I know there are varying thoughts on upper strut bars, especially on modern cars that usually come with some form of strut bracing from the factory. A lot of people say it’s a waste. Some say it’s still worth it, but the bar needs to be solid, and not bolted together like the one in the photo as it’s not rigid and allows for flex at the joints.
Well, I think people forget one important detail: it’s cheap and looks cool. I bought this strut bar mainly because I like its appearance. Not necessarily this specific one, but strut bars in general. I believe they don’t significantly impact the F22 chassis, although I don’t have data to support that. Some say it enhances steering feel and the overall character of the car. Maybe they’re right, and if so, I can agree with that.
I don’t feel like it would make much of a lap time difference. But on my old F30 335i at least, I did notice a difference in the car when I removed it prior to selling. It just felt different. Any improvement in steering feel on a non-M F-chassis car is welcome. The hope of that, in addition to the ability to do a cheap and easy mod that looks cool is why we are here today.
Choosing the Bar
I ordered the bar from Aliexpress. I can promise you that was not my first choice. However, I was having a hard time finding one. Nearly every one that was priced reasonably had the same small print in the description: “Not compatible with six-cylinder models.”
Obviously, I wasn’t going to order one that said that. No, the only one I found at the time I looked that did not have that caveat was on Aliexpress via a Google search. It was priced well at $70 shipped, including the stupid tariffs, so I pulled the trigger. Yes, there are some available that are better built and could provide more bracing, but I didn’t want to spend $250-$350 for something that I was literally only buying for the reasons I already mentioned above, even if I’d much rather have it. It just didn’t make sense to me for my needs and use case.
Installing the Bar
The brand is TTCR-II which I have never heard of, but they do have a website which you can visit here if you want. There is not much on the website. They only list one item for BMW and this strut bar isn’t it. But whatever, it appears to be a real company. Even if not, the strut bar is real. I have one!
It even came with a certificate to prove it’s a real TTCR-II product!
It also came with a sticker that most likely will not be put on my car.
I am not ashamed, at all, of the bar or the brand. I just don’t like to put branding stickers on my cars. The Miata has them under the hood but that’s a different story. This car will remain sticker free.
The installation was very easy. Just two bolts on each side to mount it, and then one bolt on either side to mount the bar to the braces.
All bolted up! It fell into place fairly easily, and the welds are okay. But they are not perfect. The passenger side is just ever so slightly crooked, so getting the bolt through takes a small amount of force. Not much, but enough that I felt I should mention it. Not surprising given where I bought it but overall I was expecting worse fitment to the point it may not even mount up. But it did! I like how it looks, even though it has that cheap eBay aesthetic to it. I got my start modifying cars in the mid-late 90s, so this kind of strut bar just feels right to me.
It’s cheap but serves the purpose I want, so I’m happy. Installation was very quick and easy. Fitment is probably a solid 7 out of 10, but once it’s all bolted down, it’s on and not going anywhere.
Driving impressions are that I can’t really tell a difference. In truth, I may have just spent $70 to add a blingy, frustrating step to my life anytime I need to remove the engine cover. But that’s OK. That was also my life when I had my F30 335i and I survived.
If I have time one day I may make a few runs around the area with and without the bar, back-to-back, to see if I feel anything. But as of now I can’t feel a difference.
Thank you for following along, and I will see you in the next one.
Supergoat Garage 