Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Independence KY
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    2,832

    BMWP strut bar question: damage refinish

    I might be able to purchase this ($500 shipped) but im not happy with the strut tower areas of the bar and the damage they have sustained. Guys who have this bar: do you think the pictured areas can be sanded out/made to look better or near normal again? The bar also has, according to the seller, one nick in the carbon fiber which is tough to see in the photos, seller says its just the clear coat but it looks unappealing.

    When i worked at audi, some of the machined finishes on a few of their OE wheels were hard to replicate when repairing a wheel, was wondering if thats the case with the finish on these strut bars.

    Wondering your thoughts if its worth the purchase (pending a refinish is possible) or if i should hold out until another comes along.

    http://postimg.org/gallery/1t1td4nwk/
    http://postimg.org/image/48ug9pz8l/
    Last edited by BADCLOWN; 03-08-2015 at 02:44 PM.
    2005 BMW 330i ZHP - BMWP brakes/intake/strut bar/shifter, Coby wraps interior, BBS CHs, Eagle Eye LED tails, LED fog lights, GC coilovers, Sprint Booster/sport button mod, 4.5 LCM w/ programming, Xtrons 9inch HU, BSW stg1, dynamat, M3 sedan dead pedal, oCarbon CF interior trim, CF seat backs, 2x2 CF MTECH2 diffuser, CF cabin filter cover



  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    22841
    Posts
    9,922
    Depending on the price. But if it was me I would sand down the aluminum and polish it.

    His - 2004 Imola Red / Alcantara 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

    Her's - 2005 Black Sapphire Metallic / Black Leather 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Independence KY
    Posts
    2,832
    I edited post with price: $500
    2005 BMW 330i ZHP - BMWP brakes/intake/strut bar/shifter, Coby wraps interior, BBS CHs, Eagle Eye LED tails, LED fog lights, GC coilovers, Sprint Booster/sport button mod, 4.5 LCM w/ programming, Xtrons 9inch HU, BSW stg1, dynamat, M3 sedan dead pedal, oCarbon CF interior trim, CF seat backs, 2x2 CF MTECH2 diffuser, CF cabin filter cover



  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    22841
    Posts
    9,922
    Are you getting it basically because of engine bay bling? If that is the case and the defects bug you, IMO pass on it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Independence KY
    Posts
    2,832
    i plan on purchasing rear strut bar as well, in total trying to stiffen up the car. plus the fact that it looks nice doesnt hurt.
    2005 BMW 330i ZHP - BMWP brakes/intake/strut bar/shifter, Coby wraps interior, BBS CHs, Eagle Eye LED tails, LED fog lights, GC coilovers, Sprint Booster/sport button mod, 4.5 LCM w/ programming, Xtrons 9inch HU, BSW stg1, dynamat, M3 sedan dead pedal, oCarbon CF interior trim, CF seat backs, 2x2 CF MTECH2 diffuser, CF cabin filter cover



  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    22841
    Posts
    9,922
    If I was going to buy a bar, personally it would be the factory m3 bar or the mason engineering front and rear bars.

    His - 2004 Imola Red / Alcantara 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

    Her's - 2005 Black Sapphire Metallic / Black Leather 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    18,064
    Hmmm, tough one. Charlie might know if that could clean up. It's certainly discounted as I know they can sell for $600.

    Sent from mobile
    Randeaux/Rando/John/jr - '06 Cic ZHP; Southern California
    "ZHP or not, I still like you"


    ZHP Performance Package, Cold Weather Package, Leather, Jet Black/Black/BlackCube, NAV, Anthracite Black "my individual" interior trim
    ESS Stage 1 Twin Screw Supercharger, Sprint Booster, BMW Perf Intake, Magnaflow Exhaust, Dinan TB & STEP S/W, UCC Sway Bars, Apex EC-7 18x8.5 ET38
    Suspension: AST 44100 dampers, Bimmerworld front adjustable end links, Swift springs (8K front, 10K rear), Vorshlag camber plates
    Dynavin D99+, Hardwire V1 (w/V1 Connection), BSW Stage 1 Speakers, Kicker Amp/Subwoofer
    BMW Performance Strut Brace, Orion V2 Angel Eyes, No-holes License Plate, SMG Paddle Shift Mod, Besian VANOS, Gold DISA, Fan Delete, M3 Side Mirrors
    Note: Actual car no longer resembles signature picture

  8. #8
    $400 maybe I would buy and then attempt to recondition the bar. Not sure if you could sand this down and refinish the entire carbon fiber surface as I have never done this before. I don't think you can just do spots and expect the finish to come out perfect.

    If paying $500 or more I would pass on this and wait for a better example like the one I recently sold....are you doing this purely for cosmetics (getting the BMW Performance carbon fiber strut bar) or performance reason? If you're looking for more a performance related reason then getting an OEM M3 strut bar would be better in my opinion. Cheaper as well..

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Liberty Township, OH
    Posts
    37,935
    Quote Originally Posted by BADCLOWN View Post
    i plan on purchasing rear strut bar as well, in total trying to stiffen up the car.
    Not the strut bar for you then.

    "No flamesuit required"
    Call Me Dane l 2/2004 330i ZHP l 18x8 ET45 BBS CK's wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ @ 245-40-18 l KW V1 Coilovers in front l KW V1 springs w/ Bilstein B8 dampeners in rear l BMW Performance Rotors l UUC StrutBarbarian l Racing Dynamics Rear Strut Bar l Jim Conforti Shark Injector l Light Birch Interior Trim l Bimmian Celly Mount l M3 Trunk Mat l l e90 Performance E-Brake & Shift Knob l M3 Tri-Stitched Boots l AL Headlight Retrofit with ZKW Lenses l CobyWheel Wrap w/M3 Stitching l LCM sw 4.5 triple blink and rear fogs l Maple Interior Trim

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    South FL
    Posts
    523
    I'm running the Dinan bar and I love it. Definitely noticed a difference after I installed it.

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