Poly Bushes........

[urfy]

Was looking at poly bushes there are a few different brands out there, most expensive being Power Flex, there are cheaper ones called Flow-Flex and others SuperPro and StrongFlex.......

Has anyone experienced any? And are the cheaper ones ok to use on a fast road car? Or are the cheaper ones are a complete waste of time?

One more thing does the different colours mean anything or is it a personal choice?

Looking to hear your views & comments.

Many thanks.

[Lurch320i]

I know on some suppliers the colour represents how hard/soft the poly is and for some it's just a colour

I have a mix of powerflex and flo flex on my car so I couldn't give an exact answer but where I have the cheaper ones I can't get any movement compared to the powerflex ones
Sorry if that's a bit vague

[DanThe]

I fit Superpro trailing arm bushes to most E30 trailing arms I refurbish, they are one piece unlike the powerflex 2 piece. There is no need for 2 pieces when its just a soft polyurethane. Also use the superpro ARB bushes

Ive used the floflex on other cars before and didnt think much of them at all, they are a poor quality in comparison

[pony]

Hi I have Powerflex rear bushes such as rear beam bushes, rear subframe bushes, rear trailing arm bushes, rear diff bush
I had these fitted in April 2014 because supposed to be better for drifting (main reason), last longer, better control of suspension geometry, less wear to bushes/tyres, last longer
Diff bush was replaced with New Genuine BMW Z3 M Coupe in June 2014.
I went for purple Powerflex bushes which are suitable for road use. The black series Powerflex bushes are track use only.
This setup ride can be a bit hard especially over motorway expansion joints, bumpy roads etc
Also transmits some noise / vibrations to vehicle
Prob good idea if is track car
In hindsight I would like to try New Genuine BMW bushes setup as a bit more compliant and comfortable which is probably better for road car

[pony]

I have no experience of other aftermarket bushes

[davelarge]

I've just received a full kit from strongflex, not fitted yet and won't be driving the car until spring so can't give any feedback regarding how they are on the road but they look good quality to me.

I went for the normal road kit (red) and they have a lifetime guarantee, also when I posted on the facebook page asking about them a guy posted saying he had used them on his track car for 3 years and he rated them.

[urfy]

Thank you all for your input....... still not sure which to go for?
I want something stronger than the standard and don't want to lose too much of the comfort.....

[Mitchen]

I dont think you want Poly then.. comfort apparantly goes out the window. OM (or OEM brands, Febi, Lemforder etc.) ftw

[pony]

Stick to New Genuine BMW bushes
Best comfort and prob last long

[Brianmoooore]

Stronger for what bush? M3 bushes sort out the somewhat soft front control arm rear bushes, and the rear beam mounts are supposed to move when loaded, as part of the suspension design.

[urfy]

Stronger for what bush? M3 bushes sort out the somewhat soft front control arm rear bushes, and the rear beam mounts are supposed to move when loaded, as part of the suspension design.

will that be the e30 or e36 for the front control arm rear bushes?
Is there any point changing the rear beam bushes to poly ones?

[Brianmoooore]

E3 M3 ones come as concentric, like the ordinary E30 ones, and as eccentric, the same as E30 M3 ones.
E30 M3 bushes and E36 eccentric ones appear identical to me, but they do have different part numbers, so I presume there is a difference.
I'd use which ever eccentric one BMW is selling cheapest. Don't forget that BMW only sell them as a pair, so ordering one of the part number will get you two bushes.
For any kind of driving that you should be doing on public roads, OE rear beam bushes, in good condition are what you need, to allow the beam to contribute what it should.

[urfy]

E3 M3 ones come as concentric, like the ordinary E30 ones, and as eccentric, the same as E30 M3 ones.
E30 M3 bushes and E36 eccentric ones appear identical to me, but they do have different part numbers, so I presume there is a difference.
I'd use which ever eccentric one BMW is selling cheapest. Don't forget that BMW only sell them as a pair, so ordering one of the part number will get you two bushes.
For any kind of driving that you should be doing on public roads, OE rear beam bushes, in good condition are what you need, to allow the beam to contribute what it should.

Thanks Brian.... I didn't pick the first part, do the e30 m3 come both in concentric and eccentric? And what will be the benefit of using the eccentric over the concentric?

[DanThe]

These - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E30-M3-Of ... 5aea701e2f

And these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rear-Axle-Rub ... 3f26fe1db6

Use poly for ARB's and trailing arm bushes, in these locations it will improve performance but wont affect comfort

[urfy]

Use poly for ARB's and trailing arm bushes, in these locations it will improve performance but wont affect comfort[/quote]

I guess thats the rear trailing arm bushes....
one more thing whats the benefit of using the eccentric over the concentric?

[Brianmoooore]

Use poly for ARB's and trailing arm bushes, in these locations it will improve performance but wont affect comfort

I'll agree with poly for the ARBs, but as for the trailing arm bushes, I've yet to come across one that needs replacing. They last forever.

E30 M3 bushes are only eccentric. An eccentric bush increase the caster of the steering, and gives an improved 'feel' to the steering in most people's opinion.

Don't forget that a rubber bush acting as a bearing is frictionless. Using poly bushes adds unwanted friction, changing the suspension characteristics, depending on which way the suspension is moving at the time.

[urfy]

Thanks guys you have answered all my queries....just one thing any tips on the top strut mounts & link bars? Have heard you can use the e36 ones? Any point of poly link bars?

[DanThe]

Lemforder front strut top mounts, available from ECP or carparts4less

[urfy]

Fab..... how about the e36 rear top mounts? And link bars?

[reggid]

OEM FTW, forget about poly nonsense for anything but ARB bushes as said

[BHadley]

E46 cab rear shock mounts are classed as an upgrade as they are stronger .

[Brianmoooore]

E46 cab rear shock mounts are classed as an upgrade as they are stronger .

Stronger, but they'll still fail in a couple of weeks if aftermarket dampers are fitted without a load spreading washer under them.

[urfy]

E46 cab rear shock mounts are classed as an upgrade as they are stronger .

Stronger, but they'll still fail in a couple of weeks if aftermarket dampers are fitted without a load spreading washer under them.

so as for the rear top mounts stick to genuine stuff rather than e46 ones?

[Blitz]

Buy Meyle HD rear top mounts

[urfy]

Buy Meyle HD rear top mounts

What does hd stand for?
How about for the front ones?

[Blitz]

Buy Meyle HD rear top mounts

What does hd stand for?
How about for the front ones?

"Heavy Duty"

Front ones either Lemforder, SKF, Topran, Febi

[BHadley]

At a guess HD = heavy duty.

As brian moooore said in another post its a different style it's made it for it to be stronger.

The meyal ones are on fact for around 13 quid and a few years warrenty.

[Demlotcrew]

OEM FTW, forget about poly nonsense for anything but ARB bushes as said

This would be my advice for a road car.

For track, totally different, even Poly is no where near good enough.

[urfy]

Thanks to everyone for their input and advice... I now know exactly what I need regarding bushes.
Once again thank you all.
Merry Xmas and a Happy New year!!!