From digest.v7.n20 Tue Jul 29 16:51:34 1997
From: Larry.Cable_at_Eng.Sun.COM
Date: Tue, 29 Jul 1997 09:23:05 -0700
Subject: Re: Experiences with the BMW M-Sport X-Brace,

        Thanks to Neil Maller and others (on the cc line) I 
        installed my MSport XBrace last night.

        I purchased the brace from Bekkers imports, which in 
        retrospect was a mistake, since although it was $30
        less than Turner Motorsport, it did not come with the
        necessary bolts (which surprise surprise cost about $30),
        so I would recommend TMS as the one-stop shopping source.

        I attempted to get jackstands under the car but failed
        as my stands were about 1" to tall ... but I managed,
        without endangering myself too much to install the 
        brace with the std jack. However I would not recommend
        this I'd use stands!

        The brace is easy to install, it requires a total of 6
        bolts, 4x8mm & 2x10mm (my local BMW dealer was able to
        locate the parts on their microfiche). It took me
        about 30 to 40 minutes.

        Since my M3 is August 95 production it already has the
        mounting point in situ, this I believe is not true of
        some earlier M3's or non Mcar 3 series.

        I started by removing the existing bar just aft of the
        underside of the engine and relocated it back to the 
        mounting points approx 4" futher towards the rear of the
        car.

        Using a box to support the weight of the cross brace while
        under the car I attached it using the 2x10mm bolts to the
        mounting points that the other bar had previously occupied.

        Moving forward I attached the remaining 4x8mm bolts at the
        front, tightening all (being ignorant of the torque specs).

        One problem I had was that dirt had built up in the exposed
        (hitherto unused) mounting locations but copious quantities
        of WD-40 helped there.

        My first experience of the brace commuting into work this
        morning is that the front of the car feels even stiffer
        and sharp turning the car is on rails ... BTW I have a
        Dinan struct tower brace mounted as well.

        For $200 seems like a valubale addition. I'll give more
        feedback later as I gain experience with it!

        Thanks to all digester, who as usual, are a wealth of 
        information and support!

Rgds

• Larry Cable, 95 M3 Avus Blau Lux + many goodies including XBrace

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