I know the picture is a bit small, but its the only one I could find. When looking at a conv. today while in for service, I noticed that just above the plastic wheel well there was a black frame brace on each side of the car. I'm assuming it's there to stiffen up the conv. frame...but I don't recall anyone attaching one to an S or a cooper. Just wanted to bring it up to start a conversation on a possible stock frame brace.

 

Coop d'etat,

In Y2005 there was a thread on these braces. You'll have to search, I know that I posted.

Attached is a photo of my installation on my Y2003 S. Not sure that the extra braces add in a material way to strut tower stiffness. Not sure why they were included in the Y2005 convertable.

Installation is a challenge. It is necessary to install steel threaded inserts in the frame sheet metal for the strut mounting hardware. Not everyone has the tools necessary.

Regards,
John Petrich in Seattle

 

Awesome! Thanks for the reply...I tried a search, but I wasn't sure what the title of it might be, and alas I didn't find anything. I'll do a new search under your name

Edit: A great read about the topic at hand (as suggested by Petrich) https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=39122

 

My Sept. 30th, 2003 build MY04 MCS had the nut bosses already installed in the chassis, all I had to do was remove the old wiring harness bracket and bolt the braces in, taa daa 5 minutes max.

 

I installed them back in 05 on my S mostly because one of the NAM " experts " said you couldn't get them without having a convertable . Well you can and I did LOL . I can not say if there was much of a change in the feel as I made another change about the same time .The way I look at it is if BMW thinks it helps stiffen the car it was worth the money to me to give it a try .

Randy
M7 tuning.