A must have for performance
driven E36/E46/E9X 3 Series -
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/Z3
(excluding '96-'99 M3, in which these plates are installed from
factory), E46 3 Series cars from 1999-2006 including the M3, and
E8X 1 Series / E9X 3 Series cars.
Sold per pair. May require
modification of reinforcement plate to retain full camber
adjustment for track applications.
