So as usual, there’s absolutely zero objective opinions on bushing materials from the various VW groups I am in.
Every few months someone posts something similar about modern polyurethane bushing use versus the various OEM style rubber bushings that are available and quite often, a shit storm ensues of the usual “urethan sucks” comments followed by the “I’ve had urethane bushings on Beetle X for 15 years for 100,000+ miles” type comments.
Now in terms of what I’ve seen come in the performance parts my son has ordered for his past GTI and Jetta, they all come with polyurethane bushings. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them come with any kind of basic old school rubber.
I had already purchased basic IRS urethane bushings some time ago for the eventual replacement, but one thing that recently came up with someone on one of the FB VW groups whose comments I actual respect was on the matter of where the polyurethane bushings originate and not on this style in general.
He had indicated he’s seen a huge difference in the long term between some of the more expensive options out there versus the cheaper ones from China that most vendors resell. In fact, he had even indicated a specific vendor product he’s been buying for like 15-20 years and has always used urethane bushings from them without problem.
Since I needed to get some proper bushing grease anyway, I decided to order some from the one manufacturer he said he loved and also, since they were inexpensive, ordered a set of their IRS pivot bushings.
I wish I had known about Energy Suspension bushings prior to this week.
Since they can also supply black polyurethane instead of the more common red I would have been buying from them all along when needed.
At least the black simulates the color of most rubber. The red just stands out like an eyesore to me when I look at the front of my suspensions.