subframe bushings: powerflex yellow vs purple?

Stucks · 11-06-2014, 02:18 PM

I was planning on getting the yellow powerflex subframe bushing replacements, but had an idea. On powerflexes website it says yellow are 70A durometer, Purple are 80A durometer, and the black are 95A durometer.

When I go to most websites to check pricing or order these, they have a choice of either street or race (pictures of yellow or black bushings to be detailed). I had an idea that "if the oem e9x m3 subframe bushings fit into the e9x non-m subframe, why wouldn't aftermarket powerflex subframe bushings for an e9x m3 fit into an e9x non-m subframe as well?" I then searched ecs for the m3 subframe bushings and discovered they use the same part numbers, with the only difference between them being a letter to Indicate color. For example here are part numbers for the rear subframe bushing for both e9x non m and e9x m3:

PFR5-422x2 (yellow)
PFR5-422Px2 (purple)
PFR5-422Bx2 (black)

Other websites indicate only 2 choices for the e9x non m (street or race....no middle choice).....My question is, would the purple be harder than the yellow or the exact same (both being labeled as the street level bushings)? (if they are the exact same durometer rating, I don't see a reason for the color changes lol)

whosdady · 11-06-2014, 05:47 PM

I have the yellow and wish I would have gone harder, purple or black...

andrey_gta · 11-06-2014, 06:18 PM

first ask your self - will I be doing any Differential & differential Bushing upgrades/ lock down kits?
If no, than you can go stiff Poly/derlin/ even risk aluminum without any annoying features

FYI Powerflex copies in design are sold via Strongflex.eu for less come in 80a and 90a
People avoid powerflex style cuz one of the pairs is 1 peace and hard to insert vs a Whiteline/Nolathane

justpete · 11-06-2014, 06:22 PM

AKG Motorsports is another option for polyurethane that might be lower cost. Good stuff, running their 75D Shore engine mounts w/o any issues.

Stucks · 11-06-2014, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

first ask your self - will I be doing any Differential & differential Bushing upgrades/ lock down kits?
If no, than you can go stiff Poly/derlin/ even risk aluminum without any annoying features

FYI Powerflex copies in design are sold via Strongflex.eu for less come in 80a and 90a
People avoid powerflex style cuz one of the pairs is 1 peace and hard to insert vs a Whiteline/Nolathane

Yes I will be doing the appropriate matching differential bushings (yellow if i get yellow subframe bushings, purple for purple, and so on.). I had ordered the whiteline subframe ones, but they are back ordered for 4-6 weeks so I emailed to cancel my order today. I can get powerflex shipped same day lol.

robc1976 · 11-06-2014, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosdady

I have the yellow and wish I would have gone harder, purple or black...

I disagree, yellow is perfect Scott

andrey_gta · 11-06-2014, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stucks

Yes I will be doing the appropriate matching differential bushings (yellow if i get yellow subframe bushings, purple for purple, and so on.). I had ordered the whiteline subframe ones, but they are back ordered for 4-6 weeks so I emailed to cancel my order today. I can get powerflex shipped same day lol.

Whiteline/Nolathane poly is like 80a. They plus differential lock down - aluminum and with other poly is good result from all that i read here.

whosdady · 11-06-2014, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robc1976

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosdady

I have the yellow and wish I would have gone harder, purple or black...

I disagree, yellow is perfect Scott

It may be perfect if you have club sports. Those of us with lesser Coilovers would benefit from stiffer bushings IMHO.

Stucks · 11-07-2014, 07:41 AM

Ordered the purple powerflex for the e9x m3 as well as a bunch of extra grease packets. ecs has a discount promotion on powerflex parts currently. same part number as the others like I stated previously, so it should fit e9x non m as well, and be 80a on the durometer scale. Ships same day lol.

ashmostro · 11-07-2014, 08:10 AM

Please post up pictures of the product... would be very interested to see them.

