Unofficialbmw.com

[zimpwh]

Dear Paul,
The Eisenmann 76mm Racing Catback system finally arrived this
past week. Before installing your butt strut and body brace system, I traded
out the stock exhaust for the Eisenmann. Thanks for the heads-up on these
fine catbacks. Cool sound!...not too loud for my decibel sensitive spouse
(excellent overall fit and finish with neither clearance problems nor
bracket bending with the 76mm tips.) Next to go on were your braces.
As you recommended, I first installed the butt brace with the
rear of the car supported with jack stands and ramps. The rear tires on
ramps allowed the suspension to achieve its near ground level attitude and
gave me a better feel for the butt strut/body brace fit for my particular
1999 M Roadster. I used the 1/2" square spacers above and the 1/4" round
spacers below. There was plenty of clearance for the Eisenmanns. I initially
torqued the custom fastener to 30 ft/lbs, lowered the car, sat in the
driver's seat to fully settle the suspension (I'm 6'2" and 225lbs), and
finally torqued them to 75 ft/lbs (red Loctite used.) Next I elevated the
front of the car supporting it with jack stands and ramps and removed the
X-brace. Some of the bolts and frame threads needed freshening so I ran them
through my Matco tap and die routine. A .38cal brass bore brush was used to
remove the debris from the frame threads. Using my Dremel, I enlarged all
the holes in the X-brace as you suggested. Installation of the X-brace and
frame braces were a snap, and the fit was glove tight. My application did
not require any additional rear spacers on the butt strut.
Next I dropped the top and went for a drive along my favorite
cross-country route (plenty of twists, turns and rolling hills...well out in
the country...plenty of deer to watch out for but no "bears.") I had planned
on a 30 minute run, but returned 3 hrs later with a smile on my face (even
after another $50 fill up.)
I know this is just one man's opinion, but I feel that your
bracing system is the most significant modification I have added to my Z3M,
"bar none." In fact "all of the other mods combined" do not add up to the
"fun factor" increase your brace system provides. My earlier mods include:
Pilot Sport 2 tires, Comforti CAI, Comforti Shark Injector, UUC EVO 3 SS
with shift link, UUC clutch arm bushings and clutch "big" stop, and
Eisenmann Racing catbacks. I rate your struts and braces at an 11 on a scale
of 10 for fit, finish, ease of install, and included instructions. I also
thank you for the time you spent on the phone and in emailing me, but
especially for you "WORLD CLASS" products. Bob Bean Newburgh, IN