335 OEM Strut Bar-DIY

Supramano · 01-21-2008, 10:00 AM

What exactly makes the 335 different from all the e90s that this doesnt fit properly. Is it the stock airbox ?...cause if that the case...wouldnt a nice CAI do the trick. Any other areas for concern other than the airbox?

judec · 01-21-2008, 10:31 AM

oil cup?

rwalker · 01-21-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supramano

What exactly makes the 335 different from all the e90s that this doesnt fit properly. Is it the stock airbox ?...cause if that the case...wouldnt a nice CAI do the trick. Any other areas for concern other than the airbox?

Yes, it's the stock airbox that presents the issue on the 335.

Yes, a CAI would help, but it costs a lot more than the shims

.

-Rob

P.S. - the only CAI vendor that has confirmed that their product is compatible with the OEM strut tower brace is MSDSinc.

GAM3OVR85 · 01-21-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwalker

You don't need to shim anything on the E9x 328 or 330 (or 320, etc). The OEM strut bar fits without modification or adaptation. There's another OEM strut bar DIY for non-335s. Try search.

-Rob

Thanks, i know Tischer Bmw has one

rwalker · 01-21-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTL Bimmer

Thanks, i know Tischer Bmw has one

I meant (and wrote) there's another DIY (for non-335s), not another bar. I was referring to this:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=strut

-Rob

eecc · 01-21-2008, 10:48 PM

this install method would work the same on an e92 335i?

rwalker · 01-21-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eecc

this install method would work the same on an e92 335i?

I'd be surprised if it didn't, but I can't say for certain; I haven't tried.

-Rob

GAM3OVR85 · 01-22-2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwalker

I meant (and wrote) there's another DIY (for non-335s), not another bar. I was referring to this:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ighlight=strut

-Rob

Oh my bad, i miss understood it. Thanks man

McLuVan · 01-22-2008, 01:33 AM

do u feel a huge difference in handling?

F30 Black Sapphire · 01-22-2008, 02:03 AM

Is there any difficulties when changing the Filter?

rwalker · 01-22-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bp1996_335i

Is there any difficulties when changing the Filter?

There's no way you'd be able to change the filter without removing the center section of the bar first. It comes off in no time, though.

-Rob

rwalker · 03-02-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AM335

Rob, thanks for the post and pictures. Yes, please post again later when you have long-term effects on the hoodliner. Did you feel any difference with the STB? Thanks.

As promised, a long-term update on the state of the hoodliner.

As you can see, an indentation has developed where the brace contacts the hoodliner. Less obvious is that the dent is about the same depth as some of the molded-in indentations from the manufacturer. So, no big deal.

I'm still happy.

-Rob

Nikos335i · 04-16-2008, 02:49 PM

I was going to sell my strut tower brace unitl I saw this DIY!!!

Might end up doing it this week-end.

Thanks!

Nikos335i · 05-30-2008, 02:22 PM

Well ended up doing the install last week finally!!! I installed it rwalker way but I did not like the fact that the inside hole from the mounting bracket allowed very little thread for the nut. So I asked my brother in law to machine it, he made it 3mm deeper to allow a tighter and more snug fit.

Here are some pics, as for the machined portion you can tell if you look closely at the slight color difference:

rwalker · 05-30-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikos335i

Well ended up doing the install last week finally!!! I installed it rwalker way but I did not like the fact that the inside hole from the mounting bracket allowed very little thread for the nut. So I asked my brother in law to machine it, he made it 3mm deeper to allow a tighter and more snug fit.

Here are some pics, as for the machined portion you can tell if you look closely at the slight color difference:

Looks like you only used 1 spacer under the inner mount hole. Is that right?

Looks good!

-Rob

Nikos335i · 05-30-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwalker

Looks like you only used 1 spacer under the inner mount hole. Is that right?

Looks good!

-Rob

Thanks! And thanks for your write up!

Yes only used one spacer as again thread was a concern even though I gave myself an extra 3mm still not 100% happy so I used 1.5mm spacers on the bar portion. Therefore .5mm overall diffencre between our installs!

Cheers!

Richardo · 11-28-2008, 05:42 PM

I have an '07 335i sedan and had this strut bar installed by the dealer when I bought the car (unfortunately they didn't check for incompatabilities with this specific model). Today I made the changes outlined in this DIY, and it worked well for me. Previously I had a fairly loud rattle resulting from the air filter rubbing against the strut bar, but the noise is completely gone now!

I used the rwalker method but with only 2 washers each on the left and right sides of the vehicle (4 total): 1) 1 on inner bolt of lower bracket and 2) 1 on inner bolt of upper bracket. The slight bending of the strut bar resulting from this configuration gave me plenty of extra clearance. Now after adding the washers, I have over 1 cm of clearance between the air filter cover and the strut bar.

Here are some pictures. You can see where the rubbing was occurring against air fliter cover (it actually looks worse in the picture than out in sunlight). I've also added a couple of reference pictures including the specific washers I used from Home Depot (which fit perfectly).

After making the changes, I test drove the car, and it appears to handle fine (no noticeable changes).

Hope these prove helpful to everyone.

Jerseystyle1 · 11-01-2009, 03:24 PM

Has anyone tried this with an AFE DCI?

