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Description

Rear Strut Brace BMW E46

This E46 rear strut bar connects the two rear strut mounts and makes the rear of the car noticeably stiffer. It fits the coupé, saloon, Touring and Compact of the 3 Series E46. The result is a rear end that stays tighter in corners and responds more predictably when you get on the throttle and drift.

The E46 is one of the most popular drift cars of the moment, and you see it everywhere at trackdays too. With coilovers, a welded or locked differential and the grip of good tyres, the rear takes a beating. This brace gives extra support where it counts.

Key benefits of this E46 rear strut bar

• Four body styles: coupé, saloon, Touring and Compact
• Flat oval steel profile of 40 x 20 mm
• 3 mm wall thickness for a stiff connection
• Laser-cut plates, bent on CNC press brakes
• Pressed mounting holes
• MIG/MAG-welded in jigs by a certified welder
• Tested in drifting and rallying, black powder-coated

Suitable for

BMW 3 Series E46

• BMW 3 Series E46 coupé
• BMW 3 Series E46 saloon
• BMW 3 Series E46 Touring
• BMW 3 Series E46 Compact

Technical specifications

• Item number: 0012
• Position: rear
• Main profile: flat oval steel, 40 x 20 mm
• Wall thickness: 3 mm
• Plates: laser-cut, CNC-bent, pressed holes
• Welding: MIG/MAG in welding jigs
• Finish: black powder-coated
• Weight: 1.84 kg

Installation and delivery

The brace is fitted with its round plates on the rear strut mounts. First clean the contact surfaces thoroughly and check the panel around the mounts, as this is a known weak spot on older E46s. Put the brace in place, screw the nuts on by hand and then tighten them evenly with a torque wrench.

After the first few hundred kilometres, check the nuts again. On a drift car, the brace is part of the standard check before every event.

Also take a look at the other models in the strut braces category. For the front of the same car there is the front strut brace for the BMW E46, and the reinforcement for the rear shock absorber mount helps against cracks around the shock absorber mount.

An E46 that you steer with the throttle deserves a rear end that does not flex.

Why choose this E46 rear strut bar?

The brace fits all four body styles of the E46 and is built from a heavy steel profile with precisely cut plates. It is welded in jigs by a certified welder and has proven itself in drifting and rallying. This E46 rear strut bar gives you a solid rear end for the road, the track and drift days.

Frequently asked questions

Does the E46 rear strut bar fit the Compact?

Yes, the brace fits the coupé, saloon, Touring and Compact.

What does an E46 rear strut bar do?

It connects the rear strut mounts, so that the body flexes less and the rear end responds more calmly in corners.

What material is the brace made of?

40 x 20 mm flat oval steel with a 3 mm wall, black powder-coated.

Can I fit the brace myself?

Yes, you can fit the E46 rear strut bar yourself with normal tools and a torque wrench.

How much does the brace weigh?

The E46 rear strut bar weighs 1.84 kg, so you add hardly any weight to the rear of your car.

Do I also need a brace for the front?

Not necessarily, but with a brace front and rear the whole car becomes stiffer and the balance between the front and rear axle is better maintained.

Delivery outside the European Union: different shipping costs may apply. Don’t worry: we will email you as soon as possible after your order and agree the shipping with you. You are not committed to anything without your consent.