Well it took all of 7 weeks to get the first mod to my new MCS if you dont count the JCW aero kit & r95s . The new JCW strut brace.


sorry about the size i dont now how to make them clickable.

 

Is it worth getting and is it easy 2 put on cause i was wanting 2 get that also thanx

 

Looks nice, and it looks much stronger than the R53's JCW strut brace too. Have you noticed any change in the chassis rigidity or change in NVH?

 

Shiny! I'm also interested to know if it has any noticeable effect. I ordered it hoping it did. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I hope it is more than engine jewelry.

 

I ordered it too. But I did it knowing I would have to traverse 3' potholes every 50 feet of road surface. At least, that is what it seems like in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

I figure a bit more structural integrity cannot hurt.

 

Ya i think i am gonna order one 2 where did u order it from the dealer? or where?

 

VERY NICE!

 

Through the dealer. At the time, I had no clue what was available in the aftermarket.

 

IMO the R53 brace with its full strut base anchor attachments, straight across bar design, and upward bow curvature has the functional edge here. The R56 bar, with no upward bow and a forward facing curvature, appears to be more decorative than functional. It will be interesting to see if the aftermarket patterns after the traditional R53 design...

 

Why do you imagine the curve diminishes the function?

 

It doesn't.

The curve is inline with the angle of the mounts of the brace so any distribution of force is going to be applied evenly across the length, width, and height of the brace.

 

What is involved in installing the JCW Strut Brace? Is it just a matter of unscrewing some nuts, putting it in place, and replacing the nuts? Anything tricky or requiring specail tools?

My dealer wants $120 to install it.

 

How much is the brace itself? I can't convince myself that it's more than ornamental, but looks very cool (which is worth money for sure).

 

Honestly, my critical thinking mind doesn't think that the curved bar will flex at all in aggressive driving. Before the bar flexes, the tires will give. A simple experiment I can think of with my 110% critical attitude is that someone try to puncture a tire's sidewall with one of them bars pushed against your belly. If you have rock hard abs like me, the bar will push thru the stiff sidewall of the runflat tires without flexing. Of course, an average person's abs are not as firm as the sidewall of a runflat tire. I would volunteer to do the experiment but I don't have the bar. If someone mailed me one of those, I could perhaps....

 

It is $275.00.

I need to know what is involved with installation so I can decide whether to install myself, or pay to have the dealer do it.

 

those things are easier than oil change. level 1 (the lowest possible level) on skill level required. You undo the nuts and put the thing on and tighten to spec. with a torque wrench. The front shocks don't move under load when the car is not moving even with the nuts off.

 

Thanks. I figure I'll need to get a torque wrench for changing wheels (will have two sets). Where would I find the torque speck for the nuts?

 

Service manual is your best friend... I don't even have the car yet, so I haven't looked for a service manual. But I am gonna get a Bently manual when it becomes available. For all BMW's it is 16 ft-lb....not much. I would use blue locktite.

 

M7 says to torque those bolts to 25 ft/lbs......although that was for the R53.

 

great mod! i'm definitely going to get one

 

Hmm, 16 ft/lbs., 25 ft/lbs...
I understand the Bently manual for the R56 isn't out yet. I wonder if the dealer would tell me, after I opt not to have them install it?

 

I'm sure the dealer's techs have some sort of official service manual from BMW. I would be very surprised if BMW, or any car maker for that matter didn't make one for each of the cars they make. Whether the dealer's techs actually use it is it, or they impact gun everything to death, is up to debate. Try asking your dealer.