[ashmostro]

So I've read as many DIYs out there as I could find but it would seem the e92 cowl area has changed over time, making it quite difficult to install an M3 strut brace.

First off, the cover piece that has the two rubber boots on it is now one-piece: the rubber boots are molded into the plastic rather than snapped in. As such, I can't load up the V-shaped firewall brace into the piece because the rubber just won't stretch enough to clear the ends. Ok, so consider ruling that part out...

Second (and this is the real doozy) is that the clips that retain the headlight washer hoses are actually now snaps that are molded into the upper cowl piece, which block the brace when trying to insert it from any angle. I also tried the slipping it from the side trick but it's just too long to clear once inserted.

Any late model folks successfully install the brace have a workaround for these problems?

Thanks

[ashmostro]

Ok, problem partially solved - got the brace installed by yanking on the cowl quite a bit, but the rubber boot problem remains - in fact I didn't install the cover as the boots would really have to be cut out to do so. I figured I would install without and see how much NVH increases, if any. I don't see that part being much more than noise control... and *maybe* some heat shielding but I'm not convinced of that.

So again, anyone with a later-model e9x solve this problem already?

[ashmostro]

A helpful forum member PMed me to let me know that his 335is also has the permanent boots - he slitted them to do this install which is what I'm going to do. Just adding to this thread if anyone finds it in the future.

[tres]

i did the same thing made a small slit it the boot.

[vasillalov]

No need to slit, cut or modify anything. It fits just fine.

[ashmostro]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

No need to slit, cut or modify anything. It fits just fine.

It appears that the later model e9x's have a different cowl boot that is not clipped in, but molded into the plastic piece. Without slitting or otherwise permanently removing the boots, the cowl cover just isn't going to fit around the Y-brace.

[LMB335IS]

I had the same problem with my 335is. Luckily the member I bought the brace from included the old style cowl piece with the removable rubber boots. I pulled the washer hosing out, snapped the hose holders off, finessed the brace anchor in, then just let the hoses lay across the top of anchor. Works fine.

[ashmostro]

Yeah I did the same with the hoses for the same reason. Haven't gotten around to slitting the cowl piece yet but will this weekend after the rest of my suspension mods go in.