[QUOTE]Originally posted by vroom
Is this a 'bling' thing (no insult intended)?

 

Well that's why I asked. Some people mod for the sake of it then pop the hood etc to show it off.

I agree with the added rigidity over time. My M3 has both front and rear braces even though every tuner out there thinks they are not worth it - but i put 'em on after I retired the car from autocrossing (rules) at >100K and only when I could get non hinged versions.

The model showed appears to have hinges that would allow vertical movement. Based on the word of a number of tuners (and just looking at any race car with braces) they all claim that a brace has to be solid and not hinged.

When adding my Konis this spring, I got pretty intimate with that part of the car - sure doesn't seem to need additional bracing. I haven't tracked it yet, but it's now on it's 3rd year of auto-xing (approx 20 events per year, 6 - 8 runs per event) and some o' the worst streets you can find in between as I drive frequently in Manhattan. The rear is just as tight at 28K as at 11miles new from the dealer.

Are you saying that the track loosens up the rear of this car? My M (e36 not newer e46) showed no sign of loosening up and it had a really hard first 80K which included its fair share of track days sans braces.

Hey - whatever works

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by vroom
I was just asking if the poster knew what they wanted it for.

 

i was planing on buying one in the future anyway, but now after installing my mugen bumper and having to remove my Spoon x-brace i am for sure going to add a rear stb. i was the car as stiff as possible all over.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Guedo512

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ACLR8
Does anyone actually keep their spare tire in??

 

I have the cusco bar.. The cusco strut bar doesn't seem like it will do much.. It goes in place of the stock strut bar and it seems like it's attachs to two weak metal areas.. not over the struts.. this alex bar or wutever seems more effective..