Strut Tower Brace

[Xenocide]

Do these ebay strut tower braces actually fit our car?

some say only 6cyl...some say all models....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-98-BMW-E36-325-323-318-330-M3-FRONT-STRUT-TOWER-BAR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQitemZ110302147362QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPart sQ5fAccessories

[RidingSimple]

No.
You'd be better off lighting your $20 on fire.

[Xenocide]

It might not be as stiff as a $200 one, but the mechanics behind it still provide a little bit of front end stiffness no matter how small or ****ty the bar. I don't need a $200 bar.

[tiFreak]

the ones that say only 6-cyl. or all models won't fit, the M42/44 sits higher than the 6-cyl. so the bars have to be different

[mohaughn]

I think Hugo and somebody else were trying to get a 4 point 4cylinder strut bar made... I would imagine if his car is swapped now, that may be why that never happened.

[S52Commander]

Mason Engine--- fits...

[tiFreak]

so, does anyone know about the Cosmo Racing strut bar? I know it's cheap but I was wondering how well it fit and if it's any good

[bullmand]

Mason Engine--- fits...

+1 on the Mason stuff. It's more expensive than the eBay junk but it's excessively well made.

[RidingSimple]

And a Mason bar will fit over the top of the intake mani on a M42/M44? I find that hard to believe, since every other bar goes near the firewall with that angle.

[bullmand]

It fits on the e30 with the M42. I've had one on mine for about a year now. As long as you order the one that doesn't say "not available for 318 model" you should be fine. From his site:

BMW E36 Front Upper Strut Bar for 318 Model
Available in either Black Powder coated Steel or Aluminum.

Steel 5.0 lbs
$225.00

Aluminum 3.0 lbs
$259.00

Specifications : Designed to fit the 318 model of the E36 Chassis.

[weezer]

I thought someone here bought a Sparco made for the E30 and it fits?
$89 painted red.

[gimp]

I have the Sparco for the e36 and it fits fine. I doubt it does a lot to stiffen things, but it does re-enforce the strut towers, so to me, that's worth it.

[bullmand]

Mine is an OMP. I don't know if they're available anymore but it's pretty nice. It's a three piece design and allows for adjustment if necessary. The part number is MA 1745 and it shows up on their main site, but not the US site.

[RidingSimple]

It fits on the e30 with the M42. I've had one on mine for about a year now. As long as you order the one that doesn't say "not available for 318 model" you should be fine. From his site:

BMW E36 Front Upper Strut Bar for 318 Model
Available in either Black Powder coated Steel or Aluminum.

Steel 5.0 lbs
$225.00

Aluminum 3.0 lbs
$259.00

Specifications : Designed to fit the 318 model of the E36 Chassis.

I retract what I said, thanks for correcting me.
I believe that is the first, "good" front strut bar that fits the 318 models. Most of the straight designs don't allow enough clearence to close the hood. I might have to look into this one someday.

Have any pics of it on your 318?

[bullmand]

No, but I can get some later next week. I'll also get some of the OMP bar in my ti.

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_2738.JPG

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_2737.JPG

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_2736.JPG

[Maverix]

so, does anyone know about the Cosmo Racing strut bar? I know it's cheap but I was wondering how well it fit and if it's any good

I'm about to get one and try it out after I pay back jess the $20 I owe. Seems decent though.

[bullmand]

OK. Here are the pics of the Mason bar on my E30. I haven't actually seen the E36 4 cylinder bar, but I would expect it to be of similar design and quality. There are pictures of my OMP bar on my ti two posts up.

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_2741.JPG

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_2740.JPG

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_2739.JPG

[RidingSimple]

Ahha! So I was only kind of wrong. ;)
I knew that the straight through designs wouldn't ever fit over a M42/M44 motor....just no clearence for it. Mason doesn't do a good job of letting us know what the 4 cylinder bar looks like on their site. With that said, nice bar. :)