01-21-2008, 10:00 AM	#23
Supramano Lieutenant 39 Rep 509 Posts Drives: 1995 BMW M3, 2008 335xi Sedan Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1)	What exactly makes the 335 different from all the e90s that this doesnt fit properly. Is it the stock airbox ?...cause if that the case...wouldnt a nice CAI do the trick. Any other areas for concern other than the airbox? __________________ Manny : 2008 335xi sedan : SG, Terra, Alum, 6mt, SPP, PP, 162s Mods; Procede V4 \| Remus Quads \| UR catless dps \| H&R coilovers \| Modified CDV \| Injen Intake \| Spearco IC \| Forge DVs \| Defi Boost Gauge w/controller \| Vorsteiner CF Hood + Front Lip \| OEM M-tech Body kit \| Hamann eyelids \| Predator Ice Angels \| 19" Volk Progressive Me's \| Rotora BBK \| 18" Rota Torques w/Blizzaks
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01-21-2008, 10:31 AM	#24
judec born to be turbocharged 24 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: Not a bimmer yet Join Date: May 2007 Location: Slovakia iTrader: (0)	oil cup? __________________ Disclaimer: All this message was written with recycled electrons.
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01-21-2008, 10:48 PM	#28
eecc Private 1 Rep 75 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Home iTrader: (2)	this install method would work the same on an e92 335i?
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01-22-2008, 01:33 AM	#31
McLuVan Lieutenant General 315 Rep 13,094 Posts Drives: ///M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Socal~818~ iTrader: (1)	do u feel a huge difference in handling?
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01-22-2008, 02:03 AM	#32
F30 Black Sapphire Private First Class 41 Rep 196 Posts Drives: F30 328i Black Sapphire Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: HK iTrader: (0)	Is there any difficulties when changing the Filter? __________________ Current : BMW F30 328i Blk Sapphire Previous : BMW E30 325i/BMW E36 328i/E46 330i/BMW E90 335i (AW) MB SLK200
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04-16-2008, 02:49 PM	#35
Nikos335i Brigadier General 95 Rep 3,822 Posts Drives: 2012 B8 S4 & 2013 F30 328xi Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada iTrader: (13) Garage List 2012 Audi S4 [9.00] 2007 E90 335i [9.00] 2011 Audi A4 Avant [10.00]	I was going to sell my strut tower brace unitl I saw this DIY!!! Might end up doing it this week-end. Thanks! __________________ *'12 B8 S4 Ice Silver on Black/Premium/DSG/Sport Diff/Nav/Carbon Inlays/19' Titanium Wheels/RS4 Grill/AWE exhaust/Alu Kreuz/H&R OE/Pagid RS19* '13 F30 328xi Sapphire Black/Coral Red/Sportline/gloss black with matte red/Style 397 18" wheels gone: '07 E90 335i, Alpine White/Black with aluminum/sport/ steptronic/paddles/premium/Logic7 gone: '06 E61 530xi Sapphire Black/Black with aluminum/premium/panoramic sunroof/Logic7/PDC
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05-30-2008, 02:22 PM	#36
Nikos335i Brigadier General 95 Rep 3,822 Posts Drives: 2012 B8 S4 & 2013 F30 328xi Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada iTrader: (13) Garage List 2012 Audi S4 [9.00] 2007 E90 335i [9.00] 2011 Audi A4 Avant [10.00]	Well ended up doing the install last week finally!!! I installed it rwalker way but I did not like the fact that the inside hole from the mounting bracket allowed very little thread for the nut. So I asked my brother in law to machine it, he made it 3mm deeper to allow a tighter and more snug fit. Here are some pics, as for the machined portion you can tell if you look closely at the slight color difference: Attached Images __________________ *'12 B8 S4 Ice Silver on Black/Premium/DSG/Sport Diff/Nav/Carbon Inlays/19' Titanium Wheels/RS4 Grill/AWE exhaust/Alu Kreuz/H&R OE/Pagid RS19* '13 F30 328xi Sapphire Black/Coral Red/Sportline/gloss black with matte red/Style 397 18" wheels gone: '07 E90 335i, Alpine White/Black with aluminum/sport/ steptronic/paddles/premium/Logic7 gone: '06 E61 530xi Sapphire Black/Black with aluminum/premium/panoramic sunroof/Logic7/PDC
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11-28-2008, 05:42 PM	#39
Richardo Private First Class 16 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 335i AT sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I have an '07 335i sedan and had this strut bar installed by the dealer when I bought the car (unfortunately they didn't check for incompatabilities with this specific model). Today I made the changes outlined in this DIY, and it worked well for me. Previously I had a fairly loud rattle resulting from the air filter rubbing against the strut bar, but the noise is completely gone now! I used the rwalker method but with only 2 washers each on the left and right sides of the vehicle (4 total): 1) 1 on inner bolt of lower bracket and 2) 1 on inner bolt of upper bracket. The slight bending of the strut bar resulting from this configuration gave me plenty of extra clearance. Now after adding the washers, I have over 1 cm of clearance between the air filter cover and the strut bar. Here are some pictures. You can see where the rubbing was occurring against air fliter cover (it actually looks worse in the picture than out in sunlight). I've also added a couple of reference pictures including the specific washers I used from Home Depot (which fit perfectly). After making the changes, I test drove the car, and it appears to handle fine (no noticeable changes). Hope these prove helpful to everyone. Attached Images Last edited by Richardo; 12-07-2008 at 09:58 PM..
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11-01-2009, 03:24 PM	#40
Jerseystyle1 Boris the Blade 19 Rep 317 Posts Drives: Montego Blue 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FT Leonard Wood, MO iTrader: (3)	Has anyone tried this with an AFE DCI? __________________ Allan Montego Blue 335i Sedan w/Navi/Magnetic Black NISMO 350Z #831/76' Mini 1100 "SPECIAL" Export
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