M3 bushings toast

int2str · 08-20-2013, 12:57 PM

Got my M3 bushings installed February, 2012. Here we are 16 month later and the bushings are officially toast. Not broken, but worn to a point where the rear subframe moves enough under acceleration to make you uneasy in the car...

3 trackdays and about 15 autocrosses since then. No major mileage; 10k miles maybe?

I'm very disappointed....

Has anybody else had any issues with the M3 bushings?
Is there a stronger alternative that doesn't make the car sound/vibrate too badly (still daily driven)?

Dackelone · 08-20-2013, 01:38 PM

Mine are still going strong. And there are MANY 1M's and M3's that are tracked. Perhaps either the bushings were installed incorrectly(I believe they can be installed two ways, the bushing has arrows to indicate which way they should be installed) or you have a parts failure. IF its a parts failure... BMW does warranty them - all BMW parts have a two year unlimited parts warranty. G.L.

mb135is · 08-20-2013, 01:40 PM

People who work on BMWs have told me this basic idea in various forms: M cars handle better than anything else, partly because their suspension components (at least the wear items) are expendable and made to perform very well but not necessarily for very long. This is a general consensus and not scientific. Does it make sense that items that are made to perform better will also not be as durable? Perhaps. Not sure if it's actually true, though.

ilikebmxbikes · 08-20-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb135is

People who work on BMWs have told me this basic idea in various forms: M cars handle better than anything else, partly because their suspension components (at least the wear items) are expendable and made to perform very well but not necessarily for very long. This is a general consensus and not scientific. Does it make sense that items that are made to perform better will also not be as durable? Perhaps. Not sure if it's actually true, though.

Performance often means more wear-and-tear and or maintenance but I don't think it is the case on the m3 bushings. The M3 bushings are much more solid and robust than the soft 135i ones. My M3 bushings are as good as they have ever been and have seen several track days and lots of performance driving and about 15k street miles.

And if bushings failed with the wear OP is claiming, you would be hearing cries about m3 bushing failures on M3post like u hear about wastegate rattle and HPFP's on 1addicts and e90post.

Zombie1 · 08-20-2013, 02:27 PM

It has to be a part Defect or they installed them wrong. Anyone who thinks bmw would sell there m3s with bushings that blow out every year and ahalf are crazy IMHO. OP sorry to ear this hope all works out

mb135is · 08-20-2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

Performance often means more wear-and-tear and or maintenance but I don't think it is the case on the m3 bushings. The M3 bushings are much more solid and robust than the soft 135i ones. My M3 bushings are as good as they have ever been and have seen several track days and lots of performance driving and about 15k street miles.

And if bushings failed with the wear OP is claiming, you would be hearing cries about m3 bushing failures on M3post like u hear about wastegate rattle and HPFP's on 1addicts and e90post.

Makes sense. Must be a defect in those specific parts. Or maybe 10k miles + the stress of autox and track days is about right to expect?

ilikebmxbikes · 08-20-2013, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb135is

Makes sense. Must be a defect in those specific parts. Or maybe 10k miles + the stress of autox and track days is about right to expect?

my vote is you have bad bushings or bad install. My friends have M3's and they thrash on their cars and no issues.

cvc 22349a · 08-20-2013, 11:55 PM

No idea why your bushings have failed.
To answer your question about stronger alternative: Powerflex polyurethane, solid aluminum or delrin, my vote goes to BMW motorsport Group N bushings.

TheSt|G · 08-21-2013, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb135is

Makes sense. Must be a defect in those specific parts. Or maybe 10k miles + the stress of autox and track days is about right to expect?

Stock M3 bushings generally last 100k miles, give or take.

10k miles indicates part defect or incorrect install. I bet the latter.

HP Autosport · 08-21-2013, 03:11 PM

I have never heard of bushings failing that fast. Perhaps bad install or something else is off?

-Mike

Dackelone · 08-21-2013, 04:27 PM

int2str - have you checked the rear suspension(& axle) bolts? Maybe something is loose rather than worn. ???

int2str · 08-22-2013, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

int2str - have you checked the rear suspension(& axle) bolts? Maybe something is loose rather than worn. ???

