Back to Stock Motor Mounts...Totally Worth It!

[bmwman91]

So as many know, E28 535is motor mounts can be used on the M42.  They are both cheaper than M42 ones, and stiffer.  Well, I have been running them for at least 5 years now, and I grew tired of them.  Being that I have not been a broke college student for a couple years now, I decided to put some stock ones in...the M30 mounts are in fine condition, but I am so tired of the incessant rattles caused by the whole car vibrating with the motor.

Holy jeez, I am so happy with the stockers!  The car feels smooth as butter now.  I did notice a slight change in engine response with these softer mounts, but I really couldn't care less.  When I put the M30 mounts in, the stockers in there were totally blown, so I probably gave the M30 mounts more credit than they deserved.  Anyway, I am so happy to have the car be borderline pleasant to drive now.  I will be yanking all of the poly bushings this weekend & putting stock rubber ones in...that should complete the efforts I have made to make this thing comfortable to ride in again.

About 4 months ago, I spent an entire week gutting the interior & covering every square inch of metal with high-end sound deadening & closed cell foam...combined with rubber mounts, this car should be a dream to ride in.  I think the "improvement" I saw when I put poly bushings in comes solely from the fact that the stock rubber in there was totally blown at the time.  Well, that and the fact that I didn't want to dick with pressing the stock stuff in...pain in the rear.  Well, I made some custom tooling on the lathe out of some pipe fittings...bushings should not pose a challenge any longer!  Pics & stuff will be posted when the time comes.

These changes to the car come for 3 reasons:
1) I must be getting old or something.
2) I routinely go on climbing & camping trips that require 100-600 miles of driving each way.
3) I am going to do a little work on the sound system, and it would not be worth a dime with all the poly crap in the car.  I'll post about the spiffy custom things I am going to do with the audio equipment.

[Boyracer]

Yeah, you are getting old. Next thing you know, you'll be buying E36 because of space and comfort

Better to keep daily driver and project cars separated, there is no car in existnece that can do both roles well. I think 3 is practical minimum for me (I have now only 2 cars) because here we have distinctly different weather in summer and winter. And my winter car became project car so I'm one short now...

[Cobra Jet]

where did you end up buying the new engine mounts from - dealer or online vendor - and what is the going rate for the correct replacements?

[bmwman91]

I got them from Pelican.  They were ~$80 each.  I swear they used to be like $120 each...oh well, either way it would have been worth it.

[vonkamp]

What sound deadening material did you use? I got a project that requires some. :cool:

[bmwman91]

I used Damplifier (regular stuff...the Pro version was too much $).  I also used the 1/8" closed cell foam from RAAMAudio.  160ft^2 of Damplifier, and 140ft^2 of foam (it is too much, but as close as one will get to the right amount if covering EVERYTHING).

[tjts1]

I took some heat a while back for recommending to people to just pay up and replace the passenger side mount only. On the M42 the passenger side mount takes most of the abuse because of exhaust heat and engine torque compresses the mount. The driver's side mount should last at least twice as much as the passenger side. My driver's side mount is going strong at 160k miles. Passenger side was replaced at 145k.

Used passenger side mount vs new.

[dude8383]

I hear you man, after I switched to the hydraulic engine mounts it felt like I was driving a proper BMW again. Definitely worth the money for the comfort!

What does the cell foam look like?