Luxon strut bar fitted - review

[Alext]

Ok finally got my hands on their e89 strut bar.

Initial impression of construction quality are very good. These guys know their stuff. The actual tubes are not cylindrical but have a flatter cross section. All welds and finishes good.

Installed very easily. Perfect fitment.

How does it work?

Great - this is how the car should have come. Really tightens up the front end. Less creaks when reversing out my driveway too.

At street speeds I don't notice any difference in body roll as some have reported after adding strut braces, but then again the e89 already exhibited minimal body roll at these speeds.

But certainly lane changes and cornering feels more precise and solid.

For the price of $180 this mod is a bargain and highly recommended.

[ManiacGT]

Any pics installed / links to their site/product?

[BMWZ4RIDER]

+1 pictures

[Hujan]

Pics or it didn't happen.

[Alext]

Here it is: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Luxon-Sturt-...W%7CModel%3AZ4

Sorry no pics. It's exactly the same as in their listing. Except I removed the yellow 'Luxon' branding - it's just a peel off vinyl sticker on the right (in their pics on the left). I had initial concerns from the pics regarding clearance of the N54 airbox. It clears fine and has about a 1.5cm gap so OK. Not scientific but confirmed today no more creaking from front as I reverse out of my steep driveway - I wish they did a brace for the rear though!

I made sure I didn't overtorque the nuts too. Just tight with a 13mm wrench then about another half a turn 'nip' using finger only strength. Most cars specify around 25lb/ft. Not sure on e89.

[monster]

oh! Cool... Hope no issue of the factory warranty...

[jannisa]

Thanks for your review.

Do you think it's possible to install it if you remove the strut pins and the top mount 3 bolts each side are positioned 0,5cm towards the inner side or do the strut bar holes have no clearance at all?

[VailM3]

Come on man its a bit hard you dont have/didnt take pics of it. Lets see some pics.

[ManiacGT]

I wonder if this might help with scuttle shake as that's an irritating feature of the car for me, it's minor, but it's there.

[Alext]

Jannisa - I'm not sure about your question - there are holes in the strut bar mounting plate to accommodate the strut pins etc. The 3 factory bolts are used to secure the bar itself. So the only thing you need to remove are the 3 factory nuts and re-use. No clearance issues at all. Takes 10 mins. In terms of time spent and money invested - it's gotta be the easiest performance mod on the market for the e89 except for a replacement panel filter!

I have actually removed one strut alignment pin to get more camber.

Maniac - I actually had zero scuttle shake before the mod so am not sure the answer to your question. But I can tell you my MX5 certainly had some so am familiar with it. I can only say that since this stiffens the front end it can only be advantageous.

[jparnes1]

Nicely done Alext. Can I trouble you for a shot showing the entire engine bay with the bar. I'm considering getting red also and I'd like to see how that looks.

[BMWZ4RIDER]

Originally Posted by Alext

Ok finally got my hands on their e89 strut bar.

Initial impression of construction quality are very good. These guys know their stuff. The actual tubes are not cylindrical but have a flatter cross section. All welds and finishes good.

Installed very easily. Perfect fitment.

How does it work?

Great - this is how the car should have come. Really tightens up the front end. Less creaks when reversing out my driveway too.

At street speeds I don't notice any difference in body roll as some have reported after adding strut braces, but then again the e89 already exhibited minimal body roll at these speeds.

But certainly lane changes and cornering feels more precise and solid.

For the price of $180 this mod is a bargain and highly recommended.

Where did you find this for $180.00
Nice mod for the $$
Ebay price is $250.

[Alext]

Na that's another person's pic- mine is black. I wouldn't get red - doesn't go with anything and stands out too much.

The price was US$179+ $90 delivery I ended up paying to Australia. They tried to charge me US$260 for delivery ALONE which was unacceptable....long story. Anyway the price on Ebay is basically inclusive of delivery to USA so $250.

[jannisa]

Thanks for your reply Alex. I intend to remove my strut pins hence my question as the 3 bolts each side will get positioned a tad differently.

[Alext]

Ahhh I see jannisa. Yes I was concerned about this too. I've moved mine and it just fit. They have built a little space into the holes they drilled for this. As long as it's not too much it should be ok. Initially it looked as if it wont fit, but when I began tightening the nuts down it was fine.

[jparnes1]

Alext would you say that the strut bar increased the stiffness of the overall ride up front? Does going over bumps feel more jarring than before? Don't know what you're running but I'm non-RFT and stock suspension.

[Alext]

I am on Michelin PSS non-RFT. I haven't noticed any increase in stiffness of ride quality.

[Ramjet]

I've been considering something like this, but keep hearing different opinions as to whether they actually make a difference. have you taken it on a track or done hard cornering?

from Aust as well, read somewhere that you had a hell of a time with shipping?

[Alext]

Haven't taken it on track, but got the feeling it's benefits would only be amplified on hard corners vs stock. When I changed to the PSS I lost some of that initial turn-in sensitivity, I'm guess due to the much softer sidewalls, and this has restored a lot of it.