Dinan Front Strut Tower Brace Installed - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

ATLANTA M5 · 14th April 2007, 06:30

Thought I would share this experience in case anyone comes across this problem with strut braces and the Vorsteiner GTR hood.

I had the Strong Strut front strut tower brace on my M5 until earlier today. I really liked the Strong Strut, it is a wonderful piece but I was having a slight issue with clearance...the top side of it was just barely rubbing or touching the bottom side of my new GTR hood. Yikes!

I got REALLY lucky and there was no damage since it was literally only touching enough to slightly scuff the paint...and I noticed the situation and put self stick temporary pads there as a buffer.

I think the Strong Strut clearance was not an issue with my stock hood because it was snug against the padding insulation on the underneath of the hood. My new GTR hood is carbon fiber underneath with no insulation material like the stock hood.

The Strong Strut could not be adjusted to my satisfaction in terms of clearance...so, I hated to see it go, but it has been replaced with a new Dinan brace which sits just a slight bit lower (maybe about 1/8" or 1/4") so it clears with no rubbing...also, the Dinan brace is brushed aluminum and carbon fiber which everyone knows is right up my alley...and matches the rest of the look in the engine bay.

The beast feels even tighter if anything with the new brace. I had great service today from Ron up at Performing Imports in Alpharetta, GA. He installed the brace himself to his exact standards and was very friendly and helpful as usual.

Oh, and before anyone asks, the Strong Strut brace has already been sold to a local friend and fellow board member.

Blockdoc · 14th April 2007, 06:35

Atlanta M5...cheers to you and your Beast. That hood is truly a work of art. I had not spent much time looking at those until now

Wish I had one!

Cheers,

Brian

TQ2K · 14th April 2007, 07:52

Very nice!

What bulbs are you using for the High beams?

ATLANTA M5 · 14th April 2007, 08:26

Thanks for the kind words.

The high beam bulbs are 55W Bimmian Xenesis.

They are blue colored bulbs with frosted silver tips, you can see in the photo of the front of the car...when off they have a subtle slight blue glow to them in the reflection of the headlight housing, I like the look...adds a little subtle color in there.

FAST 5 · 14th April 2007, 10:52

Garrett,

Picture numer 4 screams of SEX......... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
looking at that pic is almost like looking at hardcore PORN !!!
NICE !

PS Good to know i will not have any issues with my D brace.

wilsodh · 14th April 2007, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATLANTA M5

The high beam bulbs are 55W Bimmian Xenesis.

They are blue colored bulbs with frosted silver tips, you can see in the photo of the front of the car...when off they have a subtle slight blue glow to them in the reflection of the headlight housing, I like the look...adds a little subtle color in there.

Hi Garrett,

Nice photos as usual. Thanks for sharing... always a pleasure!

A few dumb questions -

The 55 Bimmian bulbs - how do they perform compared with OEM? I really hate my OEMs.. they are so weak it is pathetic. Also, what angle eye upgrade did you end up with?

I'm sure it is posted somewhere, but what did you do with your front grills/kidneys? I have black, but they look cheap and 'plasticy'. I think they need a touch more emphasis to be just right.

Thanks.

Dave

ATLANTA M5 · 14th April 2007, 19:24

Thanks!

Sure no problem...actually the 55W Bimmian Xenesis high beam bulbs are better than stock but not much. Since they are just the high beams no big deal though. Wilsodh, they are about the same brightness as stock and actually not nearly as xenon look as I thought they would be when on.

My kidney grille is the stock one, but I took it apart (the surround/rim seperates from the inside/slats) and had my body shop paint the outer surround gloss jet black. I really like the look of the gloss black outer edge and the slats stay the same being black but with the leading edge that nice machined silver look.

I used to have the Bimmian all satin black grilles and I agree they do not look nearly as good as the modified stock setup.

FAST 5, thanks...yeah, just be aware of the clearance situation, might want to double check and be sure your Dinan bar is a little more level with the plenum cover as opposed to being level with the ground if you know what I mean, this will provide more clearance and be a safe bet not to rub the underside of the hood.

Oh, and the angel eyes are the Angel iBright Version 2.

Hope this helps you guys out.

EM5PWR · 15th April 2007, 23:04

So by your first post you said you actually can feel a difference in the two braces. Dinan vs Strong Strut ??

wilsodh · 16th April 2007, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATLANTA M5

My kidney grille is the stock one, but I took it apart (the surround/rim seperates from the inside/slats) and had my body shop paint the outer surround gloss jet black. I really like the look of the gloss black outer edge and the slats stay the same being black but with the leading edge that nice machined silver look.

I used to have the Bimmian all satin black grilles and I agree they do not look nearly as good as the modified stock setup.

Thanks! I think that is the look I'm looking for. So just to be clear.. the slats are unmodified OEM 'silver', while the frames are painted gloss black?

Dave

palantirion · 17th April 2007, 06:43

Looking good!