Mason front bar (review)

EricSMG · Fri, Apr-06-2012, 02:37:57 AM

Yeah buddy! The bar is gorgeous to look at.... wow. Super tight fit, had to get a little creative with a floor jack and unloading the suspension, but it just barely fit.

Initial impressions are a more rigid front, a refined feel if you will. The cowl and steering column/wheel shake less over bumps. I can't say the car handles better, but it sure does feel better. With the xbrace and rear Mason bar installed, the car is very solid and in the realm of an E46 M3 in terms of "taughtness". I'm very very pleased with it - I've never been this pleased with an E36 M3. Basically - the car feels better over bumps and broken surfaces, less sloppy, more like a newer car. I'll post back after a few more miles.

Out of the Xbrace, rear Mason and front Mason, the biggest improvement is from the rear bar. I can't wait for the floor/diff mount to finish her off.

mason_front.jpg

KWorker17 · Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:10:37 AM

Nice pick-up! Ive always liked that bar. Aluminum or steel?

jeremy5000 · Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:25:32 AM

Now this I like, but want more thoughts after you have it for a little.

EricSMG · Sun, Apr-08-2012, 06:16:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy5000

Now this I like, but want more thoughts after you have it for a little.

Peformance driving update - I was able to push the car hard on my favorite "test" road with the rear and front bars installed (previous drive down this road was X-brace only) and the car feels amazing. It's way more solid, especially over the bumps. High speed bumps, ripples, ridges, cracks, holes, etc., are much better with the front bar installed. The front half of the car doesn't crash and feel like it's going to explode now. And on top of that, it actually rides nicer. I'm extremely pleased.

If you push your car hard and enjoy precision and are in-tune with what the car is doing, you'll love these Mason braces. In my opinion, they should be mod #1 - everything else should come after.

Rear diff/floor brace and TCKs coming soon.

EricSMG · Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:26:13 AM

Steel - I like the stealthy gloss black and the $50 savings

KWorker17 · Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:27:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricSMG

Steel - I like the stealthy gloss black and the $50 savings

Nice. What happened to the Estoril?

cscat87 · Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:33:10 AM

Looks good! I plan on buying everything in one shot and having a blown-away experience. X-brace, front bar, rear bar, diff mount.

EricSMG · Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:38:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscat87

Looks good! I plan on buying everything in one shot and having a blown-away experience. X-brace, front bar, rear bar, diff mount.

OMG that'll be so sick! You won't believe it.

Now I feel like the car can handle some stout coilovers without falling apart

EricSMG · Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:31:14 AM

Gonsky - wanted something younger, cleaner and with a mint black interior. Found it

KWorker17 · Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:33:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricSMG

Gonsky - wanted something younger, cleaner and with a mint black interior. Found it

Haha nice. Same way I like my women (minus the black interior).

Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:10:37 AM	#2
KWorker17 Brett Favre of M3's Join Date: Jun 2004 Age: 27 Posts: 3,871 Reputation: 0 Location: Boston	Re: Mason front bar (review) Nice pick-up! Ive always liked that bar. Aluminum or steel? __________________ Kevin

Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:25:32 AM	#3
jeremy5000 Gone Squatchin' Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,265 Reputation: 0 Location: West Chester, PA	Re: Mason front bar (review) Now this I like, but want more thoughts after you have it for a little. __________________ FS: Bride Seat Rails and Sliders for Lexus IS300

Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:26:13 AM	#5
EricSMG 30 something Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6,603 Reputation: 0 Location: San Diego	Re: Mason front bar (review) Steel - I like the stealthy gloss black and the $50 savings __________________ *'98 Cosmos M3/4/5 \|\| '01 330Ci 5MT*

Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:33:10 AM	#7
cscat87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,540 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 Convertible '97 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Long Island, NY	Re: Mason front bar (review) Looks good! I plan on buying everything in one shot and having a blown-away experience. X-brace, front bar, rear bar, diff mount. __________________ 03 M3 Convertible 6-spd- Alpine White/Cinnamon 97 M3 Coupe 5-spd- Cosmos/Black

Fri, Apr-06-2012, 03:31:14 AM	#9
EricSMG 30 something Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6,603 Reputation: 0 Location: San Diego	Re: Mason front bar (review) Gonsky - wanted something younger, cleaner and with a mint black interior. Found it __________________ *'98 Cosmos M3/4/5 \|\| '01 330Ci 5MT*

Fri, Apr-06-2012, 02:37:57 AM	#1
EricSMG 30 something Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6,603 Reputation: 0 Location: San Diego	Mason front bar (review) Yeah buddy! The bar is gorgeous to look at.... wow. Super tight fit, had to get a little creative with a floor jack and unloading the suspension, but it just barely fit. Initial impressions are a more rigid front, a refined feel if you will. The cowl and steering column/wheel shake less over bumps. I can't say the car handles better, but it sure does feel better. With the xbrace and rear Mason bar installed, the car is very solid and in the realm of an E46 M3 in terms of "taughtness". I'm very very pleased with it - I've never been this pleased with an E36 M3. Basically - the car feels better over bumps and broken surfaces, less sloppy, more like a newer car. I'll post back after a few more miles. Out of the Xbrace, rear Mason and front Mason, the biggest improvement is from the rear bar. I can't wait for the floor/diff mount to finish her off. mason_front.jpg __________________ *'98 Cosmos M3/4/5 \|\| '01 330Ci 5MT*

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