Here’s a solution to mount any strut brace on 2001 front strut towers

[Gt4]

So I was looking to install my Rogue Engineering strut tower brace on my 2001 E46 M3 LSB. As you know strut towers have those bumps in them on 2001 model which limit the available strut brace to model like AC Schnitzer or similar 3 or 5 pieces design braces that also hide access to coilover dampening adjustment knob.

I was ready to make some shims/riser plates (did some on my E30) when I came across the Rise Fab weld-in front strut tower reinforcement plates:

https://www.risefabshop.com/bmw/e46-weld-in-front-strut-tower-reinforcement?rq=e46%20strut%20

So bought those, trimmed them a bit and here is the result:

[usdmej]

i emailed mason engineering when i ran into this problem with my last E46 M3, they said if the end plates of their strut tower bars hadn't already been bent themselves from mounting, take a hammer to em to make em fit =/

this is a much better solution

[Gt4]

i emailed mason engineering when i ran into this problem with my last E46 M3, they said if the end plates of their strut tower bars hadn't already been bent themselves from mounting, take a hammer to em to make em fit =/

this is a much better solution

I bought a Mason Engineering strut brace for my E30 directly from John and it doesn’t even fit my 318is. Bolt pattern doesn’t align so I had to slot 2/6 holes, I had to massage with a hammer the bumps he made in the plates and now it get in contact with the M42 stock intake… So had to do riser plates… I will eventually cut the plates and weld my riser plates to the Mason bar… Wasn’t cheap strut brace and doesn’t fit at all…but looks good on pics

[cobra]

next step is to get that shape converted in to CAD, have a bunch made and powdercoated by Send Cut Send, and sell them here on the forum

[Gt4]

next step is to get that shape converted in to CAD, have a bunch made and powdercoated by Send Cut Send, and sell them here on the forum

I think it would be a good idea and maybe do it in a super hard plastic vs steel. So ne need for powdercoat and maybe better for base coat on top of strut towers?

[stephen]

DMG also makes plates for this. Used them when I put one of their braces on my sedan.
https://dmgautosport.net/products/e-...-turret-plates

[bigjae46]

I came here and was expecting a BFH. But this solution is much better!

[Nate047]

DMG also makes plates for this. Used them when I put one of their braces on my sedan.
https://dmgautosport.net/products/e-...-turret-plates

Just bought these for my car. Almost a hundred bucks shipped, but no welding.

[Gt4]

Just bought these for my car. Almost a hundred bucks shipped, but no welding.

No welding on the Rise Fab plates if you use them
as shims and $35

[AWE46M3]

Is this an 01 problem only or pre-LCI? I had my shim my RE strut tower brace with washers for my 02. The Rouge bar was hitting my quick disconnect hose for the ICV by the valve cover. I bought a DMG bar as it sits a lot higher than the Rogue bar (most clearance available for aftermarket strut bars).

[Gt4]

Is this an 01 problem only or pre-LCI? I had my shim my RE strut tower brace with washers for my 02. The Rouge bar was hitting my quick disconnect hose for the ICV by the valve cover. I bought a DMG bar as it sits a lot higher than the Rogue bar (most clearance available for aftermarket strut bars).

It’s a 2001 problem, strut towers are different.

But I also saw the problem you described with Rogue strut brace hitting the ICV quick disconnect. Rogue strut brace with the sticker RE or older brace fit fine but the newer Rogue brace with the curved metal RE logo fits like crap! I have made aluminum 1/4’’ shims for 2 cars so far cause it wouldn’t fit at all…

They aren’t made the same. There is 2 bends on the bigger bar on newer vs 1 bend on older.

[usdmej]

my 2002 had the funky strut towers

[bimmerfan08]

Does anyone know why the 2001 to early 2002 MY E46 M3s had these raised areas on the strut towers? Did non-M E46s have them?

[old///MFanatic]

Does anyone know why the 2001 to early 2002 MY E46 M3s had these raised areas on the strut towers? Did non-M E46s have them?

Yes the non-M E46s had them too.

[Nate047]

Alright so, my car has bumps on the passenger side tower, and the driver's side is flat. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills over here.