Yes. The car just had a pre-track inspection done and all suspension parts are tight. The whole subframe can be moved using a tire iron / pry bar pretty easily. My shop even put a 1M on the lift to compare the deflection.

fe1rx · 08-23-2013, 07:27 AM

When you get them changed, can you upload some photos of how they failed?

ilikebmxbikes · 08-23-2013, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fe1rx

When you get them changed, can you upload some photos of how they failed?

+1 - I'm very interested to see these.

Usually defective bushings / install errors are on a single bushing. Worn out bushings usually is fairly even wear to all of them. (Install error can cause them to wear prematurely)

08-20-2013, 12:57 PM	#1
int2str Captain 81 Rep 655 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (2)	M3 bushings toast Got my M3 bushings installed February, 2012. Here we are 16 month later and the bushings are officially toast. Not broken, but worn to a point where the rear subframe moves enough under acceleration to make you uneasy in the car... 3 trackdays and about 15 autocrosses since then. No major mileage; 10k miles maybe? I'm very disappointed.... Has anybody else had any issues with the M3 bushings? Is there a stronger alternative that doesn't make the car sound/vibrate too badly (still daily driven)?
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08-20-2013, 01:38 PM	#2
Dackelone European Editor 10759 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Mine are still going strong. And there are MANY 1M's and M3's that are tracked. Perhaps either the bushings were installed incorrectly(I believe they can be installed two ways, the bushing has arrows to indicate which way they should be installed) or you have a parts failure. IF its a parts failure... BMW does warranty them - all BMW parts have a two year unlimited parts warranty. G.L. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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08-20-2013, 01:40 PM	#3
mb135is Captain 93 Rep 912 Posts Drives: '13 135is #180/586 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	People who work on BMWs have told me this basic idea in various forms: M cars handle better than anything else, partly because their suspension components (at least the wear items) are expendable and made to perform very well but not necessarily for very long. This is a general consensus and not scientific. Does it make sense that items that are made to perform better will also not be as durable? Perhaps. Not sure if it's actually true, though. __________________ E82 '13 135is - Space Gray/Coral Red, 6 MT, Heated Seats, 50% tint, clear bra, BMW Perf. Grilles, BMW Perf. CF Diffuser - #180/586
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08-20-2013, 02:27 PM	#5
Zombie1 Colonel 173 Rep 2,346 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 2010 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Island long iTrader: (6)	It has to be a part Defect or they installed them wrong. Anyone who thinks bmw would sell there m3s with bushings that blow out every year and ahalf are crazy IMHO. OP sorry to ear this hope all works out __________________ Mods:-Berkexhaust -alpinaB3flash -CobbAP -Cobb FMIC -ER charge pipe tialQ bov -M3 front sway bar -M3 subframe bushings -M3 front upper and lower control arms -M3 guide rods -M3 rear upper control arms -Mfactory LSD -defiv lockdown kit -TC Kline SA coilovers /camber plates- HP rear toe arms
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08-20-2013, 11:55 PM	#8
cvc 22349a Colonel 164 Rep 2,556 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (11)	No idea why your bushings have failed. To answer your question about stronger alternative: Powerflex polyurethane, solid aluminum or delrin, my vote goes to BMW motorsport Group N bushings. __________________ 2007 E90 335i, TiAg, 6AT, ZPP, ZSP, ZCW, 6FL, HD Quaife lsd, ETS fmic, GIAC s/w, Dinan intake/exhaust/oc, Koni/M3 susp, Apex Arc 8, Mich PSS
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08-21-2013, 03:11 PM	#10
HP Autosport Supreme Allied Commander 4020 Rep 55,446 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com iTrader: (36)	I have never heard of bushings failing that fast. Perhaps bad install or something else is off? -Mike
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08-21-2013, 04:27 PM	#11
Dackelone European Editor 10759 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	int2str - have you checked the rear suspension(& axle) bolts? Maybe something is loose rather than worn. ??? __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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08-23-2013, 07:27 AM	#13
fe1rx Captain 1497 Rep 791 Posts Drives: 135i, 328i, Cayman S Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (3)	When you get them changed, can you upload some photos of how they failed?
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