The BimmerWorld View: A must-have for any performance-driven E36 3-Series - reduce the chances for strut housing and mount "mushrooming" and increase the car's strength when using performance oriented spring and/or struts. We highly recommend reinforcement plates with use of aftermarket performance suspension kits.
With every new 3-Series model, BMW engineers have increased their concern for saving weight (and cost) in every location possible as a way compensate for the added weight (and cost) of modern safety, luxury, and technology features. With computer-based load and fatigue programs (starting with the E36), BMW tried to create a light chassis that could withstand the loads of the stock suspension without deformity or flex throughout the car's life cycle. With this type of production technology, BMW can make the material as thin as possible to meet the projected fatigue and wear expectation of that part's life span.
Unfortunately, this production philosophy made it's way down to the chassis itself - the cars backbone. Problems start to occur with the addition of lower and stiffer aftermarket springs and struts that transmit more load to the strut towers than was intended, and there's the potential to bottom out more often due to a lower ride height. With these added forces, the strut tower has a tendency to "mushroom" open, bending the strut mount's studs outward. This damage to the uni-body can be greatly decreased by using factory reinforcement plates. This is a serious concern for performance-minded enthusiast that want to extract even more performance from their E36 and plan to drive the car accordingly.
Applications include all E36/Z3 (excluding '96-'99 M3, in which these plates are installed from factory).
Sold individually. May require modification of reinforcement plate to retain full adjustment capabilities of camber plates for track applications.
BMW Fitments:
3 Series
E36 (92-99) > 318i M42
E36 (92-99) > 318i M44
E36 (92-99) > 318ic M42
E36 (92-99) > 318ic M44
E36 (92-99) > 318is M42
E36 (92-99) > 318is M44
E36 (92-99) > 323ic
E36 (92-99) > 323is
E36 (92-99) > 325i
E36 (92-99) > 325ic
E36 (92-99) > 325is
E36 (92-99) > 328i
E36 (92-99) > 328ic
E36 (92-99) > 328is
E36 (92-99) > M3 (1995)
E36 (92-99) > M3 (96-99)
Z Series
E36/7 / E36/8 Z3 (96-02) > Z3 1.9
E36/7 / E36/8 Z3 (96-02) > Z3 2.5
E36/7 / E36/8 Z3 (96-02) > Z3 2.8 97-98
E36/7 / E36/8 Z3 (96-02) > Z3 2.8 99-00
E36/7 / E36/8 Z3 (96-02) > Z3 3.0
E36/7 / E36/8 Z3 (96-02) > Z3 M - S52
E36/7 / E36/8 Z3 (96-02) > Z3 M - S54