The X-brace was engineered into the e46 chassis

 

Wasn't the X-brace designed for the e36 vert? I suppose the chassis of the current vert is rigid enough not to need it, and if the vert doesn't need it then neither would the rest of the e46 model line.

MrMotorwerk, it's been ages since I've seen an under carriage shot of an e46, however I do not recall seeing anything resembling the x-brace underneath the car. :dunno: Or do you mean by saying that it "was engineered in the e46 chassis" that the chassis is sufficiently stiff not to need an x-brace type device? :blink:

 

MrMotorwerk means that the E46 already has a diagonally running under chassis brace. Pull off the lower splash panel and take a look the next time you are under the car.

 

^Cool, thanks. :thumbup: Those Germans think of everything.

 

Here ya go:

http://e46touring.com/gallery/swaybars

 

The rip in the X-brace in the above pic doesn't look so hot.

 

I use to have a 95 e36 m3 and I remember getting the x-brace for it and it really helped firm up the car and handle a bit better, so why does the e46 not have an xbrace? Is there one and I just don't know about it?

Tom

Is this what you are looking for: http://www.m3motorwerks.com/products/description.php/II=94

Pop's up under E46 Suspension equipment.

 

Here ya go:

http://e46touring.com/gallery/swaybars

how come my car doesnt have that? is it standard on all cars?

 

X-Brace?

They should have built a Subframe Brace!!!

 

how come my car doesnt have that? is it standard on all cars?

Some cars have the fabricated brace (tubing and stamped pieces welded together) and some cars have a giant plate which does the same thing. Your car has one or the other.


Ed

 

Is this what you are looking for: http://www.m3motorwerks.com/products/description.php/II=94

Pop's up under E46 Suspension equipment.

Ya, thats the x-brace for the e36, but I don't see one for e46.

Tom

 

Like I said before, either you have the tubular brace

or you have the plate.

Since I'm sure someone with an Xi will ask in a few minutes....

The Xi cannot use either piece because the Xi front subframe is completely different. Is it stiffer or more flexible? I have no idea.

 

you can always put in

a cross strut bar front and back to help stiffen up the suspection i say. and a good set of sway bars to. will help very much..........
bobm3 :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

you can always put in

a cross strut bar front and back to help stiffen up the suspection i say. and a good set of sway bars to. will help very much..........
bobm3 :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

They should have built a Subframe Brace!!!

ROFL :lmao: :lmao:

The Etk pics really clarify. Ed, just for grins, what lookup was that for cars with the tubular brace, and which was it for the stamped/welded affair? (or do they both come up under the same lookup?) Just curious.

 

ROFL :lmao: :lmao:

The Etk pics really clarify. Ed, just for grins, what lookup was that for cars with the tubular brace, and which was it for the stamped/welded affair? (or do they both come up under the same lookup?) Just curious.

The tubular brace is on earlier cars (<2001?) and the plate is on later cars. I think I looked at a 99 328 and a 2002 330. My 9/00 build 2001 325it has the tubular brace.




Ed

 

which one is better??? i have the tubular brace...

 

Interesting. I have a 2001 330Ci (production 10/00) which has the reinforcement plate.

 

From an engineering perspective, the plate is better for torsional stiffness. In the real world, I'm sure the difference is negligible. The tubular brace provides for easier access to the underside but the plate is about 1lb lighter. The tubular brace has a beefy jacking point of the front portion which is a huge advantage in my opinion.


EDIT: It appears that the changover from tubular to plate reinforcement is around 2/01. Later cars have the plate.

 

Interesting. I have a 2001 330Ci (production 10/00) which has the reinforcement plate.

i have same production date 10/00 and have the bar...very interesting

 

It appears that BMW AG used parts from whatever box of junk they could find in the warehouse. I think there is zero functional difference bewteen the two pieces except for the jacking point hockey puck on the tubular piece.

 

Like I said before, either you have the tubular brace

or you have the plate.

Since I'm sure someone with an Xi will ask in a few minutes....

The Xi cannot use either piece because the Xi front subframe is completely different. Is it stiffer or more flexible? I have no idea.

intresting, i dont have either one, however i do see the hole's where its supposed to be screwed into, i guess it's missing.