
Originally Posted by
Robert K
I've read a number of times in various forums that polyurethane is not a great material for car suspensions. It transmits a lot more vibration and also doesn't allow components the freedom of travel they may need. I've also heard that the stuff can degrade quickly. I don't know these things for certain, but thought I'd pass the info on if you wanted to investigate. I do know that my brother had some poly bushings on his old '79 Mercury Capri that he had fixed up. He just converted back to some stock type bushings and said it vastly improved the ride.
Grace and peace,
Robert K
1991 535i
The quality of polyurethane suspension parts is superior to rubber in longevity and performance, but it depends on who is making them.
Those cheap kits that have the rock hard polyurethane are really useless.
Places like http://www.energysuspension.com/pages/hyperfl.html engineer the dura (hardness) of the polyurethane to match performance desired.
They don't have much for BMW's but I got the complete suspension kit for my Rx7 and it's night and day differance. The Dura of the polyurethane in my kit is slightly firmer than the original natural rubber bushings.
So shop around for reputable manufactures of engineered polyurethane suspension parts, and you will be a true believer IMO......
1991 525i M50 5 Sp.
N.California
America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt