I want to replace ALL the rear bushings

[Lair]

Does anyone sell a complete kit?

This car is a vert. It's never going to see track use, but it will be driven enthusiastically.

Should I get urethane, or solid rubber? Where's the best place to get them?

[2002maniac]

stock rubber is nice (and cheap) but urethane is easier to install.

I have AKG 75D TA and subframe bushings and I love them. We put brand new factory rubber in my brothers car and it also handles very well and is not quite as stiff. Another factor to consider with urethane is squeakiness. Some people have problems, some dont. when I installed mine I was very liberal with the Mobil1 synthetic grease and to this day I have not heard a single peep.

http://akgmotorsport.com/e30products.html

Fap99.com has good prices on the stock rubber
here are the P#'s
BMW075114
BMW034877

consider doing shock mounts at the same time. E46M3 convertible mounts are the toughest factory parts.

[Lair]

I already have the RSM, but I don't know how far to go with the rest of the rear.

I have stuff that will eliminate any squeaks, but I'm not sure I want a kidney-bashing ride. I'd be happy with anything that's comparable to my e36 m3.

[2002maniac]

I think you will be happy with rubber. do the diff mount too.

[Sam Cogley]

I've never felt that poly bushings in other vehicles gave a "kidney-bashing" ride. The only thing that's slowing me down on the E30 is the high price of poly for it compared to most other vehicles.

[matt]

I would do all stock rubber for a street car.

Poly is SUPER annoying on the street.

[Lair]

Looks like it's stock rubber for me then. I'll do poly when I build a spec car.


I found a deal on ebay that looks like strips of plastic that jam into the cavities on stock bushings. Looks kinda cheesy, but they might be a good way to stiffen up the stockers without spending a fortune or going with poly.

Any of you guys have any experience with the concept?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-e30-REAR-SUBFRAME-BUSHING-UPGRADE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33583QQihZ013QQitemZ230264649004QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[2002maniac]

Looks like it's stock rubber for me then. I'll do poly when I build a spec car.


I found a deal on ebay that looks like strips of plastic that jam into the cavities on stock bushings. Looks kinda cheesy, but they might be a good way to stiffen up the stockers without spending a fortune or going with poly.

Any of you guys have any experience with the concept?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-e...spagenameZWDVW

my car had those installed when I bought it. :rofl

I really doubt they do anything.

[Sam Cogley]

I would do all stock rubber for a street car.

Poly is SUPER annoying on the street.

What kind of poly are we talking about? I've never had a problem with it in my other street cars.

[Mako18]

+1 I have every urethane bushing IE sells and my car is actually nice to ride in. Now that will prob change when I change my springs/strut setup for GC and stiffer rates.

[brickwhite]

Advice

I regret putting the AGK Poly Subframe and TA bushings in. I have a 91 Cabrio and it squeaks all the time. It handles a little better, but I'm really thinking about buying rubber and changing them out. If you like the stock feel (which is pretty good) and sound I would stick with rubber. With a cabrio you really hear all the sounds too.

Brick

[Sam Cogley]

Squeaking poly = improperly greased.

[CorvallisBMW]

FYI I just replaced every bushing in my vert too. I went with all OEM rubber, it's not like rubber is too soft for performance driving. Urethane is pretty harsh for street use, and the benefits are negligable unless you are out on the track working your car pretty hard (which usually can't be done in a vert due to rollover protection restrictions). I'd go with rubber, I am more than happy with my setup. If you still feel it needs to be stiffer, get a bigger sway bar or stiffer springs.

[gearheadE30]

Another FYI-I just went with all AKG stuff in the softest grades they offered for streetablility, and I have had no squeaking problems and the ride isn't much worse. Granted, I've never driven an e30 with new original rubber bits, so I can't compare the handling. The ride may be a bit stiffer, but I really can't tell.

[KenC]

I just had Powerflex rear subframe bushings (purple street ones), and IE (street) trailing arm bushings and I have NO harshness or squeaking of any kind.