E36/E46/E9X Front Strut Tower Reinforcement Plates

A must have for performance driven E36/E46/E9X 3 Series!

We are now offering E36/E46/E9X specific strut mount reinforcement plates to reduce the chances for strut housing and mount "mushrooming" and increases the car's strength when using performance oriented spring and/or struts. We highly suggest these plates with use of aftermarket performance suspension kits.

With every new 3 Series model, the BMW engineers have increased their concern for saving weight (and cost) in every location possible to compensate for the added weight (and cost) of modern safety, luxury, and technology features. With computer aided load and fatigue programs (starting with the E36), BMW tried to create a light chassis that can withstand the loads of the stock suspension without deformity or flex throughout the cars life cycle*. With this type of production technology, BMW can make the material as thin as possible to meet the projected fatigue and wear expectation of that part's life span. Unfortunately, this production philosophy made it's way down to the chassis itself - the cars backbone. The problem starts to occur with the addition of stiffer, lower aftermarket springs and struts that transmit more load than was intended to the strut towers and has the potential to bottom out more often due to a lower ride height. With these added forces, the strut tower has a tendency to "mushroom" open, bending the strut mount's studs outward. This damage to the uni-body can be greatly decreased by using these reinforcement plates. This is a serious concern for performance minded enthusiast that want even more performance from there E36/E46/E9X 3 Series and plan to drive the car accordingly.

Applications include all E36 (excluding '96-'99 M3, installed from factory), E46 3 Series cars from 1999-2006 including the M3, and E9X 3 Series cars.

*BMW's concept of a car's limited life cycle began with design and production of the E36 3 Series in the early 90's. BMW engineered the cars to be recyclable after the car's estimated life cycle expired. The concept of a car having a limited lifespan without the ability of being rebuilt has continued with every new model. Sold per pair

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