Z3 Strut Brace Fitted then removed

[Antm72]

I have the same one on mine as Ant's but it definitely not an AC Schnitzer one. It pretty much touches the DISA valve, had to make a slight modification to it to get it to clear.

I think mine is Cosmo Racing it had a placque stuck on it if i remember correctly

 

[Nodzed]

Stupid question time.
They look great but those who run them, does it make a noticeable difference. I know it's supposed to make the front end stiffer

Had one one the M and was impressed, that was until she had a full suspension / bush replacement then it was horrid, so off it came and the ride handling was improved, I think when the suspension was tired it helped, after I wasn't impressed. Just a personal observation.

 

[t-tony]

A fair comment Niall and often it's said that these things can mask other ussues.

Tony.

 

[hard top]

other ussues.

Would not know how to mask them to be honest mate ....

 

[t-tony]

Masking tape.?

Tony.

 

[Rha]

I think it's shaped like that to fit the 1.9 litre engine! I would think not as torsionally rigid as a straight one, what with all those bolted connections.

Bonzo.

Made especially for the Six Pot Z3 variants with some exceptions being where the ASC is mounted.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

At the risk of having abuse hurled in my direction, just what is the point of the rear braces that link the rear damper top mounts? Can't see the point, and would like to know if there is one.

 

[t-tony]

Apparently these body shells also flex there mate and these struts stop it happening.

Tony.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

I realise these things have less torsional rigidity than the lemon tart I made last night, but didn't know they're that bad.

 

[Rha]

At the risk of having abuse hurled in my direction, just what is the point of the rear braces that link the rear damper top mounts? Can't see the point, and would like to know if there is one.

Also helps reinforces the top of the tower which have been known to fail. (Jobs a good un) Can be mounted under the carpet but makes a slight bulge. All these mods @the Nefyn cat are not really necessary if the owner is happy how his sports car handles, they're quite capable cars out the bag but not good enough for owners like me. It's all a matter of how you perceive what you want from a vehicle, each to his own, I don't look at anyone else's Z and think it should be modded, a Z is what it is in my eyes, a damn nice little car. No abuse from this quarter.

Roy.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Nothing wrong with modifying, said the bloke with a nice long list of declared mods, just couldn't see the point of the rear brace. Quite happy without a front one, fitting the Powerflex bushes made a hell of a difference and can't feel much in the way of flex in the front end. If I wanted a properly stiff car I'd have gone for a two-door coupe. Hmmm. Just like my e46 330i.

 

[Rha]

Nothing wrong with modifying, said the bloke with a nice long list of declared mods, just couldn't see the point of the rear brace. Quite happy without a front one, fitting the Powerflex bushes made a hell of a difference and can't feel much in the way of flex in the front end. If I wanted a properly stiff car I'd have gone for a two-door coupe. Hmmm. Just like my e46 330i.

Note a bit of sarcasm there Nefyn. Not really called for.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Nope, no sarcasm there. Can't expect too much in the way of stiffness from a convertible, once upon a time I had an Austin Healey and that really was floppy compared to the Z3. And the 330 coupe is definitely somewhat stiffer than my Z, to be expected, really.

 

[Rha]

Nope, no sarcasm there. Can't expect too much in the way of stiffness from a convertible, once upon a time I had an Austin Healey and that really was floppy compared to the Z3. And the 330 coupe is definitely somewhat stiffer than my Z, to be expected, really.

Austin Healey is still a very notable sports car, had a ride in a 3000 at 14 and it was my favourite car for years. Would have one tomorrow if I could afford it.

 

[Bonzeau]

Surely the rear top brace locks onto the shock absorber mounts. Cannot see how that is going to alter ride/handling because of that.

Bonzo.

 

[hard top]

Just another bit of bling Bonzeau ....

 

[Alan Slade]

Just an update. The strut brace vendors paid the return postage and it was collected by a courier on 22nd March. Today they credited my PayPal account with the full purchase price. Very good result! Can't fault them, they were really apologetic.

 

[Alan Slade]

As a post script to this thread. I bought a second hand strut brace that I saw for sale on eBay. It arrived today, I gave it a bit of a polish, rather, quite a bit of a polish and fitted it. The bonus is :- This time I can close the bonnet with the strut brace fitted and it was cheaper than the other one.

 

[Althulas]

Glad you found one to fit your polishing complements your tidy engine bay.

 

[Bonzeau]

That's an ASC strut brace, same as mine!