Strong Butt Strutt (for e30 convertibles)

[Jon '92 325ic]

Bought one of these used. Had heard about them forever but was skeptical and retail was $355. So I found a guy on another forum selling a Z3 that had one installed and offered him $200 for it. (The e30 butt strut is interchangeable with the Z3). I've seen them on eBay occassionally going for about $250 as well.

The item does exactly as advertised. I was running a completely stock suspension before I added it. (Installation is a no brainer and shouldn't take you more than 15-20 minutes). Adding the Butt Strut significantly decreased the amount of lean on the car whenever I turn. So I guess it's like putting on beefier sway bars but less expensive and alot easier installation. An added benefit is less cowl shake. As you convertible owners know, our cars tend to vibrate a little more than hardtops when going over any type of bump. Vibration will greatly decrease after you install the butt strut.

Nothing but positive things to say about this product. The only negative is that you'll have to be a little bit more conscious about clearance issues if you install it as the bar is about an 1" to 1.5" lower than whatever you've got haning down below currently. So far this hasn't been a problem for me at all, but you guys running lower suspensions will definetly want to take this into considerations.

Couple of other comments: I don't think it would be worth the $355 retail price. $250 is a good price for it considering it's an alternative to beefier sway bars. But then every one has their own budgets I guess. The other thing is that this review is based on installation on a convertible only. If you've got a hard top, I doubt the butt strut would do you any good. Before I purchased mine I asked a few guys who had them what they thought about it. The only person that said it was a waste of money installed it on a hard top.

For more infor on this product check out: www.strongstrut.com

No affiliation with these guys. Just an e30 enthusiast sharing some good news for my fellow convertible owners.

Jon

[e30Matt]

Just want to add a comment... I had one of these on my 318is, and with M3 springs it really helped tie the rear end in in corners. The rear suspension definitely reacted more as a whole at turn-in, and the car felt much more planted. I had to remove mine due to ground clearance issues after I put the GCs on, though.

My friend Carl now runs it on his ///M Coupe, and he says it makes a world of difference.

[BS87]

For 355$ it looks like something you can fab up if you have the skills.

[Saul325is]

For 355$ it looks like something you can fab up if you have the skills.

I agree. I can probably fab that up today in engineering, if I get the exact specifications

[e30sd]

For 355$ it looks like something you can fab up if you have the skills.

I agree. I can probably fab that up today in engineering, if I get the exact specifications

bullshit son

[BS87]

For 355$ it looks like something you can fab up if you have the skills.

I agree. I can probably fab that up today in engineering, if I get the exact specifications

I doubt you could fab up exact copies. But you could get something close that probably does almost the same thing.

[nickmp0wer]

it seems like one woudl be pretty easy to make, and mayb square tubing could even be used

[Saul325is]

For 355$ it looks like something you can fab up if you have the skills.

I agree. I can probably fab that up today in engineering, if I get the exact specifications

I doubt you could fab up exact copies. But you could get something close that probably does almost the same thing.

I never said exact copies, give me exact specifications and I could probably make somthing similar.

-Saul[/i]

[Thomas H]

I really don't see how it works, A friend of mine purchased one for his 325e and I could not tell any difference before or after. Then again his car has new subframe bushings

[Jon '92 325ic]

I really don't see how it works, A friend of mine purchased one for his 325e and I could not tell any difference before or after. Then again his car has new subframe bushings

Probably wouldn't notice much of a difference on a hard top. These are made for convertibles which aren't able to accommodate a rear strut bar because of the top compartments.

[Thomas H]

I really don't see how it works, A friend of mine purchased one for his 325e and I could not tell any difference before or after. Then again his car has new subframe bushings

Probably wouldn't notice much of a difference on a hard top. These are made for convertibles which aren't able to accommodate a rear strut bar because of the top compartments.

I think upper “shock bars” are a waste of money, I might believe they do something if a spring was mounted along with a shock in the same location. My VW GTi rear strut bars did something.

[ilia]

bullshit son

Bullshit? Drill some holes at length, get a bender, bend the strip at length, call it a day. Anyone who says that can't be made hasn't worked in a machine shop.

[golde30]

I really don't see how it works, A friend of mine purchased one for his 325e and I could not tell any difference before or after. Then again his car has new subframe bushings

Probably wouldn't notice much of a difference on a hard top. These are made for convertibles which aren't able to accommodate a rear strut bar because of the top compartments.

I think upper “shock bars” are a waste of money, I might believe they do something if a spring was mounted along with a shock in the same location. My VW GTi rear strut bars did something.

my rear strut bar definately made a difference. the rear end has less lean on hard turns. maybe u dont drive your car hard enough to notice a difference? ;)

[GaryE30]

For 355$ it looks like something you can fab up if you have the skills.

I agree. I can probably fab that up today in engineering, if I get the exact specifications

Absolutely, CAD program, machine shop, ... TADA.

[MattE30]

my rear strut bar definately made a difference. the rear end has less lean on hard turns. maybe u dont drive your car hard enough to notice a difference? ;)

What springs are you running?