When someone opens the hood of an M3 and wants more carbon in there, a G80 strut brace is usually the first part they look at. It’s also the part we get the most questions about: whether the car already has one, what the torque specs are, and whether it fits the M4 and the G87 M2. The quick answers are that BMW already braces these cars, our CSL-style brace uses the factory mounting points, and the torque values come from the brace’s own instructions. After the brace, we go through our other S58 engine bay parts: the cooling shroud, two engine covers and the headlamp covers.
Key takeaways
- The G80 M3, G82/G83 M4 and G87 M2 all use the S58 engine, and every part in this guide lists all three cars in its fitment.
- BMW fits bracing between the strut towers, bulkhead and nose of these cars from the factory.
- Our CSL-style strut brace is prepreg dry carbon and uses the OEM mounting points with no permanent modifications.
- Torque the brace to the values in the instructions that come with it, with a torque wrench.
- The cooling shroud is our best-selling engine bay carbon part. It comes with self-tapping screws.
- Carbon engine covers need the M emblem moved over from your original cover.
Why one set of engine bay parts fits the M3, M4 and M2
All three cars share the same engine. BMW’s US press release for the 2021 M3 and M4 calls it “the new S58 powerplant,” and BMW’s launch release for the new M2 says “the S58 engine in the new M2 outguns the unit in its predecessor by 48 hp.” You can read both on the BMW Group PressClub M3/M4 page and the M2 launch page.
A shared engine doesn’t prove every bracket lines up, so check each product page’s fitment list. For every part in this post, it reads: BMW G80 M3 2021–2027, BMW G82/G83 M4 2021–2027 and BMW G87 M2 2023–2027.
If you want to browse by car, start from the engine bay pages for the G80 M3, the G82 M4 or the G87 M2.
Does the G80 M3 already have a strut brace?
Yes. BMW builds bracing into the front of these cars. The M3/M4 press release says: “At the front of the new M3 and M4, bracing connects the two shock towers together, the shock towers with the bulkhead and with the front end of the vehicle.”
The M2 gets the same idea. BMW’s M2 release says “the torsional stiffness of the front is further increased by unique links connecting the individual spring strut towers with one another and with the nose of the vehicle and the bulkhead.”
So any aftermarket G80 strut brace is going onto a car that’s already braced. Since the factory bracing is structural, a brace that bolts to those points has to be fitted and tightened properly.
Where the “CSL style” name comes from
The M4 CSL got its own brace from BMW. Its press release says: “An intricate cast aluminium strut brace takes the body rigidity of the new BMW M4 CSL to another level, with agility and steering precision optimised to maximum effect while minimising material use and weight.”
Our listing calls our brace “CSL style” and says it “delivers the aggressive CSL look.” Ours is carbon rather than cast aluminum, and it isn’t a BMW part.
What our CSL-style carbon strut brace is
This is what the CSL-style carbon strut brace listing says about it:
- It’s pre-preg dry carbon fiber, “vacuum-formed and autoclave cured.”
- It was “designed using 3D scanning and precision molds.”
- It “installs using OEM mounting points with no permanent modifications required.”
- The finish is a gloss UV-resistant clear coat over a 2×2 carbon weave.
- It fits the 2021+ G80 M3, 2021+ G82/G83 M4 and 2023+ G87 M2.
On function, the listing says that “by reinforcing the front shock towers, the brace helps reduce chassis flex under hard cornering, improving steering response and front-end stability.” We haven’t published test figures for that, so take it as what the brace is designed to do.
At the time of writing (October 2026), the brace is $1,449. Prices change, so check the product page.
G80 strut brace torque specs: where to find them
We get this question for both the G80 and the G87. Our listing doesn’t print torque values and we can’t quote BMW’s factory figures here, so you won’t find numbers in this post. Here’s what to do instead:
- Use the torque values in the instructions that come with your brace. Different braces can use different bolts, washers and steps.
- Use a torque wrench instead of tightening by feel.
- Check whether the sheet uses torque plus an angle. One other maker’s G8x brace guide uses an angle step on some bolts and says the car must be on the ground. That guide is for their part, though, so go by your own sheet.
- If anything in the box doesn’t match your car, stop and contact us before you install it.
If you have fitting questions before you buy, text us at 609-525-4865.
The cooling shroud
Our best-selling engine bay carbon part is the cooling shroud, a wide carbon panel with cut-outs and mounting tabs (see the photo below). It’s $499 at the time of writing.