I think it's a great idea and regret not going with urethane instead of M3 rubber.

robc1976 · 11-07-2014, 04:21 PM

Neither, I have been a big advocate of the yellow..have reccomended them many times, I recently got a bit of weight transfer back and forth (wobble) and looked and my powerflex yellow are mushroomed and appear to be cracked. I will know more once removed. I Am seriously considering the solid derlin, I honestly don't think they will cause to much NV since they are subframe bushings. They will for sure make car more rigid especially with my KW clubsports

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-11...m-e82-e9x.aspx

ashmostro · 11-07-2014, 04:28 PM

Delrin is the way to go... I'll do that or group N eventually.

robc1976 · 11-07-2014, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Delrin is the way to go... I'll do that or group N eventually.

my bad, thought that is what I linked lol! Going with these

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-11...m-e82-e9x.aspx

ashmostro · 11-07-2014, 04:37 PM

That's the business!

robc1976 · 11-07-2014, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

That's the business!

totally worth $500

ashmostro · 11-07-2014, 04:39 PM

Agreed man.... And should never need replacement!

robc1976 · 11-07-2014, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Agreed man.... And should never need replacement!

better than poly jello

justpete · 11-07-2014, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robc1976

Neither, I have been a big advocate of the yellow..have reccomended them many times, I recently got a bit of weight transfer back and forth (wobble) and looked and my powerflex yellow are mushroomed and appear to be cracked. I will know more once removed. I Am seriously considering the solid derlin, I honestly don't think they will cause to much NV since they are subframe bushings. They will for sure make car more rigid especially with my KW clubsports

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-11...m-e82-e9x.aspx

Yeah, those work very well, have em in my car along with their Delrin diff bushings. NVH is nonexistent but then it'd probably be inaudible next to the exhaust and the creaking of the ball ends on the toe rods... And the harshness of a solid suspension masks any they might add by themselves. Haven't seen a post complaining about NVH from the subframe bushings only though.

ashmostro · 11-07-2014, 04:46 PM

VAC back in the day strongly urged me to consider delrin over aluminum due to nvh concerns, fwiw.

justpete · 11-07-2014, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

VAC back in the day strongly urged me to consider delrin over aluminum due to nvh concerns, fwiw.

Yeah, it'll give enough to avoid miserable NVH. The harder polyurethane like the AKG parts are as hard as Delrin but they tend to spring back after deflection unlike Delrin, at least over higher loading anyway. Thinking maybe I should've tried them first. Doesn't really matter I suppose since my car doesn't generate enough loading on the bushings to matter.

ashmostro · 11-07-2014, 04:57 PM

Have you ever tried the group N rubber (or know anyone that has?)

robc1976 · 11-07-2014, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Have you ever tried the group N rubber (or know anyone that has?)

