Anyone running Whiteline/Prothane or Powerflex Rear Subframe Bushings?

[klick]

I am about to do an overhaul to my suspension on my 2010 128i by adding 2011 135i M-Sport shocks and springs, M3 front control arm kit, and a MFactory LSD.

The only thing I am unsure about is which rear subframe bushings to install.

I know everyone here raves about the M3 ones, but to be honest, those are expensive in both price and installation costs in comparison to the alternatives.

I have been looking seriously into the Whiteline bushings, and I was wondering if anyone has been running them and how they feel about them.

The inserts are a no-go since the car I bought has almost 80k miles on it, and I know that replacing the parts will be necessary soon.

If anyone can share their experiences with the alternatives to the M3 bushings it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[brocklanders]

I have them, installed them in my garage with a Bentley manual and the hp removal tool. If I were to do it over I would do solid bushings in the subframe, I was worried about nvh but haven't experienced any at all. I have whiteline poly in my subframe and tension struts, my goal is to go full poly front and rear with the exception of the diff bushings and maybe down the road switch to solid subframe bushes.

[slonik]

klick
i've used custom solid mounts in subframe.
all works great.

on new m4 and m5 rear subframe fits solid with no rubber from factory.

[ian48]

I'm running AKG black and they are awesome. No increase in noise but they do provide the desired effect of removing the wiggle from the back.
Very easy to install once you get the old ones out.
I highly recommend them.

[_Ryan_]

I have whiteline. If you're in there, do the Turner solid Alu subframe bushes.

Personally I'd also do the M3 bars whilst in there and never drop the frame again!

[Fidiman]

My chassis is almost finished. For the moment, I have Powerflex Black inserts, very easy to install them when subframe is slightly dropped.

I'm thinking doing the job once again but this time in order to but some AKG or aluminium bushings. I don't know which route to take as I dont't have any press or any extract tools at home ! I would like not to drop all the subframe but slightly lower it ... Any comments ?

Originally Posted by ian48

I'm running AKG black and they are awesome. No increase in noise but they do provide the desired effect of removing the wiggle from the back.
Very easy to install once you get the old ones out.
I highly recommend them.

ian48, did you do the job by your own ? Could you give more details when you said it's very easy to install them, please ?

Thanks a lot

[e36addict]

I have the whiteline bushings. Install wasn't that bad, and the feel is much better. No more wiggly wobbly rear end, and no increased NVH.

[ian48]

Originally Posted by Fidiman

My chassis is almost finished. For the moment, I have Powerflex Black inserts, very easy to install them when subframe is slightly dropped.

I'm thinking doing the job once again but this time in order to but some AKG or aluminium bushings. I don't know which route to take as I dont't have any press or any extract tools at home ! I would like not to drop all the subframe but slightly lower it ... Any comments ?

ian48, did you do the job by your own ? Could you give more details when you said it's very easy to install them, please ?

Thanks a lot

As far as actually installing them once the old ones are out, you just grease the new bushings and push them in to the subframe. No press is needed for this part.

[klick]

Thanks for the reply guys! Looks like the alternatives are just as worthwhile as the OE BMW M3 bushings.

I am very curious about the AKG bushings now though, they seem to be fairly priced as well and if they are fairly easy to install, it might actually prefer them since they are 1-piece bushings..decisions...

[Fidiman]

Thanks ian48 ! Did you use special grease or do AKG give you something for mounting them ? When pushing them in the subrame, did you use a mallet or it could be done by hand ?

Thanks to their profile, I think we just need to lower the subframe for few centimeters ...


klick, that's a very good alternative: I personally didn't and still don't want 1 piece bushings (except solid ones). I found a shop in Sweeden in which you can buy solid aluminium bushings. Installation without press ... Sounds interesting too !

[uberschnell]

White Lines for about 10K, the same performance as the M3 RSFB, and no increase in NVH

Installed them in my driveway.

[Fidiman]

Yeah, it will be more or less the same performance. Only drawback : I don't know the hardness of them.

Any pics of the installation ? They are in two pieces and black, aren't they ?

[Fidiman]

Yeah, they will be more or less the same I think. Only drawback, I don't know the stiffness of them.

Do you have any pics of the installation of the Whiteline bushings ? They are in two pieces and black, aren't they ?

Thanks in advance

[ian48]

I used marine grease which works very well for this application.
They can be pressed in my hand though I did use the two piece ones.
The black ones I have installed are 95A for hardness.
If you need any advice for removing the OE ones, there are plenty of threads for their removal or just send me a PM.

