AI Video Summary: Tested: Are polyurethane bushes worth the extra money? | Road & Race S02E20
Channel: Road and Race
TL;DR
The host tests whether polyurethane roll bar bushes are worth the extra cost compared to standard rubber ones on a Porsche Boxster. While daily driving shows negligible benefits and no comfort loss, track testing reveals sharper steering and reduced body roll, though the improvement is minor compared to more expensive suspension upgrades.
Key Points
- — Introduction of the test: comparing standard rubber bushes (£20) with polyurethane bushes (£70) for durability and handling improvements.
- — Initial road test results show a tighter rear end over speed bumps and more precise, direct steering through roundabouts without significant loss of comfort.
- — Track testing begins, focusing on high-speed corners and braking zones to evaluate the impact on vehicle dynamics under stress.
- — Post-track analysis confirms sharper turning, less body roll, and increased driver confidence, describing the change as subtle but noticeable.
- — Long-term daily driving review concludes that the bushes offer no perceptible benefit for normal use and are not worth the money for street cars.
- — Cost-benefit analysis suggests that while the £50 upgrade provides roughly 5% stiffness improvement, it is minor compared to spending hundreds on shocks or sway bars.
- — Warning that upgrading bushes cumulatively increases stiffness at the expense of ride comfort and may cause increased wear on other suspension components.
Detailed Summary
In this episode of Road & Race, the host evaluates whether upgrading from factory rubber roll bar bushes to polyurethane ones is a worthwhile investment. The premise stems from the previous episode where the installation was performed. Standard bushes cost around £20, while the polyurethane alternatives cost over three times that amount at £70. The goal is to determine if the higher cost justifies the potential benefits in longevity and handling performance through both daily driving and track testing. During the initial road test, the host drives over speed humps and through roundabouts. He notes an immediate difference in feel; the rear end feels significantly tighter, and the steering becomes more direct and precise with less play. Despite these changes, he is surprised by how much such a small component affects the car's behavior. Importantly, he reports no decrease in ride comfort, noting that the car remains comfortable enough for daily use, although slightly firmer over bumps. This initial impression sets the stage for a more rigorous evaluation at the racetrack. At the track, the host pushes the car through various corners, including fast left-handers and tight chicanes, to assess the bushes' impact on high-performance driving. After the session, he concludes that the polyurethane bushes do provide a tangible benefit. Turning is sharper, body roll is reduced, and there is a slight increase in driver confidence due to the added stiffness. However, he characterizes the improvement as subtle rather than transformative. Reflecting on weeks of mixed usage, the host determines that for daily driving, the upgrade is not worth the money. The differences fade into insignificance during normal activities like shopping, and given that the original factory bushes showed little wear after 50,000 miles, the durability argument is weak for street use. For track enthusiasts, the £50 premium offers a minor stiffness improvement—estimated at around 5%. When compared to major upgrades like stiffer shocks or sway bars which cost hundreds of pounds, the bush swap is a low-cost entry point for incremental gains. He warns, however, that replacing multiple bushes cumulatively will stiffen the suspension further, potentially degrading ride comfort and increasing wear on other suspension parts.
Tags: porsche boxster, polyurethane bushes, car modification, track day, suspension tuning, handling improvement, road and race