A couple of weeks ago my buddy helped me install the RR-Racing USRS on my IS350 F-sport. My intent was to remedy the uneven tire wear on the inner front tires and from numerous older posts, it seemed the USRS was the right solution. Install was super easy (thanks to my buddy's lift) but we did notice some increased road noise after the install, but definitely better road feel overall.

Unfortunately, during the test drive I inadvertently ran over a pot hole and did some damage to my front passenger side tire sidewall. Since the tires probably didn't have much more miles left in them I ended up replacing all four tires with a new set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3+. So USRS, new tires and alignment, and I have to say I'm pretty happy with the results so far. The road noise is gone, the car handles noticeably better, and hopefully won't have the uneven front inner tire wear. Just giving some positive feedback for those who might be on the fence about this modification.

 

How much were the bushings? $399? from what I remember, pretty pricey. The BMW world gets more options in terms of different grades of harshness.

Also will they require grease at install and thereafter?

Thanks for the photos.

 

Oh and do the bushings slide on easily by hand or need to be pressed or hammered on?

 

Cost was $348, and shipping to VA was $17. Pricey but hopefully worth it in the long run if it saves me from uneven wear on my tires. These bushings are pretty firm, very little give. You will need to apply grease, I had some Mobil 1 Synthetic grease handy so I used that. I think the instructions may have actually recommended specific kinds of grease to use, but I just went with what I had, hopefully I chose right

Sliding it off the old factory bushings and installing the new ones was a breeze. Specone's youtube video showed him using a pry bar to lower the control arm, and I think the instructions might also recommend this. Also seemed like the install on my 2015 was much easier than his was on his 2014. I didn't have metal bars and plastic pieces in the way, and the bushings used just bolts, no retaining nuts.

Since we were under the car, it was easy enough just to pull down the lower control arm by hand and slide the bushing off/on. Very little effort, no need to hammer anything. Torque everything down to spec and probably all done in less than half hour.

Agreed, pretty happy with these tires even if they are a bit pricey. And yeah, its good to see another MRM owner on here, doesn't seem like a very popular color, but I really dig it.

 

 

Didn't even make it past this pic... #TeamMRM

 

Damn...should have got the red.

 

Did you notice how soft the factory bushing were? night and day difference in firmness.

I drove mine about 4k miles with brand new tires, alignment and the USRS. So far so good. no sign on any type of inner wear what so ever.

 

How are these in terms of hitting pot holes? I'm in Toronto and would love this upgrade but this winter the roads ate three 6 month old AS3+, and my front suspension was leaking (2014 model). Also my windshield cracked from the edge roughly 2 days after that hit when the temp went from very cold to decent, could be from a chip though. The Gardiner Expressway has cost me about 3K+ so far this winter.

Would it be stupid to get the USRS?

 

The USRS are really meant to correct the abnormal toe wear on the front.
Your issue is you live in Toronto...you just need to move lol
The roads are brutal after this winter...there are pot holes that could swallow a small child.

 

Yup I did just that, moved back in with the parents in Milton for a bit. Still go into the City every week. What I meant is that the USRS are much firmer wouldn't that just cause more damage to the car if I were to hit potholes? I was talking to my mechanic savvy friend and he had big worries about how hard they were compared to the OEM which had some give. If you hit a pot holes something has to give.

 

Just do it...

I went with the FIGS Bushings and haven't looked back once.

 

With respects to hitting pot holes only...the order of things effected would be: Tire, rim, shock/strut, ball joints, and then bushings (like the USRS) somewhere after that.
In the situation of pot holes, you generally hit them when travelling in a straight line (or trying to dodge them last minute...unsuccessfully lol)...while the bushings will absorb some of the energy from the impact, first and foremost, the tires, rims, shocks, etc. will absorb the vast majority of the impact, if not all. Realistically the USRS won't play a factor in the result or feel of the impact.
The abnormal toe wear, as indicated by RRRacing, occurs when the vehicle is turning under load, which is what the USRS are meant to address...which is an opposite scenario compared to when you hit potholes.

Getting the USRS overall is a good idea, they just won't have any impact (no pun intended) on the outcome of hitting a pot hole.

 

Ah I see thank you for the explanation.