[135TX]

Im about to order Powerflex "race series" black subframe bushing inserts.
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...ngs/ES2651728/

My reason for doing the insert v M3 bushing is that I have neither the appropriate tools, ability or time to remove the bushings and install new ones. and i dont want to throw 800-1000 to someone in labor costs alone. SMH

I do however anticipate dropping the subframe and putting the inserts is well within my capability.

The question I have are,
How long will the recommended/included copper grease I apply to them stay, how long till i need to remove and regrease them, I dont want to deal with squeaking .

How planted will they be compared to stock and vs m3?
Ive heard in terms of rigidity:
stock<whiteline insert<m3 bushing< full poly( various compounds race being stiffest)< aluminum

the difference being im going with Powerflex not whiteline,
Powerflex has "performance"- yellow and "race"-black, the guy at ECS said the race are like 95 or 105 durometer, he wasnt sure FWIW.

So where will I be in the spectrum of stability?
Is this a decent choice?

I have m3 front arms and will eventually do m3 rear upper arms as well...
I will track my car 4-6x a year, but am new to the platform, thx for the help in advance.

[ShocknAwe]

As someone who opted for inserts vs bushings. Don't waste your time. You will be happy for a few weeks, maybe a few months, and then want more. Do it right the first time.

Yeah, it's easy though.

[135TX]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

As someone who opted for inserts vs bushings. Don't waste your time. You will be happy for a few weeks, maybe a few months, and then want more. Do it right the first time.

Yeah, it's easy though.

Thanks for the candid response

In doing research I think I came across your opinion about the inserts.
I was afraid I'd get plenty of feedback like that, but that's what I need...the opinions of those who have done it.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by 135TX

Thanks for the candid response

In doing research I think I came across your opinion about the inserts.
I was afraid I'd get plenty of feedback like that, but that's what I need...the opinions of those who have done it.

Honestly, take advantage of the history folks with these cars have.

The question is this:
Polyurethane bushings, or Aluminum.

M3 bushings are an obvious for the OEM conscious as well. Nothing wrong with that.

[Fidiman]

I had the black inserts. I think, it's something a bit stiffer than the M3 bushing, but that's slight. My OEM bushings are getting older and older, thus I'm thinking about another solution.

Like ShocknAwe said, after, you will want more and more ... So if I were you, I would choose the right solution first. I didn't do that because I was not sure about what I would do with the car and if I would be able to do mechanical jobs on it (and now I know, yes I am). Do like I am doing : searh two pieces bushings, it will be easier than one piece rubbers. Take a look at the Whiteline bushes or AKG ones. If you are crazy, you can go with solid bushings

I think I will personnally go for the AKG ones or the aluminium ones !

[markslc1]

Originally Posted by 135TX

Im about to order Powerflex "race series" black subframe bushing inserts.
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...ngs/ES2651728/

My reason for doing the insert v M3 bushing is that I have neither the appropriate tools, ability or time to remove the bushings and install new ones. and i dont want to throw 800-1000 to someone in labor costs alone. SMH

I do however anticipate dropping the subframe and putting the inserts is well within my capability.

The question I have are,
How long will the recommended/included copper grease I apply to them stay, how long till i need to remove and regrease them, I dont want to deal with squeaking .

How planted will they be compared to stock and vs m3?
Ive heard in terms of rigidity:
stock<whiteline insert<m3 bushing< full poly( various compounds race being stiffest)< aluminum
.

Any update? Interests in knowing what you chose and how it's going. I have the same decision to make soon.

[Bubes29]

I just ordered them today and I'm hoping to install this weekend (depending on how difficult it ends up being).

I have a few manhole covers outside my neighborhood that will be perfect for testing out the whiteline rsfb compared to stock. Whenever I hit them now, my back passenger side kicks out and the entire car pulls right for a brief second. I think that new stiffer bushings should solve that but I'll let you know soon!

FYI for anyone looking into this, now is the time to buy. $25 off if you order online and even ships with Amazon Prime.

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by Bubes29

I just ordered them today and I'm hoping to install this weekend (depending on how difficult it ends up being).

I have a few manhole covers outside my neighborhood that will be perfect for testing out the whiteline rsfb compared to stock. Whenever I hit them now, my back passenger side kicks out and the entire car pulls right for a brief second. I think that new stiffer bushings should solve that but I'll let you know soon!

FYI for anyone looking into this, now is the time to buy. $25 off if you order online and even ships with Amazon Prime.

Did you get (or rent) the tool? Without the tool it is a PITA. Just my 0.02.