BMW Performance Aluminum Strut Bar - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

1Pirate · 09-12-2011, 08:44 AM

I recently purchased a BMW Performance aluminum strut bar from a BMW dealer off eBay for $200. I had seen it in the BMW Performance catalog. It was easy to install and it ties into the OEM partial strut bar. The strut bar mounts are nice aluminum pieces. It is not a bad mod for $200 and I think it certainly should help tie the strut towers together.

Here are some pictures.

Eddie135 · 09-12-2011, 08:49 AM

Do you have the ebay link website where you bought this strut bar?

Thanks.

Harlequin · 09-12-2011, 09:06 AM

Every single one of these listings I see state that it doesn't fit the 135 - obviously it does... What's the deal?

1Pirate · 09-12-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie135

Do you have the ebay link website where you bought this strut bar?

Thanks.

Here is a link for an eBay listing for the same item from the same vendor. http://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-1-Series-all-Front-Suspenstion-Brace-/330316804950?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &hash=item4ce86a7356

ilikebmxbikes · 09-12-2011, 10:57 AM

does the strut bar touch the top of your intake housing at all?

1Pirate · 09-12-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

does the strut bar touch the top of your intake housing at all?

No, but it is a very tight fit where the intake housing slopes up in the middle of the engine bay.

zamboni · 04-21-2012, 01:45 AM

Just pick up this item from eBay for $120 brand new.

_Ryan_ · 04-21-2012, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zamboni

Just pick up this item from eBay for $120 brand new.

From a store or a one off?
For that price I will grab one!

tracer bullet · 04-21-2012, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zamboni

Just pick up this item from eBay for $120 brand new.

That's great but not particularly helpful!

Everfly · 04-21-2012, 11:26 AM

For $200 it's great deal, I think it should come standard when you pay $40K plus for the 135i

Dackelone · 04-21-2012, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harlequin

Every single one of these listings I see state that it doesn't fit the 135 - obviously it does... What's the deal?

The engine CAN move around quite a bit! Remember those threads where the polly ribbed belt broke due to the crankshaft pulley bottoming out on the frame. Well... I think IF you did a "hard launch" or got some "axle hop" with one of these strut bars on your car... you'd break the air filter box or valve cover(plastic trim) peice or worse your hood. ?

I am just saying there IS a reason why BMW says not to use this bar on a 135i and only a 128i.

tracer bullet · 04-21-2012, 09:32 PM

I just realized I don't remember seeing discussion on "solid" motor mounts for our cars yet. If it's been talked about, I missed it.

It seems to be a common thing on other platforms, I've done it on my last 2 cars.

Bimmer-Bob · 04-21-2012, 09:51 PM

I've heard of people going for stiffer motor mounts, but never solid (metal) motor mounts on a street car. That's more of a race car thing. Doesn't it introduce a ton of vibration in the cabin?

tracer bullet · 04-22-2012, 08:44 AM

Yeah by solid I mean polyurethane not metal, sorry.

In my experience you feel the extra vibration in the shifter but that's all. It's all over the place, of course, but I've never been sensitive enough to feel it anywhere else. That could just be me.

As with almost all performance parts it's a trade-off. They wouldn't be for everyone, but plenty of people would be glad to install them.

1Pirate · 04-23-2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I am just saying there IS a reason why BMW says not to use this bar on a 135i and only a 128i.

That's interesting because the dealership I purchased my strut bar from advertised that it does fit the 135i. At least at the time I purchased it.

Incidently I've had no issues with mine.

Dackelone · 04-23-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

I just realized I don't remember seeing discussion on "solid" motor mounts for our cars yet. If it's been talked about, I missed it.

It seems to be a common thing on other platforms, I've done it on my last 2 cars.

Not a thread on motor mounts... but rather trans mounts... Btw... BMW M3(shifter) ones were better than solid/urethane mounts.

Anyone fitted e46 M3 transmission mounts?
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ans+mounts+uuc

Dackelone · 04-23-2012, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Pirate

That's interesting because the dealership I purchased my strut bar from advertised that it does fit the 135i. At least at the time I purchased it.

Incidently I've had no issues with mine.

Dealer is different than manufacture. It is BMW who tests the parts and says what cars it fits - not the other way around.

It will be interesting (IF) anything fails IF that dealer of yours would stand behind their part. ?

zamboni · 05-01-2012, 02:15 PM

Just got it installed this AM and you could felt the front is a bit more solid when you did a sharp turn.

