Powerflex E82 Manuall Rear Subframe Inserts

[RimasRS]

Originally Posted by nato-main-man-5am

Bummer! Just stumbled across this thread. Was getting ready to order from Powerflex and than the Whileline one's were introduced to me. Though the lower price is appealing (and this is a DD so I don't need ultimate firmness from them, in fact, my spine will probably prefer I don't go super firm, considering the streets in Cali), the idea they are even easier than the Powerflex to install, because each insert comes in two parts sounded perfect for a novice DYI_er like me.

Still tempted by the powerflex, then...

I have a 128i, automatic transmission, non sport, though I bought the OEM sport suspension -- but I think that doesn't change what I oder from powerflex.

If I go with Powerflex, I need the following two items, right?

BMW E8X 1 Series (2008+) Rear Subframe Front Mount Insert
http://powerflexusa.com/bmwe81e82e87...-pfr5-419.aspx
for $83

and

BMW E8X 1 Series (2008+) Rear Subframe Rear Mounting Insert
http://powerflexusa.com/bmwe81e82e87...-pfr5-421.aspx
for $83

right?

Right. But I think searching through vendors you would find whitelines also.

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by nato-main-man-5am

If I go with Powerflex, I need the following two items, right?
BMW E8X 1 Series (2008+) Rear Subframe Front Mount Insert
http://powerflexusa.com/bmwe81e82e87...-pfr5-419.aspx
for $83

and

BMW E8X 1 Series (2008+) Rear Subframe Rear Mounting Insert
http://powerflexusa.com/bmwe81e82e87...-pfr5-421.aspx
for $83

right?

Correct. Just added part #'s to my previous post.

Now You & I have to decide between regular "yellow" or "black". Im in your shoes with the bad roads and bad back, but Im undecided myself as to which type of inserts to get. Reason is, the OEM bushings that we end up keeping on the car, are still buttery soft.

Based on above, how much of a difference will the regular yellow inserts make? The next step up with difficulty of installation + labor are the 2-piece poly bushings (extraction of OEM bushing is required), and then the one-piece M3 rubber bushings (extraction of OEM bushing is required).

[dcaron9999]

Regular Yellow Powerflex Bushing Inserts here:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...419/ES2651571/
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...421/ES2651571/

Stiffer "Racing" black Powerflex Bushing Inserts here:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...19b/ES2651728/
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...21b/ES2651728/

Regular Yellow 2-piece Powerflex Bushing replacements here:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...420/ES2651333/
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...422/ES2651333/

Stiffer "Racing" 2-piece Powerflex Bushing replacements here:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...20b/ES2650550/
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...22b/ES2650550/

[dcaron9999]

Received this recommendation from Bimmerworld:

"Being that your car is street/track duty, I would actually recommend going with the full Powerflex subframe bushings in the high durometer black. Subframe bushings typically do not cause much NVH if that’s one of your main worries. Things like engine and transmission mounts are where most of the NVH is created when going with stiffer components."

[dcaron9999]

Apologies for my post stating that Whiteline parts were back ordered in North America...

This place has them in stock (USA)...

Inserts: http://www.aftermarketsuspensionpart...sp?prod=KDT918
Full bushings: http://www.aftermarketsuspensionpart...sp?prod=KDT917

Thanks to "nato-main-man-5am" for the lead!

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by dcaron9999

Apologies for post about back ordered Whiteline parts in North America.
This place has them in stock (USA)...
Inserts: http://www.aftermarketsuspensionpart...sp?prod=KDT918
Full bushings: http://www.aftermarketsuspensionpart...sp?prod=KDT917

Thanks to "nato-main-man-5am" for the lead!

I wonder why it says they are only for up to 2012 models? I would think the 2013 models would be the same.

[dcaron9999]

Got this note from the Design and Development manager at PowerFlex:

"The rear bushes give the best control of the subframe but are harder to fit (getting the old bush out is the worse part!) and can add to the NVH in the Black material.

The Inserts do work very well and block some of the movement with reported improvements over the standard car, if the original bushes are badly worn best to change the bushes.

Both options have advantages over the standard set up, obviously for the best control of the subframe in track conditions is the complete black series bushes.

The yellow bushes still offer a firmer location of the subframe over the standard bush and would be more comfortable on the road."

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by dcaron9999

Regular Yellow Powerflex Bushing Inserts here:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...419/ES2651571/
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...421/ES2651571/

Stiffer "Racing" black Powerflex Bushing Inserts here:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...19b/ES2651728/
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...21b/ES2651728/

Regular Yellow 2-piece Powerflex Bushing replacements here:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...420/ES2651333/
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...422/ES2651333/

Stiffer "Racing" 2-piece Powerflex Bushing replacements here:
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...20b/ES2650550/
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-135...22b/ES2650550/

You listed same part numbers twice, I think you meant to include front and rears?