The carbon cooling shroud listing describes it as dry carbon fiber with a clear, shiny twill surface. For install, it says “precision holes, free self-tapping screws included in the package,” with “no modification.” The shroud is CNC molded and test installed on real cars.
Carbon engine covers: XTRA WIDE or OEM shape
We sell two carbon engine covers for the S58. Both are $699 at the time of writing, and both fit the same three cars.
- The XTRA WIDE engine cover is the one most people buy.
- The OEM-shape engine cover is listed as our “OEM engine cover.”
Both listings say they’re prepreg carbon fiber, and both say “the M emblem must be transferred from your original engine cover.” Keep the factory cover’s badge safe when you swap. To pick between the two, compare the fitted photos on each product page.
Carbon headlamp covers
The carbon headlamp covers are a pair of panels that sit on either side of the engine bay, as the photos below show. According to the listing they’re prepreg carbon fiber with a glossy finish, and they’re covered by our fitment guarantee. They’re $573.85 at the time of writing.
There are no install steps on the listing, so if you want to know what’s involved, ask us before you order.
The S58 engine bay parts compared
Everything here comes from our listings, with prices at the time of writing (October 2026).
| Part | What the listing says it does | How it fits (per listing) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSL-style strut brace | Reinforces the front shock towers, helps reduce chassis flex | OEM mounting points, no permanent modifications | $1,449 |
| Cooling shroud | “Create a new iconic look” | Self-tapping screws included, no modification | $499 |
| XTRA WIDE engine cover | Lightweight prepreg cover for the engine | Move the M emblem from your original cover | $699 |
| OEM-shape engine cover | Lightweight prepreg cover for the engine | Move the M emblem from your original cover | $699 |
| Headlamp covers | Carbon panels beside the engine bay | Ask us | $573.85 |
All five list the G80 M3, G82/G83 M4 and G87 M2. If you’re also thinking about protection under the bumper, our oil cooler guard guide covers that part.
Heat and carbon fiber in the engine bay
A carbon part is fibers held in resin, and it’s the resin that sets the heat limit. Composite supplier Easy Composites lists a maximum service temperature of 115°C for its XC110 prepreg. It sells a high-temperature resin rated to 170°C and says carbon engine bay parts are a common use for it. Those are their materials, not ours, but the gap between the two ratings shows how much the resin changes things.
Our engine cover listings say a prepreg cover “can withstand high temperatures without deforming or losing its structural integrity.” We don’t publish a temperature rating for the resin in our parts, so if that number matters for your build, ask us.
For more on how prepreg differs from cheaper wet-layup parts, see our prepreg vs wet layup guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does the G80 M3 come with a strut brace from the factory?
Yes. BMW’s press release for the 2021 M3 and M4 says bracing connects the two shock towers to each other and to the bulkhead and the front end. An aftermarket brace like ours bolts to those factory mounting points.
What are the torque specs for a G80 or G87 strut brace?
Use the values in the instructions that come with your brace, and tighten with a torque wrench. Not every brace uses the same hardware, and some sheets add an angle step after the torque. Text us at 609-525-4865 with fitting questions before you buy.
Does the same strut brace fit the G87 M2?
Our CSL-style brace lists the 2021+ G80 M3, the 2021+ G82/G83 M4 and the 2023+ G87 M2. All three cars use the S58 engine.
Will a G80 strut brace fit a G20 3 Series?
Our brace’s fitment list doesn’t include the G20 3 Series. We only promise fit for the cars listed on the product page, so ask us before ordering for any other car.
Do I need to move my M emblem to a carbon engine cover?
Yes. Both of our carbon engine cover listings say the M emblem must be transferred from your original engine cover.
Can carbon fiber handle engine bay heat?
That comes down to the resin. Composite suppliers rate each resin system to a maximum service temperature. Our listings don’t give a number for our parts, so ask us if your build runs hot.
Which S58 engine bay part should you start with?
The cooling shroud is our best seller in this group and also the cheapest. The CSL-style brace bolts to structural mounting points, so take the most care installing that one. The engine covers and headlamp covers are mostly about looks. For small carbon parts that go well with these, see our small carbon parts guide, and full builds are in three G80 and G82 carbon builds.
Our fitment guarantee: “If a part doesn’t fit the vehicle listed on its product page, contact us before installing and we’ll cover the return shipping for a refund or replacement.” You can return uninstalled parts within 14 days, but painted or installed parts can’t be returned. Our 1-year warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. It doesn’t cover accidents, impacts or road debris, or damage from improper installation. Most orders ship within 5 business days.
See every part in our engine carbon fiber category, or text us at 609-525-4865.
