Powerflex E82 Manuall Rear Subframe Inserts

[chris82]

I've also decided to go with the power flex. Just curious how many hours to put the m3 ones in?

[PrematureApex]

And bump for reviews on the Whiteline inserts...

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by Chrisar82

I've also decided to go with the power flex. Just curious how many hours to put the m3 ones in?

Depends on your skill level. Without a lift, I'd guess 4-5 hours if you're taking your time/drinking/messing around.

[r0nd3L]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

And bump for reviews on the Whiteline inserts...

The car feels tight them on. However, I have increased driveline vibration on acceleration between 60 and 75mph. I had it before, but it was not as pronounced. Will have to check all the components.

[Katkarot]

I ordered Whiteline inserts last night. When with inserts for simplicity sake and easier/quicker install.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

Depends on your skill level. Without a lift, I'd guess 4-5 hours if you're taking your time/drinking/messing around.

What about a shop? Because I've always heard the main reason people go with the inserts is to save on labor

[ShocknAwe]

Big labor difference. Gotta pull the old bushings to put in the M3 ones. With inserts the labor is just in subframe bolting.

[PrematureApex]

Ok, installed my Whiteline inserts tonight.

The rear inserts literally take 5 minutes. Remove the rear two bolts and drop the inserts in. The fronts are longer, maybe 20 minutes per side? As you have to remove the extra bracing covering the lower side of the bushing.

Also did rotors/pads (first time on this car), so it was a long night. Ugggg.

Anyway...my review?

What everyone says is correct. What is spectacular about them (and probably the full bushing solutions), is that you forget how badly the rear end sucks in this car. No rear steer, no windup and snap on corner exit. It was wet out there, but after a 5 minute drive, the change was evident.

In short, they just let you concentrate on how much the front end sucks. Which is a step in the right direction if we're honest.

Driving home in my E46 M makes me realize just how much more work there is to go...but alas, $40 very well spent.

Not sure full bushings are worth it for a daily or street car...time will tell.

[bdoooh]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

Ok, installed my Whiteline inserts tonight.

The rear inserts literally take 5 minutes. Remove the rear two bolts and drop the inserts in. The fronts are longer, maybe 20 minutes per side? As you have to remove the extra bracing covering the lower side of the bushing.

Also did rotors/pads (first time on this car), so it was a long night. Ugggg.

Anyway...my review?

What everyone says is correct. What is spectacular about them (and probably the full bushing solutions), is that you forget how badly the rear end sucks in this car. No rear steer, no windup and snap on corner exit. It was wet out there, but after a 5 minute drive, the change was evident.

In short, they just let you concentrate on how much the front end sucks. Which is a step in the right direction if we're honest.

Driving home in my E46 M makes me realize just how much more work there is to go...but alas, $40 very well spent.

Not sure full bushings are worth it for a daily or street car...time will tell.

Just found them for $45. I am thinking I will pull the trigger.

[Katkarot]

That's great to hear.

I am scheduled to have inserts and shocks and springs installed this Thursday.

Looking forward to it.

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

Ok, installed my Whiteline inserts tonight.

The rear inserts literally take 5 minutes. Remove the rear two bolts and drop the inserts in. The fronts are longer, maybe 20 minutes per side? As you have to remove the extra bracing covering the lower side of the bushing.

Also did rotors/pads (first time on this car), so it was a long night. Ugggg.

Anyway...my review?

What everyone says is correct. What is spectacular about them (and probably the full bushing solutions), is that you forget how badly the rear end sucks in this car. No rear steer, no windup and snap on corner exit. It was wet out there, but after a 5 minute drive, the change was evident.

In short, they just let you concentrate on how much the front end sucks. Which is a step in the right direction if we're honest.

Driving home in my E46 M makes me realize just how much more work there is to go...but alas, $40 very well spent.

Not sure full bushings are worth it for a daily or street car...time will tell.

[ShocknAwe]

Thinking about pulling the trigger as well. Did you use a second jack to lower the subframe to access the front bushings?

I am "worried" that by getting these it will make it immediately necessary to upgrade the front control arms. They already bug me a little and that's with a stock rear end. When I say worried I mean my wallet is worried about another bout of full blown mod-bug.

[bdoooh]

Ordered! For $50 shipped off awdmotorsports.com

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Did you use a second jack to lower the subframe to access the front bushings?

No, but you can. For the front bushings, I set the diff onto a jack stand (with the rear bolts threaded maybe 5 turns). Then I raised/lowered whatever side I was working on with a jack at the standard jackpoint to raise/lower the subframe relative to the unibody. Jack up to make room, lower jack to bring the subframe back up.

[r0nd3L]

Those of you who installed Whiteline inserts, do you have any vibration on acceleration between 50 and 80mph?

[MZWIE]

$44 only buys the rear set.

[RimasRS]

Originally Posted by e34m5

$44 only buys the rear set.

Why do you think so?

[MZWIE]

I looked in the web site.

[r0nd3L]

Originally Posted by e34m5

$44 only buys the rear set.

False. It's complete set of inserts for the rear subframe.

[Katkarot]

Just got my car back with M3 fsb, dinan suspension stage 1 and whiteline inserts.

Feels good so far but there is definitely a bit more drivetrain noise or noise in general.

The car feels like one, instead of the back just hopping around. It glides over rather than floats over bumps, if that makes sense. Obviously it's hard to say what improved what but everything works well together. They took out the pin to give it extra camber.
FYI, it cost 1 mechanic hour to do the inserts.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by Katkarot

Just got my car back with M3 fsb, dinan suspension stage 1 and whiteline inserts.

Feels good so far but there is definitely a bit more drivetrain noise or noise in general.

The car feels like one, instead of the back just hopping around. It glides over rather than floats over bumps, if that makes sense. Obviously it's hard to say what improved what but everything works well together. They took out the pin to give it extra camber.
FYI, it cost 1 mechanic hour to do the inserts.

Sounds about right. Again, it doesnt make it an m3, it just lets you focus on the rest of the chassis, but settling down all that rear steer.

[neglectedX5]

Just finished installing my whiteline inserts. For $53 shipped and the hour or so it took me to install, this is an excellent alternative and easy DIY to the M3 bushing replacement. The rear of the car feels so much better. No noise, everything torqued to original specs, I put a few miles on it in the last few days so im going to go back in and recheck everything. I would highly recommend these while you save for that complete ///M upgrade you want to do in the future.

[Freon]

Thanks for the posts guys. Just ordered a set of inserts. Think that will hold me off for now. I trust Whiteline wouldn't produce a product that didn't do a decent job of improving performance even if it isn't as good as a full bushing set.