Looks like I may need rear subframe bushings- recommend a brand?

[clydesdale]

Is oem the way or is there a better aftermarket idea? What are the pros and cons? Thanks.

BTW, do these ever just need to be tightened? I want to verify that mine are indeed shot. Thanks.

[jlevie]

The subframe bolts tighten against a sleeve in the bushing, so they shouldn't ever need tightening.

There are alternatives to the OE bushings. What to use depends on the use the car sees. If this is a daily driver, the OE bushings are the best choice (lowest NVH). A track car can benefit from poly or even solid aluminum bushings. Both of those will increase the NVH.

[clydesdale]

How long will they usually last? I had these replaced 70k miles ago with OEM and the car sees no track time. Thanks.

[jlevie]

It mostly depends on the roads driven, though the atmospheric environment has some affect. I see that you are from New York and my limited experience driving there suggests that 70k may be all you could expect from the bushings (front & rear), control arms, and shocks. There are places in NY that I think that adding up all of the good sections of the roads would not yield a mile of smooth road.

[Simon S]

I'm usually an advocate for OE rubber on street cars -
but for subframe bushings, poly units are nice due to how long they last.

Replacing those bushings isn't something you want to do twice.

Ireland Engineering makes a popular, urethane street bushing

[txtorquemade]

I dont wanna do it even once. But its time to do on my 325is. Gonna start tracking it this Spring.

Suspension and bushings 1st.

[gearheadE30]

AKG. Had good luck with them. I'm running AKG 80A, which is pretty soft and didn't really increase NVH at all.

[jlevie]

I dont wanna do it even once. But its time to do on my 325is. Gonna start tracking it this Spring.

Suspension and bushings 1st.

If you are going to track the car, use poly bushings. The harder the better.

[browntown]

akg

[pegase747]

I will do mine next summer and I will use Powerflex.

They are the most used here in the old world, and I have already the front end in Powerflex.


Hard but comfortable enough for DD.

Cheers Pierre

[MR 325]

Powerflex makes great stuff.

I've done IE street subframe bushings on 3 of my cars so far. I'd recommend them to anyone.

[EN318isPDX]

Powerflex makes great stuff.

I've done IE street subframe bushings on 3 of my cars so far. I'd recommend them to anyone.

+1 my car has more IE products than any other company... They make great products

[KenC]

I have Powerflex ones in my car. I didn't really notice a big NVH increase.

[bzboardz]

i went with powerflex also, will instal this week

[elmercc]

Anyone mind sharing what NVH stands for? :-)