Best subframe bushings

[Mike325]

I am going to pull my subframe out in a few weeks and I am going to upgrade from the stock bushings. I was leaning twards the IE bushings, but I wanted your opinions on what would be best for my setup. To keep it simple, I have eibach springs and bilstine touring shocks. My car is low, but not crazy low. I am not DD my e30 and a harder, stiffer ride is not a big deal. Has anyone tried these from Turner?

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=TDR3080008

What is a good sub frame and trailing arm bushing combo?

Thanks.

[Jand3rson]

I don't think you want to go with solid bushings. Even if your car isn't a DD, solid bushings in any application are generally intended for track use only.

I would go with Powerflex urethane bushings. Go to bimmerworld.com and on the left, go to "suspension/steering" > "Urethane bushings".

[1990m3]

I have IE poly street bushings in my m3 and 318is and I'm satisfied with them. Good fit both times but slow delivery as usual with IE. Next time I buy stuff from AKG

[PiercedE30]

I have the PowerFlex bushings and I like them. A little bit more diff whine but it's not too bad. They are two piece design, one going into the subframe and one piece that "sits" on top of the subframe. Very easy, it seems, to remove if need be, hopefully you won't need to.

Jon

[E30 Wagen]

I have the urethane subframe bushings from bavauto and the IE trailing arm bushings. As I daily my car, I wish I had just stuck with all rubber bushings, but the rear does feel very planted during hard cornering. I would only run urethane or solid bushings for their durability in track situations as I doubt the difference in handling compared to replacement rubber bushings isn't really appreciable for street use.

I wonder what bushings a real BMW race car uses?

[Mike325]

Thanks for the responces guys. I think that I am going to go with the AKG stuff. Seems like a good brand and you can choose between a soft or firmer bushing.

[craz azn]

I wonder what bushings a real BMW race car uses?

Delrin (hard plastic) and/or spherical mounts (aircraft-type/durability metal joints)

[Jand3rson]

I have the urethane subframe bushings from bavauto and the IE trailing arm bushings. As I daily my car, I wish I had just stuck with all rubber bushings, but the rear does feel very planted during hard cornering. I would only run urethane or solid bushings for their durability in track situations as I doubt the difference in handling compared to replacement rubber bushings isn't really appreciable for street use.

I'm going to be replacing my rear subframe and trailing arm bushings this winter, and I'm just going to use OEM rubber ones. Too often, people underestimate the potential of new rubber bushings. Yeah, the rubber ones in our cars are worn to shit now, but they're also 20 years old. My car will see auto-x and occasional sprited driving on fun roads and through the mountains, but that's the extent of it, so urethane chassis bushings are just overkill. So many people that buy all these urethane bushings do so simply because they think it's cool to be running them, when they really don't need them. Before you swap to urethane, evaluate if you really need them.

[nando]

you guys bitching about urethane making your car too harsh are pussies. ;)

[SA E30]

If I could get Urethane Bushes here at a decent price I would rock them.

[Ray McCooney]

I'm going to be replacing my rear subframe and trailing arm bushings this winter, and I'm just going to use OEM rubber ones. Too often, people underestimate the potential of new rubber bushings. Yeah, the rubber ones in our cars are worn to shit now, but they're also 20 years old. My car will see auto-x and occasional sprited driving on fun roads and through the mountains, but that's the extent of it, so urethane chassis bushings are just overkill. So many people that buy all these urethane bushings do so simply because they think it's cool to be running them, when they really don't need them. Before you swap to urethane, evaluate if you really need them.

Amen.

[Mike@PureMS]

I just put in the IE street bushings, along with the IE trailing arm poly bushings. So far no complaints, but then I've only driven about 5 miles so far on them.
The fitment and installation of them was perfect, no complaints. I could see some room for improvement with the trailing arm bushings. All the grease oozes out when you install them since there's no groove anywhere to hold the grease in.

[Mike325]

Is the grove in the bushing or on the TA? Also, is there a grove in the subframe bushing hole?

[FredK]

Yes, there's a groove on opposite sides of the bushing. There's two raised sections in the subframe that correspond to the grooves on the bushings.

[Sean]

I trekked well over 4000 miles on my urethane subframe and trailing arm bushings - combined with my IE3's and Konis, they kickass!

Changing to rubber wouldn't soften up the ride all that much - and I honestly like being able to feel the rear end of my car - I'm more connected to what's going on back there.

Urethane IS NOT THAT stiff - Chris is right...you guys are pussies if you complain about urethane bushings being too stuff. :D They don't need to be pressed in either!