of flex. The strut brace is to reduce flexing between the strut towers from left to right (drivers side to passenger side). I doubt you get much flexing between them driving in a straight line down the road. The cross brace connects your front clip to the body to reduce flexing at the cowl (the area in front of your firewall). That's likely where you are feeling like it's bumpy while you're driving.

I have both braces.

[ejnight]

I have a 1991 325i convertible that is our family toy, and my weekend mechanical hobby. I have spent five years "improving" it. Pretty much everything suspension related is new, with high quality parts; and the tires are new Michelins. I get an unpleasant bumpiness on imperfect pavement. The "bumpy" front end comes and goes, but I'm assuming from my studies on here that it's due to flexing. This is my first convertible. Question: Is this cross brace a remedy for my problem? Will it stiffen the ride so much that I'll be sorry I bought it? Will it reduce the flexing noticeably while keeping it a smooth driving family car?

Thanks

Hi,

Yes this is what you need and know it will not over stiffen it. I bought my first vert and spent a ton trying to get the bump shake out. just like you have. I then made this and it was the cure I needed. It will let you enjoy al the time and money spend on it.

[Harvest14]

With a cross brace installed, would there still be any significant benefit to also installing a strut tower brace? Do they compliment each other?

[smooth]

Read my post #175. They compliment each other.

[golde30]

this brace seems to cover the front jack point(subframe). Can that metal sheet handle lifting the car? i always jack from subframe so its a concern for me when looking at this product. also, i have had your skidplate on my e30 for years, good stuff.

[ejnight]

this brace seems to cover the front jack point(subframe). Can that metal sheet handle lifting the car? i always jack from subframe so its a concern for me when looking at this product. also, i have had your skidplate on my e30 for years, good stuff.

I don't recommend it.