[PLF69]

Originally Posted by helmet91

Thanks for the write-up PLF69 . What anti-rust spray did you use?

larrylam646, did you ever do the install? What tap did you use? I don't have a tap set and I really don't want to buy a whole set. LOL

Thanks guys.

I always have a bottle of Krown around but copper anti-seize would also be a good idea.

[Moonbags]

Has anybody done this on a non-adaptive suspension model? I love the way my car drives until I'm really getting on it in the twisties, and then I'm craving a slight reduction in chassis flex. But I worry that braces would harshen the everyday ride feel too much.

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by Moonbags

Has anybody done this on a non-adaptive suspension model? I love the way my car drives until I'm really getting on it in the twisties, and then I'm craving a slight reduction in chassis flex. But I worry that braces would harshen the everyday ride feel too much.

I can't speak for non adaptative on the M340i but I can tell you the story of the M2 Competition. When it was first released there was a raging discussion on the forums about how the suspension was changed to make the car more compliant but nobody could find any evidence of it in the part numbers.

After tons of research it was determined that the only difference between the Original M2 and the M2 Competition was the aluminum/carbon front brace (from M3/4) + additional weight from the S55 engine, some retrofited the brace to there OG M2 and confirmed the car became a bit more compliant and the suspension seemed to do a better job in every condition.

I think manufacturers sometimes engineer a chassis in a way and afterwards remove some bracing to a satisfactory performance to make some savings, may not be much on one car but on 100 000's on the production run it scales pretty fast.

Hope this helps

[helmet91]

Done!

I love a nice OEM+ upgrade. Thanks to those that figured this one out.

[ergarza]

Originally Posted by helmet91

Done!

I love a nice OEM+ upgrade. Thanks to those that figured this one out.

Did you feel any difference after installing them? I am also interested in this change for my m340

[helmet91]

I honestly couldn't say at this point. I've only driven on city streets so far.

Headed to the Nürburgring next weekend though…

[helmet91]

The engine bracing definitely makes the front end of the car seem more put together. Hard to explain really…. I guess everything feels more precise overall.

I've done a bunch of driving around town on old bumpy bricks with no adverse effects.

I've also done some Autobahn runs AND few laps of the Nürburgring. The car felt great!!

[Bee Pee]

who's going to be the 1st to add -1deg camber correction hubs to their g2x front axle, aka another oem+ upgrade, to help the front end grip/feel/response ?

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by Bee Pee

who's going to be the 1st to add -1deg camber correction hubs to their g2x front axle, aka another oem+ upgrade, to help the front end grip/feel/response ?

There's more chance I'd go with M3 lower control arms first. Easier swap.

I am just waiting for someone to have an alignment done on there Xdrive M3 to see the specs since the lower control arm is different between RWD and AWD M3/4.

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by PLF69

There's more chance I'd go with M3 lower control arms first. Easier swap.

I am just waiting for someone to have an alignment done on there Xdrive M3 to see the specs since the lower control arm is different between RWD and AWD M3/4.

longer LCA swap from m3 didn't work on f3x AWD as front driveshafts couldn't cope with wider track.

Why would g2x AWD be any different?

[VipinLJ]

Originally Posted by Bee Pee

who's going to be the 1st to add -1deg camber correction hubs to their g2x front axle, aka another oem+ upgrade, to help the front end grip/feel/response ?

Interesting....

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by Bee Pee

longer LCA swap from m3 didn't work on f3x AWD as front driveshafts couldn't cope with wider track.

Why would g2x AWD be any different?

Indeed I wasn't aware of this but someone pointed this in another thread wich made me do some research on the subject.

I did have offset bushings on my M235i wich netted around -2 of camber and never had a problem but a long arm could be different in the strain it produces on the axle.

I guess it's back to waiting for camber plates.

[helmet91]

I think I might get the braces powder-coated black, probably the radiator cover or whatever that thing is called too. The shiny silver is too much.

[seccsc]

Originally Posted by PLF69

I have done this install last week with all OEM parts, it is really straight forward if you follow the procedure posted in this thread. The longest part is tapping the threads but its still not very hard. Sorry I did not check what tap I used, I only matched it with the bolt and went to do it. I sprayed some ani-rust in the bolt holes before threading the bolts.

Impressions: To me the suspension seems more compliant in a way that it seems to do more work than before, less chassis resonance/flexing occurs. Steering seems a touch more precise mostly in sport modes.

I would highly recomend this mod as the price is pretty cheap, If you want to save money you can buy only the 2 aluminium parts and use bolts and nuts at the front to secure them but I wanted the OEM look and convenience when you need to remove them.

I ordered some Dinan monoballs for the front control arms, combined with the brace the car should get a significant bump in steering feel and precision.

Thank you for the pictures. What size of tap did you use? None of the posts discuss the tap size. Thank you!

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by PLF69

I did have offset bushings on my M235i wich netted around -2 of camber and never had a problem but a long arm could be different in the strain it produces on the axle.

Offset bushes in LCA achieve the same as longer LCA's ie more camber/caster and track so surely issues for front driveshafts will be the same ?

[PLF69]

Well I even did a few track days without issues in a 2015 M235i Xdrive before I traded the car for an M2.

Anyhow this thread is about the engine brace wich we can conclude is a nice cheap upgrade for the M340i

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by PLF69

Well I even did a few track days without issues in a 2015 M235i Xdrive before I traded the car for an M2.

Anyhow this thread is about the engine brace wich we can conclude is a nice cheap upgrade for the M340i

This looks like easy DIY for 330i too. I do wonder why factory does not have same part# with predrilled bolt thread for all cars.

[onneb]

Originally Posted by larrylam646

I would recommend you use a thread tap to cut the bolt threads into the strut tower mount. I do not know the thread pitch at this time but I will update my post once I received the parts (in early Apr).

If you do install these parts, do not forget about the 4 bolts (#10) that attach the front brace (#1). These bolts are noted as single use only - 07147270121

I tapped the threats it’s a regular M10 bolt thread 1.5.

[onneb]

Originally Posted by Steve_Jr

The parts from M440i

It’s cheaper than others (under $150)

Front brace : 51648491817
Strut : 51617456115 2EA
Bolt (M1045) : 51716966566 4EA

* Bolt tighten torque : 56Nm

.

Thanks a lot for this super mod Steve! Next Wednesday I’ll install it. Local BMW dealer was very interested in this m440i-meets-m340i mod :-). (M10 is with 1.5 thread)

[onneb]

Originally Posted by onneb

Thanks a lot for this super mod Steve! Next Wednesday I’ll install it. Local BMW dealer was very interested in this m440i-meets-m340i mod :-). (M10 is with 1.5 thread)

Preparations: Thread for the M10 (1.5)

[TheJerseyDon]

Does anyone have the TQ specs for #10 bolts (front cross member)?

[larrylam646]

Originally Posted by TheJerseyDon

Does anyone have the TQ specs for #10 bolts (front cross member)?

The M10x20 are stretch bolts - 56Nm + 90 deg rotation. Attached is the reference from ISTA+.