Link, I will be guinea pig

11-06-2014, 02:18 PM	#1
Stucks Lieutenant Colonel 172 Rep 1,909 Posts Drives: 2017 F30 340i Xdrive Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Montgomery County, MD iTrader: (12)	subframe bushings: powerflex yellow vs purple? I was planning on getting the yellow powerflex subframe bushing replacements, but had an idea. On powerflexes website it says yellow are 70A durometer, Purple are 80A durometer, and the black are 95A durometer. When I go to most websites to check pricing or order these, they have a choice of either street or race (pictures of yellow or black bushings to be detailed). I had an idea that "if the oem e9x m3 subframe bushings fit into the e9x non-m subframe, why wouldn't aftermarket powerflex subframe bushings for an e9x m3 fit into an e9x non-m subframe as well?" I then searched ecs for the m3 subframe bushings and discovered they use the same part numbers, with the only difference between them being a letter to Indicate color. For example here are part numbers for the rear subframe bushing for both e9x non m and e9x m3: PFR5-422x2 (yellow) PFR5-422Px2 (purple) PFR5-422Bx2 (black) Other websites indicate only 2 choices for the e9x non m (street or race....no middle choice).....My question is, would the purple be harder than the yellow or the exact same (both being labeled as the street level bushings)? (if they are the exact same durometer rating, I don't see a reason for the color changes lol) __________________ Current: 2017 F30 340i xdrive Previous: 2008 e92 335i coupe: RB turbos, mach 116 race fuel, methanol, alot of boost. Previous: 2003 Honda Accord V6 coupe: AEM V2, zex 75 wet shot (sold) Last edited by Stucks; 11-06-2014 at 02:30 PM..
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11-06-2014, 05:47 PM	#2
whosdady Major 135 Rep 1,075 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: STL iTrader: (10)	I have the yellow and wish I would have gone harder, purple or black...
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11-06-2014, 06:18 PM	#3
andrey_gta Brigadier General 298 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	first ask your self - will I be doing any Differential & differential Bushing upgrades/ lock down kits? If no, than you can go stiff Poly/derlin/ even risk aluminum without any annoying features FYI Powerflex copies in design are sold via Strongflex.eu for less come in 80a and 90a People avoid powerflex style cuz one of the pairs is 1 peace and hard to insert vs a Whiteline/Nolathane __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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11-06-2014, 06:22 PM	#4
justpete Brigadier General 1233 Rep 3,778 Posts Drives: '11 328i '19 M6 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: DFW iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M6 [10.00] 2011 BMW 328i [9.00]	AKG Motorsports is another option for polyurethane that might be lower cost. Good stuff, running their 75D Shore engine mounts w/o any issues. __________________ 2011 E90 328i 6MT, BMW Aero, CF hood/boot, PI+CAI+RM+3IM+BPC, SS+CI528+ThermoTec+SS#1+2XBurns, AKG 75D eng/trans, Al/Delrin diff/RS, CM 850, UCP, CAE, AKG DSSR, DiffsOnline 3.91 30/90 LSD+BW cooler, C&R, Setrab, Accusump, AST 3-way+Swift, Aurora PR+BW spherical, Vorshlag CPs, M3 brace+UR bar, ARC-8 18x8.5, 255 R1R, RB/CSL rotors+cooling, 135i calipers, RS29, RT700, Safecraft, OMP HTE-R+804F+QD Superquadro, 6pt cage+FIA, Braille, RT DL1Mk3
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11-07-2014, 07:41 AM	#9
Stucks Lieutenant Colonel 172 Rep 1,909 Posts Drives: 2017 F30 340i Xdrive Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Montgomery County, MD iTrader: (12)	Ordered the purple powerflex for the e9x m3 as well as a bunch of extra grease packets. ecs has a discount promotion on powerflex parts currently. same part number as the others like I stated previously, so it should fit e9x non m as well, and be 80a on the durometer scale. Ships same day lol. __________________ Current: 2017 F30 340i xdrive Previous: 2008 e92 335i coupe: RB turbos, mach 116 race fuel, methanol, alot of boost. Previous: 2003 Honda Accord V6 coupe: AEM V2, zex 75 wet shot (sold)
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11-07-2014, 08:10 AM	#10
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Please post up pictures of the product... would be very interested to see them. I think it's a great idea and regret not going with urethane instead of M3 rubber.
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11-07-2014, 04:21 PM	#11
robc1976 DIYER 614 Rep 5,521 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Illinois iTrader: (14)	Neither, I have been a big advocate of the yellow..have reccomended them many times, I recently got a bit of weight transfer back and forth (wobble) and looked and my powerflex yellow are mushroomed and appear to be cracked. I will know more once removed. I Am seriously considering the solid derlin, I honestly don't think they will cause to much NV since they are subframe bushings. They will for sure make car more rigid especially with my KW clubsports http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-11...m-e82-e9x.aspx __________________ JB4 G5, Stage 3 LPFP, Stage 2 MOTIV PI, VM 6466 ST, Custom OCC W/ SS lines, ER FMIC, ER CP W/HKS BOV, M3 control arms, M3 guide rods, M3 upper links, M3 front & rear sway-bars, HPA rear toe arms, Wavetrac LSD, HPF Gen 2, DEFIV kit, KW clubsport, Delrin solid SF bushings, stoptech rotors, Rogue Tranny Mounts, 1M bumper, M3 CF hood, M3 fenders, M3 OEM sideskirts, Mtech rear bumper, CSL trunk, MORR VS8.2 rims 245/295 Last edited by robc1976; 11-07-2014 at 04:32 PM..
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11-07-2014, 04:28 PM	#12
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Delrin is the way to go... I'll do that or group N eventually.
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11-07-2014, 04:37 PM	#14
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	That's the business!
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11-07-2014, 04:39 PM	#16
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Agreed man.... And should never need replacement!
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11-07-2014, 04:46 PM	#19
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	VAC back in the day strongly urged me to consider delrin over aluminum due to nvh concerns, fwiw.
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11-07-2014, 04:57 PM	#21
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Have you ever tried the group N rubber (or know anyone that has?)
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