How is your Vibra Technics motor mounts holding up?

[bosstones]

Originally Posted by Beedub

Mine are fine ( i have the competition version) it seems that the road versions have been failing... so disappointed really as i think for the z4 community i may have been a driving forcing in these people popular. It was my car VT tested the road / competition mounts on.
if i was to do it again, id still pick the VT comp mounts based on my experience.

Even if so, you're an OG here and how would you know of any potential longevity issue early on? I bought my VT mounts a long time prior to finally installing them several years back. The early threads on them were indeed a factor in my decision. The way I look at it, mounts are wear items anyways so if there were a shorter than normal MX interval for them... I'd do it again. The VT engine + RE trans mount combo were a HUGE improvement.

My car doesn't see the track (read: I'm interested but chicken) but I've been trying to trace an intermittent noise Ive been getting. Thought it might've been from the front sway bar/bracket but it both are solid/look good. I was planning to check the VT mounts this weekend and will report back on how mine are holding up.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by Beedub

it seems that the road versions have been failing...

What makes you think that?

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

What makes you think that?

Because so far every reported unit that's failed prematurely has been the blue dot ( road versions ). I haven't seen one reported failure of the competition units as yet. one a largest threads on the m3 forum and every single one was the blue dots.

This side of the pond they have used the orange dots in quite a-few race series over a fairly long time span and reported ( to me at least ) that these were seeing pretty much zero failures.

Due to how close i am to VT ( they are 25 mins from my house, im going to see if i can table a meeting to understand what their thoughts are on the reported failures. ill report back asap.
Either way, they are failing and i think it needs to be answered. Mine don't have many miles but have had some very extreme use and quite a few all day track days in hot temps, they look like new.

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by bosstones

Even if so, you're an OG here and how would you know of any potential longevity issue early on? I bought my VT mounts a long time prior to finally installing them several years back. The early threads on them were indeed a factor in my decision. The way I look at it, mounts are wear items anyways so if there were a shorter than normal MX interval for them... I'd do it again. The VT engine + RE trans mount combo were a HUGE improvement.

My car doesn't see the track (read: I'm interested but chicken) but I've been trying to trace an intermittent noise Ive been getting. Thought it might've been from the front sway bar/bracket but it both are solid/look good. I was planning to check the VT mounts this weekend and will report back on how mine are holding up.

i cant comment on how quick they have been wearing but i think its important to note that mounts will still wear! They were one of the biggest changes to my car, like i mentioned i will speak to VT asap and report back. They may say that's just normal after X years , or they may say its user installation like over torquing etc.

im sure they are aware of some of the recent press on this.

[dre99gsx]

I'm fairly certain my are the race version, and they don't look disintegrated as some I've seen. But, the engine sure is moving sideways more than I am comfortable with. The hot side (passenger side)'s motor mount is wrapped in thermal aluminum padding to protect from heat. The exhaust manifold and wastegate are right near it. This is the side where I kept melting the Powerflex control arm bushings (FCABS) and had to go solid FCAB. The mount it hidden do to the shielding so I don't know of it's status. Driver side looks normal.

I'll inspect these upon removal and post my findings here. Chances are they are "fine" and if that's the case, they may not be solid enough for my needs.

I agree, I don't want a 100% solid mount up there.

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by dre99gsx

I'm fairly certain my are the race version, and they don't look disintegrated as some I've seen. But, the engine sure is moving sideways more than I am comfortable with. The hot side (passenger side)'s motor mount is wrapped in thermal aluminum padding to protect from heat. The exhaust manifold and wastegate are right near it. This is the side where I kept melting the Powerflex control arm bushings (FCABS) and had to go solid FCAB. The mount it hidden do to the shielding so I don't know of it's status. Driver side looks normal.

I'll inspect these upon removal and post my findings here. Chances are they are "fine" and if that's the case, they may not be solid enough for my needs.

I agree, I don't want a 100% solid mount up there.

