Rubber or urethane replacement?

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  • MINIz guy
    Member
    • Dec 2012
    • 66
    #1

    Rubber or urethane replacement?

    I don't have an E30 but a 318ti so the rear suspension is still very similar. I have BavAuto springs to go along with the car paired up with Bilstein Sport shocks. I plan on autocrossing this car but it will mainly be a daily driver.

    I already bought a Powerflex 80A rear diff bushing. BMW asks the same for the stock bushing, and the Z3M solid rubber one is double that price.

    What type of subframe and trailing arm bushing should I use to compliment this?

    I really want to do Meyle subframe bushings, as they are so much cheaper than IE urethane subframe bushings. I was planning to do the IE RTAB bushings, but would that be overkill with stock rubber subframe bushings?

    Now a 318ti
    Tags: None
    • jlevie
      R3V OG
      • Nov 2006
      • 13530
      #2
      Since the car will mainly be a daily driver, use the OE bushings.
      The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
      Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

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        • MINIz guy
          Member
          • Dec 2012
          • 66
          #3
          How long do OE bushings tend to last?

          I do like the idea of spending under $60 for all new rear bushings, compared to $150 for IE bushings.

          I plan on running 205 width Star Spec tires in the rear. I usually hit up 5 to 6 autocross events a summer, giving me 40 to 50 runs total. Otherwise, I tend to drive 10k miles a year.

          What type of service interval would I expect to see using OE bushings or urethane bushings?

          Now a 318ti

            Comment

            • george graves
              I waste 90% of my day here and all I got was this stupid title
              • Oct 2003
              • 19992
              #4
              Originally posted by MINIz guy
              How long do OE bushings tend to last?
              Well, they last basically forever. They just get loose over time. I'd ballpark it at 80k-100k miles before they could use replacement.

              Most e30 for sale out in the wild have 250k miles on original bushings.
              Originally posted by Matt-B
              hey does anyone know anyone who gets upset and makes electronics?

                Comment

                • MINIz guy
                  Member
                  • Dec 2012
                  • 66
                  #5
                  Great answers guys!

                  That was an easy decision. Less than $60 for new subframe and RTABs instead of going urethane then. I am perfectly fine if I replace the bushings again in 80k miles.

                  Now a 318ti

                    Comment

                    • SkiFree
                      R3VLimited
                      • Jun 2011
                      • 2766
                      #6
                      Originally posted by george graves

                      Most e30 for sale out in the wild have 250k miles on original bushings.
                      Not that means they are still good.

                      I disagree, and frankly alot of this is based on personal preference. For the suspension bushings a softer urethane (like 80a) is an ideal way to get a nice feedback from the car without it feeling harsh. This is what I run 60 miles a day and love it. Where I draw the line is the drivetrain mounts (engine,tranny,diff), those I do in rubber.
                      ADAMS Autosport

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                        • MINIz guy
                          Member
                          • Dec 2012
                          • 66
                          #7
                          Well, I am on a college budget and if I could save $100, I will.

                          I am doing this on an E38 318ti. I just asked the question here since the subframes are basically the same. Of all my urethane choices, Ireland Engineering is the more budget friendly. I could get RTABs and subframe bushes for $150.

                          If I went with OE parts, I could get everything for $55-60.

                          The racer side in my says to go urethane. The college side of me says to go OE rubber. I already have the 80A Powerflex rear diff bushing on order.

                          I plan on hitting up 6 autox's each summer. Possibly 8-10 if my job allows for it. I have 2 sets of 205 width Star Specs for the car, so while the tires are grippy, they won't put as much stress as R-compound tires. I usually average 10k miles a year.

                          Given this information, would you guys still suggest the OE rubber bushes?

                          Now a 318ti

                            Comment

                            • AndrewBird
                              The Mad Scientist
                              • Oct 2003
                              • 11896
                              #8
                              Urethane requires regular greasing. If you don't keep up on it, they will squeak and wear. Stock rubber is install and forget.

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