I'm with you, I'm leaning towards the black inserts due to ease of install and a more "stealthy" appearance, ie less hassle from dealer. The black inserts will obviously provide a softer ride as compared to the black race bushings, but I wonder how they compare to the yellow bushings? I always prefer oe rubber over poly. I've seen too many poly bushings crack over time, rubber does the job. But oe rubber + inserts/limiters are a great compromise imo.

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

I wonder how Powerflex black inserts compare to M3 bushings.

Im not sure I like the idea of adding extra height (thickness of insert rim) between OEM bushing and subframe.


I just snapped a pic of my rear driver side bushing. Notice all the openings, versus a solid M3 bushing. My stock bushing seemed in good shape, but it is not too hard to move the subframe by 2 cm with a crowbar.



Measures about 3.25" in diameter ...



Picture of a 1m/M3 solid bushing ...

[nato-main-man-5am]

Originally Posted by Iron Man

I wonder why it says they are only for up to 2012 models? I would think the 2013 models would be the same.

I was wrong -- or rather the vendor was wrong, listing multiple sets in stock on their web site.

Got a call indicating they too are not going to have stock "until December". Urgh. I've got the OEM sport suspension "ready to install" in the shed, and wanted to do the inserts at the same time, so I only need to get one alignment.

Now to decide whether Powerflex at treble the price for their inserts is worth it from a quality perspective and not just a "it's available now" perspective....

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by nato-main-man-5am

Now to decide whether Powerflex at treble the price for their inserts is worth it from a quality perspective and not just a "it's available now" perspective....

If you choose powerflex yellow or black ("racing" inserts), you are less than $100 away from OEM M3 1-piece solid bushings with the pricing on the powerflex.

I personally decided to pull the plug on the M3 bushings, and keep the car with M3 components where possible/logical. The inserts seem like a band aid solution to me, leading up to an eventaul full bushing replacement in the future.

There are so many great DIY's out there for the bushing extraction and insertion, that I got confident, and will tackle the job as a DIY. I was lucky and stumbled across a free tool rental arrangement in my location. Canadian Tire rents a bushing tool kit for free for 72 hours, as a courtesy to their customers.

[nato-main-man-5am]

I look at it as 1 hour versus 8 hours of work, but of course I am not tracking my car. My next 8 hour job is upgrading to the sport suspension.

But I understand and applaud your approach!

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by nato-main-man-5am

I look at it as 1 hour versus 8 hours of work, but of course I am not tracking my car. My next 8 hour job is upgrading to the sport suspension.

But I understand and applaud your approach!

I understand your approach as well - its great to have options. Let me know how everything turns out, and I will do the same in this thread eventually.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by nato-main-man-5am

I was wrong -- or rather the vendor was wrong, listing multiple sets in stock on their web site.

Got a call indicating they too are not going to have stock "until December". Urgh. I've got the OEM sport suspension "ready to install" in the shed, and wanted to do the inserts at the same time, so I only need to get one alignment.

Now to decide whether Powerflex at treble the price for their inserts is worth it from a quality perspective and not just a "it's available now" perspective....

You'll certainly save yourself some labor and some headache if you do the bushings and rear suspension together, but the bushings don't require an alignment after install, so don't let that stop you from doing the suspension sooner if that's the only thing holding you back.

And really, the only work you'll be doing again (the second time around) for the bushing install is getting the car on jack stands and rear tires off. It's a pretty fast and simple job. My biggest problem is that I let the subframe down too far I think - made getting the front inserts easy (which some folks have said they had a problem with, but I had a little bit of trouble getting the front bolts torqued down hard enough. My car was in the shop a couple of weeks later, and so I had them check all 4 bolts as a favor, and they said the 2 rears were godd, but they had to tighten the two fronts. For whatever that's worth.

[nato-main-man-5am]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

You'll certainly save yourself some labor and some headache if you do the bushings and rear suspension together, but the bushings don't require an alignment after install, so don't let that stop you from doing the suspension sooner if that's the only thing holding you back.

And really, the only work you'll be doing again (the second time around) for the bushing install is getting the car on jack stands and rear tires off. It's a pretty fast and simple job. My biggest problem is that I let the subframe down too far I think - made getting the front inserts easy (which some folks have said they had a problem with, but I had a little bit of trouble getting the front bolts torqued down hard enough. My car was in the shop a couple of weeks later, and so I had them check all 4 bolts as a favor, and they said the 2 rears were godd, but they had to tighten the two fronts. For whatever that's worth.

That's very good to hear. Means I can do the suspension when I get time and not wait on the bushing inserts.