Rear Subframe V Brace Purpose?

[heinzboehmer]

Anyone know why this is present on our cars? Is it just to aid with torsional rigidity of the chassis? I ask because non-M E46s don't seem to have these, so I'm assuming it's not a structural part like the front reinforcement plate is. Is my assumption wrong?

[ATB88]

Anyone know why this is present on our cars? Is it just to aid with torsional rigidity of the chassis? I ask because non-M E46s don't seem to have these, so I'm assuming it's not a structural part like the front reinforcement plate is. Is my assumption wrong?

My understanding is that it's structural (recalling discussions about this from the old m3f..)

[terra]

Seems like it was their attempt to reinforce the RACP... which obviously didn't end up working out that well.

[heinzboehmer]

My understanding is that it's structural (recalling discussions about this from the old m3f..)

I always assumed that was the case, but upon realizing that non-Ms don't have this brace, I started doubting that belief.

Seems like it was their attempt to reinforce the RACP... which obviously didn't end up working out that well.

Nice! Thanks for that picture. The front brace is described similarly though, so still unsure about the structural vs not structural question.