Strong-Strut front brace installed... - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

bvhbmw · 13th June 2009, 23:21

After owning a Strong-Strut front tower brace for my M-Roadster, I decided to try their brace for my e39 M5. I think this is one of the finest engineered aftermarket products. Unlike other braces, this is CNC machined to precisely fit completely around the top of the shock tower, with recesses in all the right places underneath. It's made from cold-rolled steel and there are no pivot joints anywhere. They only make these type of braces, so they obsess about it. You can find them at www.strong-strut.com. I don't work for them nor have they paid me to promote them - I just like what I got. They charge $485 - not cheap, but I think you get what you pay for. They include the acorn nuts and washers.

ultraman206 · 13th June 2009, 23:28

Looks good. Did you feel any difference in body stiffness?

bvhbmw · 13th June 2009, 23:33

It's easier to tell the difference on an M-Roadster, but I will be "feeling" for differences as I put some miles on the car. I like the fact that it is so rigid you can grab hold of it and shake the car with it! This is not just a cosmetic dress-up, but it does look nice IMHO.

agreenrhino · 14th June 2009, 01:09

+1
Hi BVHBMW! I have this same strut bar and it is fantastic!! Thanks for posting and enjoy....

Need4Spd · 14th June 2009, 08:15

I have one, too, and also knew Strong Strut from previously having one on my (long sold) M Roadster. This is one of the best on the market, IMHO. Not the lightest, but a few extra pounds on this 4000 lb. car really won't make any difference, and the rigidity and strength more than make up for any weight gain. And it looks really good.

gavinbailey · 14th June 2009, 09:00

I recently fitted one of the alloy Strong Struts and I agree that the quality is superb. It also fits perflectly - unlike some of the braces that need some finessing to fit onto the towers. The guys were also really ehlpful with the order getting the product to the UK in record time!

kronos · 14th June 2009, 18:42

What was the biggest difference you felt when you installed it? Does it corner flatter, less body roll, etc? I'm thinking of going with this brace or the racing dynamics one, but I'm leaning toward the strong strut. It looks like a high quality brace and I like the fact that it's made here in the good ol U.S. of A.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Need4Spd

I have one, too, and also knew Strong Strut from previously having one on my (long sold) M Roadster. This is one of the best on the market, IMHO. Not the lightest, but a few extra pounds on this 4000 lb. car really won't make any difference, and the rigidity and strength more than make up for any weight gain. And it looks really good.

bvhbmw · 14th June 2009, 19:04

The main difference I felt on my M-Roadster was much less body flex when going over uneven surfaces. There was no discernible difference in cornering flatness or body roll.

I suggest trying the Strong-Strut. They have a money-back guarantee.

kronos · 14th June 2009, 19:10

Do you feel it was worth the price?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvhbmw

The main difference I felt on my M-Roadster was much less body flex when going over uneven surfaces. There was no discernible difference in cornering flatness or body roll.

I suggest trying the Strong-Strut. They have a money-back guarantee.

bvhbmw · 14th June 2009, 19:31

Back when I bought my '99 M-Roadster, the price of the strut was under $300. Almost 10 years later, his prices have increased but compared to the alternative products I think this is still the best value out there. Nothing else is built to this level of precision, IMHO. Look at the photo of the strut rings and look at the quality of the welds - this is aircraft-level work.