Let me know im interested, HOWEVER in your case with a swapped out motor etc im not sure this would be a far marker of failure. Motor swaps when they aren't meant to be are usually less than ideal in terms of heat management etc. But please do report back on your findings and which mounts you have ( blue dot / orange dot )

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by Beedub

Because so far every reported unit that's failed prematurely has been the blue dot ( road versions ). I haven't seen one reported failure of the competition units as yet. one a largest threads on the m3 forum and every single one was the blue dots.

Don't you think mileage and circumstances during use (like sitting in traffic in hot area's where temperatures under the bonnet on components not being connected to the engine are sometimes hotter than racing on a track where there's much ventilation)) might be a deciding factor?

[dre99gsx]

Alright. Just replaced them with the black series powerflex units and added all 4 inserts. Will see how this goes.

I've had these Vibra Technics for over 6 years, logged 70 race hours on them. They looked surprisingly good, especially the one on the hot side. The rubber seemed softer than I expected. I don't have any dot on these, but I did remember the groupbuy and part number was BMW360M (I believe the 362MX is the race version?). Perhaps I don't have the race version, no clue...

I took them apart and they look to be in great shape inside and out.

Perhaps I was lucky. Still, I think these are too compliant for my needs, and the fact my 2JZ is about 100lbs more weight than the N52 that originally was on here, I need something stiffer.

I haven't seen a single real review of these powerflex units, so I have no idea if these will last in a racing environment. It looks like they only make them for BMW. Did these just come out?

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by dre99gsx

Did these just come out?

No, they've been out for a few years now. At least 5 years now. Instructions were uploaded to vimeo in 2018

Looks like you're gonna be the first one to give an elaborate review of how they perform on track compared to VT motormounts
I hope they give what you're looking for.
What's your first impression on the look&feel of the units themselves?

[dre99gsx]

Wow, ok. 2018...

I don't like using untested parts and appreciate the recommendations from here and others, but these are beefy and stout. They were easy to slide in. I don't know how easy it will be to remove/add the inserts while mounted.

Will definitely report back how these perform and NVH.

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

Don't you think mileage and circumstances during use (like sitting in traffic in hot area's where temperatures under the bonnet on components not being connected to the engine are sometimes hotter than racing on a track where there's much ventilation)) might be a deciding factor?

considering people are reporting premature failure.... premature being the key word and stock mounts as crap as they are lasting 4 x as long, don't you think their could be something else *potentially* at play? incorrect installation? from what im seeing most the failures seem to be on the e92 platform but all seem to be heat related or potentially and over Tq issue, maybe the construction with the alloy exterior heat soaks too much, maybe theirs nothing wrong but it will be good to speak to VT ( who havent really provided the best CS to people which has compounded them getting a bad rep)

what i WILL say, mine have been on the car for over 5 years , have been subjected to some pretty harsh conditions are absolutely fine. VT when i tested these initially were VERY specific abt Tq specs and not over tightening the bolts

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by dre99gsx

Alright. Just replaced them with the black series powerflex units and added all 4 inserts. Will see how this goes.

I've had these Vibra Technics for over 6 years, logged 70 race hours on them. They looked surprisingly good, especially the one on the hot side. The rubber seemed softer than I expected. I don't have any dot on these, but I did remember the groupbuy and part number was BMW360M (I believe the 362MX is the race version?). Perhaps I don't have the race version, no clue...

I took them apart and they look to be in great shape inside and out.

Perhaps I was lucky. Still, I think these are too compliant for my needs, and the fact my 2JZ is about 100lbs more weight than the N52 that originally was on here, I need something stiffer.

I haven't seen a single real review of these powerflex units, so I have no idea if these will last in a racing environment. It looks like they only make them for BMW. Did these just come out?

fantastic update, good to read.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by dre99gsx

Perhaps I was lucky. Still, I think these are too compliant for my needs, and the fact my 2JZ is about 100lbs more weight than the N52 that originally was on here, I need something stiffer.

The S54 is at least 100 lbs heavier than the flyweight N52. Z4M engine mounts should be a good match.