Sportstick

I couldn't add a poll to an existing thread, so please give an opinion on the handling performance effect.

Sportstick

Approaching 200 views, and only 5 responses to the poll. This certainly does not seem to be a popular mod!

tanktube67

Knowing that you have the sway bars installed, you will benefit with the strut brace and it will be a lot better ride with a rear strut brace, not sure if is available.

Sportstick

I've learned of front braces from RennTech, MBArts, and SMERC, but I've not heard of anyone doing a rear. I'd not be eager to get too deeply back into the rear, as it took 3 hours just to swap out the rear bar, with all the disassembly that was required.

Sportstick

Not sure whether to be surprised or just disappointed, but almost 300 views and only 10 responses, even though an "I don't know" answer was available. I guess if I can't get you folks to even click on an easy button, strut braces don't whip up a lot of interest or enthusiasm here, which is likely a bigger problem for the three companies who invested in them than for us customers!

Spec_Davis

Im planning on getting the MB arts w the Eibach anti sways and with both you will get a solid feel of better handling.

ZeroSeVen

I have used an upper strut brace (strut bar) for another make and model but not with our W204s so I can't give a real time feedback on how it will affect our car's steering response.

I have installed an adjustable aluminum strut bar on my 2000 Mitsubishi but I never raced my car on the track so i couldn't give any feedback as well on how it performs in high speed cornering. I may have noticed a little improvement in steering response with normal driving but it can all be placebo.

The only benefit I got from installing it is purely cosmetic. I won't be installing one unless I decide to track my car.

RLE

Reminds me of the quote: There are things that are created to be sold vs things created to be bought.

There are some cars that benefit from a strut brace because their front structure containing the upper strut mount does flex under high-G cornering. The Porsche 911 is one example.

Who says the W204 does this and who could take advantage of the brace if it was installed?

TanMan350

Renntech does a rear bar... has the same concept as the front with the cross CF bar detachable, so you can remove it in a matter of seconds... spoke and saw it installed on a C63 they had over at festivals of speed show last year. I'll try and p ost pics if I can find one, I"m sure I took a picture... Quite expensive though at around $1000 for the rear alone...

Acapulco Bill

The rear of W204's already has a substantial brace, the 4" square box that runs under the rear passenger compartment shelf.
The left front shock tower has a brace that runs to the firewall, not so on the right side. Assume that it is reversed for RHD vehicles. Perhaps this brace compensates for the openings left for the steering and brake mechanisms.
In any case the rear of the towers are connected to the firewall, and would be nearly impossible for these two points of the frame (the top point of each shock), to move towards each other.
Frame twist (where for instance the left front of the frame rises relative to the rear wheels) cannot be corrected by a simple brace. The W204 uses the roof as a structural member to combat this stress.
Of the front braces I have seen, (mostly BMW, check eBay) none are properly engineered, as their weakest points are the first bolt hole and at the apex of the bar. Neither have sufficient strength to resist an inward movement of the top of the shocks.
The most substantial front strut bar found on eBay (for an E46 BMW) shown in the attached photo. Tell me if you think this strut will resist the tons of force required to prevent 1/32nd inch of inward movement.

AZN Optics

You'll get the most bang for your buck with sway bars which you already have. Strut brace will tighten it up further. You won't notice it really in daily driving (unless you're prone to try to beat the red on left turn arrows), but where it pays off is taking mountain twisties which I run every so often. Go with a one piece design imo like the MBArts instead of multi piece.

Sportstick

Thanks...these are some very insightful replies raising very valid issues to consider...appreciate you sharing your expertise!

AZN Optics

Just another point on the MBArts strut brace, the reason I'm a believe in that product is the engineering backing it as it was designed by people who build race cars for a living. The base is actually a single plate piece that's enforced by the three provided bolts which are also specifically selected for their strength. The base plate is then welded (really damn good welds also) to dual 41XX high-strength low-alloy steel chromoly bars. It's not the prettiest bar, but is by far the most functional. You can always wrap it in CF like I did to beauty it up.



CF Wrapped (test fitting, not screwed in all the way)

Speedriven1

Unless you're a top-notch driver putting serious loads on the chassis (road course, slicks, high entry and exit speeds, etc.) you will very likely just be adding weight under the hood and lightening your wallet.

Speedriven1

It's a quality part, for sure - but the thread was asking something else. These are the guys, though.