Lower cross brace...after market

[michaele30]

Found this, never saw it before. Anyone try it before?

http://www.bmtown.com/e34.htm

[AHenry014]

thats not the underside of an e34. not sure if its just a generic picture, but thats an e30/e36 from looking at those control arms. most likley essentially the same thing as putting the m3/convert brace on a car. if they make one for an e34, id be interested in real pics of that.

[zubbie]

why bother. No one will see it and how much flex is there down there anyhow.

[MC Hammered]

The unit looks like the one installed in pspassos' M5

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e34-m5-discussion/169093-suspension-upgrade.html

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a134/pspassos/m5/M5%20Project/barrainferior4.jpg

[M Quick]

Funny how they put the add as it is for the e34 but all the pictures show a 3series BMW which isn't even close to the e34.. in looks nor how they are built.

Except the lights which is shown on an e34...

And i can't really see how the brace is that functional, the form it has and how it's built doesn't seem like it would add to the strength, rather follow the chassis on how it "bends" and add weight.. I think it's one of those products that they built just to make money out of people who doesn't know better, but i may be wrong on that :D hehe.. that's just what comes to mind though.

[Binjammin]

From the looks of it, it hangs a couple inches below the bottom level of the subframe. That would be on the ground in most slammed e34s.

[EuroPartConnect]

Did anyone notice these brake rotors on that site? lol
http://www.bmtown.com/imagedata/all/RotorDiscs-5L.JPG

[K Fox]

Hmmm... those brake rotors are...interesting. From a physics standpoint, that's a good idea. They're removing the outer edge of unswept area which in turn reduces weight in the most advantageous area (the outside edge). It follows the same principle of reducing the weight in the wheel/tire combo - less weight = better performance. Brakes aren't as simple in that regard as wheels, though. But one thing I do really like about those rotors is that they're not cross drilled, they're only dimpled. Cross-drilling is a no-no, but dimpling/slotting is fine, and can be useful on a track. With all of this said, I wonder how much thought went into those rotors, or were they simply a copy of what some motorcycles do with their rotors? Either way, it is an interesting design. Awfully expensive though.

Fox

[ChaosHawk]

The brace is a good idea for actual competitive racers, I have seen similar braces installed on mustangs set up for road racing (they really need the help) and it should help to stiffen up the steering geometry if used in conjunction with a good top brace. That said, unless you have all racing bushings and beefed up components, the natural give of a factory suspension will negate any increase in stiffness. Also, any bolt together frame stiffener is a total waste of money: the bolt joints will simply let the flex pass right through the bolt clearances. Any real frame bracing MUST be solid, should be steel, and is preferably welded to the frame. An aluminum brace that has to be bolted together is r.i.c.e. (race inspired cosmetic equipment.)

[ChaosHawk]

wtf is wrong with the server that it posted my reply five times?

Also, as for the rotors, the whole scalloped edge is silly, and gives so many areas for extra induced stress through machining, heat cycling, and crack propagation.