Trunk & hood struts replaced. (hatch)

[spacecowboy]

It was time to replace the OE trunk struts. The plastic end cap had disintegrated on one side, leaving me with one working strut that I'm sure wasn't 100% either. I found a seller on eBay & I bought a set of trunk struts. The seller is Lift Supports Depot. The trunk struts arrived & were of better quality than the OE parts. The plastic end caps are replaced with steel with a anodized finish. They are identical to the OE parts except for the materials used. The best part is that they are at least half the price of OE. After my first experience with them I pulled the trigger on a set for the front. They arrived today & I installed them, & that's two very good purchase from this vendor. I'd recomend them if any one is looking to replace hood, trunk, or hatch struts on a Z3.

[markdavid1970]

I just ordered replacement hatch struts from autohausAZ last week, though they have not yet arrived. At $44.22 for the pair shipped, ima be unsuprized if the quality is not stellar. What did you pay?

[spacecowboy]

I paid $44 for a pair. Hood or trunk, same price. They are of much better quality than the original equipment parts I removed.

[boncovi]

So it wasn't really half the price?

[spacecowboy]

I just ordered replacement hatch struts from autohausAZ last week, though they have not yet arrived. At $44.22 for the pair shipped, ima be unsuprized if the quality is not stellar. What did you pay?

Let us know how they are when you get them. Plastic or metal end caps? The ones I received were overbuilt compared to the OE ones.

So it wasn't really half the price?

It depends. When I priced checked the OE parts they were 2x the cost. A dealership isn't selling you two struts for anywhere near $44, & what does build quality count for?

[boncovi]

Just giving you hard time, relax

It depends. When I priced checked the OE parts they were 2x the cost. A dealership isn't selling you two struts for anywhere near $44, & what does build quality count for?

[07090]

Did we ever hear about the quality of these? I was looking at this pair of strongarms on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-USA-Made...c5ff12&vxp=mtr

[spacecowboy]

Did we ever hear about the quality of these? I was looking at this pair of strongarms on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-USA-Made-Trunk-Lift-Supports-Shocks-Struts-Arm-Props-Gas-Springs-4030-/200869805842?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &fits=Model%3AZ3&hash=item2ec4c5ff12&vxp=mtr

Better than OE quality. I did both ends of the Z3, & then the hood on a Passat once I saw they were well made. They were much better quality than what I pulled off the VW.

[07090]

I got them the other day and threw them on in minutes. VERY nice quality. Wouldn't think twice about buying the brand again.


It took me a minute to find a flathead skinny enough to get into the clip that held the lifter to the trunk. Once i did that, it went fast.

[cfmistry]

Is the trunk supposed to pop or spring up once opened? Mine just barley opens enough to put my fingers in and open it the rest of the way.

[JWin]

I ordered the Stabilus brand trunk struts from Lift Supports Depot and they are almost exact matched for the OEM struts for half the price. Didn't realize just how whimpy the stock ones had gotten until putting the new ones on.

They are available on Amazon as well: http://www.amazon.com/Stabilus-W0133...1&s=automotive

[Wojtek79]

Anyone have a set of used hood struts they are looking to dump cheap? Mine work and are in excellent shape but I am not to crazy about using them with Yuri's fiberglass hood.

[BimmerBreaker]

I replaced my hood struts with slinkies

Anyone have a set of used hood struts they are looking to dump cheap? Mine work and are in excellent shape but I am not to crazy about using them with Yuri's fiberglass hood.

Use E46 M3 struts? They are designed to have less "push" on the aluminum M3 hood.

[jdmaflac]

I ordered the Stabilus brand trunk struts from Lift Supports Depot and they are almost exact matched for the OEM struts for half the price. Didn't realize just how whimpy the stock ones had gotten until putting the new ones on.

They are available on Amazon as well: http://www.amazon.com/Stabilus-W0133...1&s=automotive

Thank you for the link. I think it's time to replace mine after getting smacked in the back of the head with my hatch, lol.

[crashgordan]

Mine are shot. Good info! Thanks!

[328 Power 04]

Hmm nice! Well now they're $39 shipped for 2 from that seller.

RockAuto has them (Stabilus/Sachs Part # SG202005) For $15.23 each plus about $8 to ship both. Roughly $38 shipped from RockAuto.

[kornfeld]

I just installed the stabilus hatch lift struts from Amazon. Two thumbs up to them.

[fmcfad01]

Funny this popped up. I just ordered front and rear for my M5 along with new rears for the M Coupe from Bimmerzone.

[BenFenner]

kornfeld, can I assume you're making spectacular use of The Manifesto this week?
Carry on good sir.

[kornfeld]

kornfeld, can I assume you're making spectacular use of The Manifesto this week?
Carry on good sir.

Now what would make you say that?

I am cranking through as much as I can...I hate non-searchers as much as the next forum user. Once I get my coolant system swapped out, I should be able to just enjoy the car, and not spend so much time reading about it. :knock on wood:

[CMZ3]

Got mine from AutohausAZ $13.94 each. Look just like the originals and have worked perfect since last August.

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...Lift%20Support

[montreal2015]

Are the trunk struts difficult to remove? Is a special tool necessaryy?

[JWin]

Just a flat head screw driver or similar. Just be careful. Wear gloves and protect the paint in the trunk where you are prying...

[cleanerPA]

Just note that if you are doing this job on a Coupe, make sure you have a sturdy prop rod to hold the weight of the hatch and make sure it's propped in a way that it won't come loose. The hatch is surprisingly heavy once you drop the struts off of it.

I used Stabilus brand struts on mine, they were identical to the OE struts minus the BMW logo. Part numbers matched as well. I think that is who makes them for BMW.

[JWin]

Just note that if you are doing this job on a Coupe, make sure you have a sturdy prop rod to hold the weight of the hatch and make sure it's propped in a way that it won't come loose.

Same with the hood. I think I just rested it on my head before removing the strut (this is not a recommendation...).