Best strut brace that's not 2,000 dollars?

NovaChris · 12-17-2024, 05:48 AM

Any good ones that actually make a difference in feel or will I need to pony up?

ZPD · 12-17-2024, 10:11 AM

I would venture that none of the aftermarket strut braces offer any functional improvement. The CSL brace might offer a difference because it has more mounting points but I would be surprised if you could notice a change in the feel. People change the strut brace for looks. There are better ways to spend $2000 on functional improvements.

rons e92 · 12-17-2024, 10:31 AM

You will not notice a difference unless you have the hood open.

I had the $3k CSL brace on my last G87. I could not feel any difference, but I'm not a professional driver. I'm sure there is some added stiffness near the limit, but I never noticed anything.

Recently I discovered that the CSL brace weighs exactly the same as the stock brace at 7lbs. So there isn't even any weight savings.

Really wrestling with the idea of buying it a second time.

NovaChris · 12-17-2024, 12:06 PM

My suspicions have been confirmed.

Bumpinjeep · 12-17-2024, 12:44 PM

I have the Dinan CF brace. It looks absolutely great. Flows really well with the Dinan intakes and the Dinan engine cover.
The things you will feel after installing one is a lighter wallet and a sense of ooh and ahh when you pop your hood. You will also feel some euphoria at car shows when random people look at it and nod along with you. It looks absolutely amazing.
Not my engine, I still have more parts coming in but here's what it looks like. Also it was less than a grand on Black Friday.

Dave07997S · 12-19-2024, 01:29 AM

Stock

M_Power Rob · 12-19-2024, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

Stock

And if you want it to stand out for looks, have it painted.

JABCAT · 12-19-2024, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

And if you want it to stand out for looks, have it painted.

^^^ This. Thinking of doing mine in M colors (each "arm" one of the colors).

M_Power Rob · 12-19-2024, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABCAT

^^^ This. Thinking of doing mine in M colors (each "arm" one of the colors).

I was thinking of color matching to body color. Already did my calipers to match...

Geighty7 · 12-19-2024, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rons e92

You will not notice a difference unless you have the hood open.

I had the $3k CSL brace on my last G87. I could not feel any difference, but I'm not a professional driver. I'm sure there is some added stiffness near the limit, but I never noticed anything.

Recently I discovered that the CSL brace weighs exactly the same as the stock brace at 7lbs. So there isn't even any weight savings.

Really wrestling with the idea of buying it a second time.

You just saved me 2-3 grand. Thanks dude lol.

Ronin76 · 12-21-2024, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumpinjeep

I have the Dinan CF brace. It looks absolutely great. Flows really well with the Dinan intakes and the Dinan engine cover.
The things you will feel after installing one is a lighter wallet and a sense of ooh and ahh when you pop your hood. You will also feel some euphoria at car shows when random people look at it and nod along with you. It looks absolutely amazing.
Not my engine, I still have more parts coming in but here's what it looks like. Also it was less than a grand on Black Friday.

LOL

JABCAT · 12-22-2024, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

I was thinking of color matching to body color. Already did my calipers to match...

Was also considering this for mine & my wife's X3MC. Purchased a can of Marina Bay Blue from www.automotivetouchup.com for hers. I used paint from them to paint the intake & other parts on my previous Corvette & it matched perfectly. ~$40 for a can of factory-match color & can of automotive clear.

HP Autosport · 12-23-2024, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NovaChris

Any good ones that actually make a difference in feel or will I need to pony up?

What makes you think you need one?

Spend that money elsewhere and get more bang for your money! Please shoot us a PM for parts and quotes.

RussV · 12-25-2024, 02:41 PM

The one BMW German engineers designed

Carefree · 12-25-2024, 03:29 PM

The best is the one you decided not to replace.

techwhiz1 · 12-25-2024, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

Stock

And just keep the hood closed...

12-17-2024, 05:48 AM	#1
NovaChris Private First Class 280 Rep 210 Posts Drives: '23 M3 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Nova VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Ford Explorer [0.00]	Best strut brace that's not 2,000 dollars? Any good ones that actually make a difference in feel or will I need to pony up?
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12-17-2024, 10:11 AM	#2
ZPD First Lieutenant 720 Rep 396 Posts Drives: 2022 M850i GC, 2023 G87 Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I would venture that none of the aftermarket strut braces offer any functional improvement. The CSL brace might offer a difference because it has more mounting points but I would be surprised if you could notice a change in the feel. People change the strut brace for looks. There are better ways to spend $2000 on functional improvements. __________________ 2022 M850i 2023 M2; MCS 3-way coilover, Vorshlag Camber plates, 19" Apex VS-5RS, SPL links, Adro wing, IRL exhaust, Verus Splitter, MAD downpipes, Bootmod3; IG:g87_43
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12-17-2024, 10:31 AM	#3
rons e92 60-130 Enthusiast 2193 Rep 1,098 Posts Drives: G87 M2 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	You will not notice a difference unless you have the hood open. I had the $3k CSL brace on my last G87. I could not feel any difference, but I'm not a professional driver. I'm sure there is some added stiffness near the limit, but I never noticed anything. Recently I discovered that the CSL brace weighs exactly the same as the stock brace at 7lbs. So there isn't even any weight savings. Really wrestling with the idea of buying it a second time.
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12-17-2024, 12:06 PM	#4
NovaChris Private First Class 280 Rep 210 Posts Drives: '23 M3 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Nova VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Ford Explorer [0.00]	My suspicions have been confirmed.
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12-17-2024, 12:44 PM	#5
Bumpinjeep Colonel 6449 Rep 2,645 Posts Drives: 2023 M2 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Redmond, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 M2 [8.33]	I have the Dinan CF brace. It looks absolutely great. Flows really well with the Dinan intakes and the Dinan engine cover. The things you will feel after installing one is a lighter wallet and a sense of ooh and ahh when you pop your hood. You will also feel some euphoria at car shows when random people look at it and nod along with you. It looks absolutely amazing. Not my engine, I still have more parts coming in but here's what it looks like. Also it was less than a grand on Black Friday. __________________ Present BMW: 2023 M2 BSM W/Carbon everything, 6 Speed Past BMWs: 2020 M2C HS Executive, 6 Speed 2017 M3 YMB Executive, 6 Speed, ZCP Everything else: 2024 Wrangler 4Xe 2020 MK 7.5 GTI
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12-19-2024, 01:29 AM	#6
Dave07997S Brigadier General 1462 Rep 4,472 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW M2 Toronto Red 6MT Join Date: May 2009 Location: El Segundo, CA iTrader: (1)	Stock
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12-25-2024, 02:41 PM	#14
RussV Private First Class 172 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW M2 Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	The one BMW German engineers designed
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12-25-2024, 03:29 PM	#15
Carefree Lieutenant Colonel 2611 Rep 1,658 Posts Drives: M240i, M2 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Arizona, New York iTrader: (0)	The best is the one you decided not to replace.
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