soft urethane???

[winstontj]

how many of you guys run the IE or BavAuto soft urethane bushings on DD cars? How harsh are they?

Thinking about doing the whole car as well as trans & possibly motor.

[Kruzen]

squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek squeek

[BM5W]

I have AKG urethane subframe bushings... i didn't notice that much of a difference noise wise... but I have IE3 springs, bilstein sports, and treehouse racing arms (solid control arm bushings).

I'd get the urethane engine mounts before getting the urethane tranny mounts. I have the urethane engine mounts and they made the car louder at idle, but I did not notice a different above 1k rpm. The tranny mounts are suppose to make a much bigger difference.

I have no squeeking problems.

[winstontj]

squeek

First of all that's total BS IMO.

Second I'm coming from a 2002 with stahl header, 292 cam, no sterio or sound proofing, urethane/delrin suspension & motor mounts, solid diff & rear subframe mounts, ST springs, BIG bars, HD shocks, brake booster delete, no power steering(stock)

I'm not worried about a little squeak when I go over a speed bump or pull into a steep driveway. I like that urethane is easy to install but I don't want the harshness of going over rough roads like I have now in the 2002. I want something stiffer than new stock but WAY softer than solid (delrin) and a little more forgiving than stiff urethane. I also want to be able to introduce my gf (almost fiance) to driving schools in this car so I want something capable but also I realize that she doesn't ever go more than 5 over regardless.

I'm wondering what the difference is. I'm torn between traditional urethane and the new stuff. Also how does the new stuff hold up? Any better/worse than traditional urethane?

Thanks for your replies. Kruzen;681425 I meant no disrespect. My e30 has ST springs with Sports, f & r strut bars, a 4.10diff and it rides like a 7series compared to my old car. I've had urethane in several cars and it only seems to squeak when you are driving slow over speed bumps & other big suspension travel terrain.

Biggest concern is reliability. stock rubber will last at least 10 years with no major oil leaks if installed correctly. Urethane (traditional) can last as long or if you get a bad batch as short as a year - but can be installed in a day. I have no idea about the new softer stuff.

[Jand3rson]

I'll never understand this desire by people to replace all the busings on their daily driven cars with urethane units, or install things like Treehouse Racing CAB's.

Your car does NOT NEED urethane bushings. The stock rubber bushings on your car are 20 years old. New OEM rubber bushings ARE NOT going to feel like squishy, cracked 20 year old rubber, they are going to be like night and day. Save your money, buy OEM rubber bushings, and spend the extra few hundred you'll spend on a whole car of urethane bushings on other maintenence items.

And if you're coming from a car with that many solid and urethane bushings, why are you asking what they're going to feel like?

[winstontj]

The car has all new OE rubber as of about 8 months ago. I'm asking because I want what what I can't have of course :-)

I came from a 90% solid suspenion and what was not solid was stiff urethane. This new "soft" urethane is a new thing to me. I don't know a thing about it other than I assume that it's as easy to install as regular urethane. I'm with you on stock german engineering. I sought out to buy BONE STOCK e30 and ended up with one that's been done up quite a bit. Soon motor, gearbox, diff & shock tower mounts will need replacing but suspension is for another day. I'm just kicking tires and wondering simply what do the soft urethane bushings feel like? More like rubber or more like traditional?

[2002maniac]

Soft urethane was a new Idea to me as well until recently. I ordered a set of urethane subframe mounts from IE and when I got them I was surprised that I could noticeably squish them with my fingers. They are the Black compound 70a.

I have not installed them yet, but I dont expect them to be as stiff as the rock hard urethane I had in my '02 back in the day.

and Josh, just because you dont need urethane bushings, doesnt mean they are not useful for some people.

[1991 318is]

I've replaced all of the bushings on my 91 318is with OEM and it is like a new car. One exception I would consider if doing it over would be solid rubber front control arm bushings - straight up or offset type. Same with brake lines. New rubber is a world of difference. I don't track or Auto-X. I just like a good handling street car for a daily driver. Lowering springs that are just a bit stiffer than stock and M3 links with a stock sway bar - way stiffer. The only other mods are an E36 rack and a short shift kit (E46 328i lever). Fun!

[winstontj]

I was under the car today & got a good gauge of the state of the union so to speak. The car could do with rear suspension refresh within a year (this summer) and front within the next year or two as everything is nice, new & tight at present. I guess I'll ask around in a few months about the soft urethane stuff... Thanks all!

[Mike325]

If you want soft urethane go to akg. They have bushings with a softer or harder compound.

[nando]

everything on my car except the cabs are urethane, and those are solid offsets.. I've never heard any squeaks.

also, if you are spending hundreds of dollars on urethane bushings, I have a bridge I need to sell you...

[winstontj]

everything on my car except the cabs are urethane, and those are solid offsets.. I've never heard any squeaks.

also, if you are spending hundreds of dollars on urethane bushings, I have a bridge I need to sell you...

You guys are a tough bunch! Why cant a guy pick up a 19 year old car (mfd 7/88) and put a little into it? I'm not even talking $1,000!!!

I suppose I should ask if there is anything else that you guys feel that my hard earned money would be better spent on??

[RobertK]

I likes the soft urethane cause it does last longer and is resistant to oil.

Ely's car (rs4pro3) has urethane all the way around and the only time I noticed his car squeak is when he was turning & backing up or making a slow sharp turn to park.

[E30 Wagen]

I'll never understand this desire by people to replace all the busings on their daily driven cars with urethane units, or install things like Treehouse Racing CAB's.

Your car does NOT NEED urethane bushings. The stock rubber bushings on your car are 20 years old. New OEM rubber bushings ARE NOT going to feel like squishy, cracked 20 year old rubber, they are going to be like night and day. Save your money, buy OEM rubber bushings, and spend the extra few hundred you'll spend on a whole car of urethane bushings on other maintenence items.

And if you're coming from a car with that many solid and urethane bushings, why are you asking what they're going to feel like?

+743985792873459718634

I have the bavauto bushings and IE TA bushings, and it sucks for daily. And it's harder on your diff.

[winstontj]

+743985792873459718634

I have the bavauto bushings and IE TA bushings, and it sucks for daily. And it's harder on your diff.

Which bushings do you have? Traditional Urethane or the specific SOFT urethane that IE & BavAuto (as well as others) now sell?

How is it harder on your diff?