Anyone got any advice on how to go about cutting away the soundproofing material under the hood on a 2005 S so it clears the M7 strut brace? Like figuring exactly where to cut, how deep, & with what tool(s)? I want to make it as neat & clean as possible with the minimum amount of soundproof material removal.

I hadn't planned on doing this because I didn’t read the following on the M7 website until after I saw that had a clearance problem "modification-free installation for 2002-2003, and minor soundproof cutting for later cars."

Thanks!
danny

 

The best way to do this is to install the bar normally and keep the hood closed on it for a while. Some can get away with the 'soak and slam' deal, but some of the newer insulation is just too thick. Best way that I can think of handling that is to remove the insulation and cut away a portion of the thickness from the top using the impressions made by the bar as a guide. Thin out the insulation about an inch away from where the bar left the impression. Advantage of this is that it wont look hacked up from below, and it wont get frayed and droop over time.

 

Hey thanks for the advice Greatbear!

I did it that way & it worked out great!

 

I installed one about a month ago and repeated the the "soak & slam" method several times over the first week. Everything fits fine now.

 

Is the way to go

Worked great for me as well.

I can see the last part of the instructions saying-

Perform the S&S for a custom fit of the strut bar to the bonnet liner.