Hood strut replacement parts ???

[targaone]

i am a new bmw owner, recently got a 95 325i convertible. the car seems to run and drive well, but the hood struts are rather weak. is there a good source for struts?? i see ebay struts very cheap, not sure if they will work a few years or so. is it worth measuring out the length and getting something from an auto parts store? i know i don’t want german made oem stuff for 100 dollars. please let me know what has worked for you. thanks much .

[jmc1590]

$100? How about $13/ea thru FCP Euro.

Can't beat it with the warranty.

You'll find FCP, Ecstuning, Pelican Parts & AutohausAZ (and others) offer good quality parts at reasonable prices. Some things I'm happy with non-oem parts. Other things are oem only.

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[bluptgm3]

Use www.realoem.com to determine correct part number using your VIN, then order online using that part number


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[pablowski]

I recently installed new hood shocks on my 94 325is and i had to drill the heads of the shocks out 1/32 larger than what it was supposed to be, went from being a literal pita to put on to a breeze - they should snap right on no problems, but mine did not, and they were a quality brand.

[shogun]

buy the Stabilus brand, that is what BMW originally uses.

[Frisk]

I replaced the hood struts on my vert and the little metal clip was backwards on one side (I believe they're supposed to face opposite directions). Swapped directions and everything went smoothly.

[shogun]

here is a pic how the clip should be installed https://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tec...ood-Shocks.htm

[targaone]

I thought the mounting stuff was all standardized, but the amount of lift based on how heavy the hood was changed. so i thought if you just checked extended length and collapsed length that you would be good with a generic part . so if you guys could tell me the april prices if what you paid that would be helpful. also are you happy with the result in part. i can easily do the work. i have done brakes and engines and suspension work , but i don’t want to invest too much money in my very inexpensive high mileage / rusty 95 325i convertible. i just can’t deal with using a piece of wood or rake to hold the hood open on a classy car. so even if the hood was held open a few inches lower but the part was a great deal i would do that. i tried the fpc euro website and could not get any useful info from that website.

has anyone tried buying the 12 - 18 dollar hood struts from china on ebay. i know , it seems like a long shot. just wondered if anyone has had ok or bad results from that .

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I recently installed new hood shocks on my 94 325is and i had to drill the heads of the shocks out 1/32 larger than what it was supposed to be, went from being a literal pita to put on to a breeze - they should snap right on no problems, but mine did not, and they were a quality brand.

don’t have a problem having to drill a slightly bigger hole. but i thought the hole sizes were standard. what brand and price were the ones you bought??

[Nanniepoo]

I guess why bother with a $12-$18 no-name version when the $20 OEM one lasts ~20 years?

[galuple]

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...t+support,1404

Rockauto has them for $13 bucks.


Or FCP Euro. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...3-e36-sg302008

This is the one for the coupe/convertible.

[jmo69]

Bought mine off E-Bay 10years ago and they are still working fine. The trunk struts are a different story, they slow opening instead of closing. They do hold the trunk open but full open is over 90°.

[Nanniepoo]

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...t+support,1404

Rockauto has them for $13 bucks.


Or FCP Euro. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...3-e36-sg302008

This is the one for the coupe/convertible.

Even better.

I misread and thought he checked FCP Euro since it was already suggested. They're $20 from BavAuto.

[targaone]

i can’t figure out how to add photos , but i bought two hood struts for 8.63 shipped on ebay and they seem to be working fine. i had to trim the plastic sleeve on the cars right side that keeps the wires from getting picked because the new struts are 1/4 inch longer than the stock part. for the money i am happy with my struts for less than 9 dollars shipped for the pair. the factory clips are better than the new ones so i reused the clips. getting the clips locked in the little slots was a pain as they are not very positive. so my five minute job took 30 minutes. my post asked if anyone tried the really cheap struts .. i guess nobody tried them on this forum. so i tried them and they seem great. for a collector show car i might use different parts. for a basic driver i am super happy i can open the hood safely without using a broom to hold the hood up. it made changing oil and filter today a lot easier. i am a pretty good wrench , not a genius at engine or auto transmission fixing, but having a broom hold my hood up is a no-go ��

[targaone]

I guess why bother with a $12-$18 no-name version when the $20 OEM one lasts ~20 years?

i tried a couple of the websites folks recommended. if i saw 20 dollar ones they would already be in the car. so i decided to try the cheapest parts on ebay and spin the wrench. these struts are so easy to get at... that if the parts fail it’s no big deal. i would not go super cheap on clutch or brake parts or a water pump or fan motor as getting the part in place is way harder than crying from the parts bill.

[M3AN]

The cheap ones are great until one of the ends comes off the pin and you end up with a bent hood...

Caveat emptor.