Group Buy: Rear Strong-Strut (aka Butt Strut)

[aceyx]

Seeing a thread earlier today about a rear-strut bar made me think of this. So far, it's the only product that seems to work for our particular cars (tower-mounts are questionable for the ti), and doesn't give up any hatch space in the process. There are testimonials at the bottom, and more information can be found at the following sites:
z3roadster.net
roadfly
(NOTE: in both instances, the strut was installed on an M Roadster. Tightening up that car takes some work, but this product seems to do it.)


Sent a message to Paul earlier today, and got a response within hours:

5 units at @ $320
6 to 10 units @ $300
11 to 15 @ $280
+Shipping (see below)

Unfortunately, this is not a huge discount, but it beats throwing your money away on a product that doesn't really do anything.

Shipping to the US is $15 on top, to Europe is about $43. I have given Paul a timeframe of the end of March, so please reply to this thread with questions and interest (please put it in bold, and I will later add your name to this post).

Product information here:
http://strong-strut.com/Butt-Strut.htm

[L84THSKY]

I just replied to a post about this BUTT STRUT.

I'm in for one, if we can get a dozen or so people.

Originally Posted by aceyx

Seeing a thread earlier today about a rear-strut bar made me think of this. So far, it's the only product that seems to work for our particular cars (tower-mounts are questionable for the ti), and doesn't give up any hatch space in the process. There are testimonials at the bottom, and more information can be found at the following sites:
z3roadster.net
roadfly
(NOTE: in both instances, the strut was installed on an M Roadster. Tightening up that car takes some work, but this product seems to do it.)


Sent a message to Paul earlier today, and got a response within hours:

5 units at @ $320
6 to 10 units @ $300
11 to 15 @ $280
+Shipping (see below)

Unfortunately, this is not a huge discount, but it beats throwing your money away on a product that doesn't really do anything.

Shipping to the US is $15 on top, to Europe is about $43. I have given Paul a timeframe of the end of March, so please reply to this thread with questions and interest (please put it in bold, and I will later add your name to this post).

Product information here:
http://strong-strut.com/Butt-Strut.htm

[96cali]

Doesn't this reduce your ground clearance? I remember a thread a few years back where a lowered ti with the butt strut clipped a raised manhole cover or speed bump. It seriously damaged the rear subframe I think.

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by 96cali

Doesn't this reduce your ground clearance? I remember a thread a few years back where a lowered ti with the butt strut clipped a raised manhole cover or speed bump. It seriously damaged the rear subframe I think.

I'll ask Paul about this. He mentioned coming to the forum, so I'll point him to this thread.

If you look at the final install picture on the z3roadster site, you'll notice it only adds the thickness of the bar to clearance issues.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by 96cali

Doesn't this reduce your ground clearance? I remember a thread a few years back where a lowered ti with the butt strut clipped a raised manhole cover or speed bump. It seriously damaged the rear subframe I think.

I might be interested in this but if the above is true count me out. I'm nervous about putting in my lowering springs and new shocks cause i have 7 speed bumps where i live. Damn private areas keeping you to 10-15mph.

[96 3 1 8 ti]

I would be in to purchase this brace if the price is around 280

[aceyx]

I think I'm gonna let this incubate until mid-summer, since papa needs a new helmet right now.

[GDB]

$280 for a freaking piece of steel strapping? Maybe I should go down to Home Depot and start making and selling these things on my own.

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by GDB

$280 for a freaking piece of steel strapping? Maybe I should go down to Home Depot and start making and selling these things on my own.

Good idea. Let us know how that works out for you.

Quoted from the article that you obviously didn't read:

"The Butt Strut is a solid, 2-1/2 inch piece of cold rolled, CNC machined steel and it's mounted to the brackets that support the rear sub-frame assembly, which appears to offer a ton of reinforcement to the rear assembly. Again, the brackets, the components and the brace itself are absolutely impressive; the quality is more than top-notch."

Sometimes it's better to not say anything at all.

[AlaskaBlue]

I would definately be good for a butt strut mid summer as well.

[GDB]

Originally Posted by DustenT

Good idea. Let us know how that works out for you.

Quoted from the article that you obviously didn't read:

"The Butt Strut is a solid, 2-1/2 inch piece of cold rolled, CNC machined steel and it's mounted to the brackets that support the rear sub-frame assembly, which appears to offer a ton of reinforcement to the rear assembly. Again, the brackets, the components and the brace itself are absolutely impressive; the quality is more than top-notch."

Sometimes it's better to not say anything at all.

Yes, I read the article. I stand by my statment that it could be made for <$50

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by GDB

Yes, I read the article. I stand by my statment that it could be made for <$50

I guess it depends what your time is worth. I'm at the point in my life where it makes more sense to have people make things/do things for me because I'm so busy with work and studying. I guess if you don't have anything else to do, go ahead and try to make one. It comes down to this: do I want something cheap, that looks like crap, and will take 2-3 days to make and collect parts for, or do I pay $300 and have a nice one in my hand in 3 days.

To each their own, but don't expect your home-made butt brace to look as nice as a CNC machined piece.

[GDB]

Originally Posted by DustenT

I guess it depends what your time is worth. I'm at the point in my life where it makes more sense to have people make things/do things for me because I'm so busy with work and studying. I guess if you don't have anything else to do, go ahead and try to make one. It comes down to this: do I want something cheap, that looks like crap, and will take 2-3 days to make and collect parts for, or do I pay $300 and have a nice one in my hand in 3 days.

To each their own, but don't expect your home-made butt brace to look as nice as a CNC machined piece.

It's a freaking 1/2" x 2.5" piece of steel that goes under the car. All it has to do is work. I guess some people just take pride in building and fabricating their own stuff instead of popping in off the shelf parts.

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by GDB

It's a freaking 1/2" x 2.5" piece of steel that goes under the car. All it has to do is work. I guess some people just take pride in building and fabricating their own stuff instead of popping in off the shelf parts.

Are we talking about the same part? The butt strut can be seen in this picture: (it's the lowest part of the car, between the diff and the ground)



I don't think making home-made suspension parts is a good idea, unless you're an engineer. I think if this part could be made from Home Depot material it would have been done already, right?

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by GDB

It's a freaking 1/2" x 2.5" piece of steel that goes under the car. All it has to do is work. I guess some people just take pride in building and fabricating their own stuff instead of popping in off the shelf parts.

Cold-rolled steel that thick is gonna need a hydraulic press to bend. Unless you have one of those (not to mention a way to powdercoat it), it's gonna cost a bit more than $50.