09-12-2011, 08:44 AM	#1
1Pirate Lieutenant Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 416 iTrader: (1)	BMW Performance Aluminum Strut Bar I recently purchased a BMW Performance aluminum strut bar from a BMW dealer off eBay for $200. I had seen it in the BMW Performance catalog. It was easy to install and it ties into the OEM partial strut bar. The strut bar mounts are nice aluminum pieces. It is not a bad mod for $200 and I think it certainly should help tie the strut towers together. Here are some pictures. __________________ 2009 BMW LeMans Blue 135i/Dinan Stage 2 software upgrade/Alufelgen SF-71s/M3 suspension pieces/Koni Sport adjustable dampers/ETS FMIC
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09-12-2011, 09:06 AM	#3
Harlequin Colonel Drives: '11 BMW 135i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brisbane, Australia BMW Club QLD Member Posts: 2,532 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i M Sport [4.58]	Every single one of these listings I see state that it doesn't fit the 135 - obviously it does... What's the deal? __________________ AW3 135i \| BMW Performance: 313 Rims, Exhaust, Diffuser, Spoiler, Grills & Pedals \| DCT \| BMS CAI \| Eibach Pro Kit \| M3 Swaybar \| P3 Vent Gauge \| M3 Steering Wheel ///M Mirrors \| Kerscher Splitter \| LUX V3 \| Blackline LCI Tails \| Octane Tint \| Alpine Hi-Fi \| JL Audio 10W6v2 \| Pioneer Amp \| Black Roof

04-21-2012, 01:45 AM	#7
zamboni I want to drive a Zamboni Drives: 09 E82 128i 13 E93 M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monte Sereno, CA Posts: 2,480 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	Just pick up this item from eBay for $120 brand new. __________________ 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red DCT/Premium/EDC/NAV/220M wheel 12 E93 Space Gray ( Retired BMW buy back ) 09 E82 Space Gray/Black int/Steps/Sport/Nav/Premium/Xenon/Phone Int/Hifi/269 wheel 2006 E90 ( sold ) My next vehicle would be a Zamboni

04-21-2012, 11:26 AM	#10
Everfly Major Drives: 2012 135i M sport. Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San jose CA Posts: 1,205 iTrader: (19)	For $200 it's great deal, I think it should come standard when you pay $40K plus for the 135i __________________ http://i.imgur.com/cshATjg.png

04-21-2012, 09:51 PM	#13
Bimmer-Bob ! Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,964 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 BMW 128i [5.00] 2012 Ford Focus SE ... [0.00]	I've heard of people going for stiffer motor mounts, but never solid (metal) motor mounts on a street car. That's more of a race car thing. Doesn't it introduce a ton of vibration in the cabin? __________________

09-12-2011, 08:49 AM	#2
Eddie135 N55 Commando Drives: 135i - DCT - N55 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 626 iTrader: (0)	Do you have the ebay link website where you bought this strut bar? Thanks.

09-12-2011, 10:57 AM	#5
ilikebmxbikes Major Drives: '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,436 iTrader: (19)	does the strut bar touch the top of your intake housing at all?

04-21-2012, 09:32 PM	#12
tracer bullet Captain Drives: '11 135i - AW w/ TC Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 613 iTrader: (1)	I just realized I don't remember seeing discussion on "solid" motor mounts for our cars yet. If it's been talked about, I missed it. It seems to be a common thing on other platforms, I've done it on my last 2 cars.

04-22-2012, 08:44 AM	#14
tracer bullet Captain Drives: '11 135i - AW w/ TC Join Date: May 2011 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 613 iTrader: (1)	Yeah by solid I mean polyurethane not metal, sorry. In my experience you feel the extra vibration in the shifter but that's all. It's all over the place, of course, but I've never been sensitive enough to feel it anywhere else. That could just be me. As with almost all performance parts it's a trade-off. They wouldn't be for everyone, but plenty of people would be glad to install them.

05-01-2012, 02:15 PM	#18
zamboni I want to drive a Zamboni Drives: 09 E82 128i 13 E93 M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monte Sereno, CA Posts: 2,480 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	Just got it installed this AM and you could felt the front is a bit more solid when you did a sharp turn. __________________ 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red DCT/Premium/EDC/NAV/220M wheel 12 E93 Space Gray ( Retired BMW buy back ) 09 E82 Space Gray/Black int/Steps/Sport/Nav/Premium/Xenon/Phone Int/Hifi/269 wheel 2006 E90 ( sold ) My next vehicle would be a Zamboni

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