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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    College Station, TX
    Posts
    157

    Trunk Strut Recommendation: BMW OE or Stabilus

    Looking to replace my tired trunk struts which are still factory set. We all know that over time these struts start to squeak and no longer hold the trunk weight as well as when new. Since the OE struts have Stabilus logo on them, I would think they are OE manufacturer for BMW. However, my experience with Stabilus replacement tells me that they don't last more than a year before they start to squeak again... it is so annoying when you have everything else dialed in and except when you open the trunk

    So is Stabilus really the same quality as BMW OE? Is the OE really worth the 4x higher price compared with Stabilus? I personally never bought BWM OE strut, anyone ever tried them and can share your opinion?

    Thanks!
    Last edited by GreatFrog; 07-14-2017 at 07:15 PM.
    2003 330i ZHP [Garage King]
    2005 325i ZSP [SOLD]
    2007 Z4 3.0i [Garage Queen]
    2009 MINI Cooper S [Daily Driver]

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Austin TX
    Posts
    7,606
    I bought the OEM trunk struts one year ago, and they are still in great shape.
    2005 IR / black / 6MT
    157,000 miles

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    College Station, TX
    Posts
    157
    Quote Originally Posted by fredo View Post
    I bought the OEM trunk struts one year ago, and they are still in great shape.
    You mean Stabilus OEM or BMW OE?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    2003 330i ZHP [Garage King]
    2005 325i ZSP [SOLD]
    2007 Z4 3.0i [Garage Queen]
    2009 MINI Cooper S [Daily Driver]

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Austin TX
    Posts
    7,606
    I bought bmw oe.
    2005 IR / black / 6MT
    157,000 miles

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    College Station, TX
    Posts
    157
    Hmm, maybe I should give OE a try this time.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    2003 330i ZHP [Garage King]
    2005 325i ZSP [SOLD]
    2007 Z4 3.0i [Garage Queen]
    2009 MINI Cooper S [Daily Driver]

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Irvine, CA
    Posts
    818
    Old thread, but thought I'd add my experience. I went with Stabilus and they've been fine for 4 years or so - they probably make them for BMW - and feels high quality.

    I initially tried to save a few bucks (maybe pennies) by going with a Uro strut.... I'll never do that again. The trunk opened with such force I thought it was going to break the hinges (no joke). After 2 open/close cycles I put the old ones back on and promptly ordered Stabilus. The trunk opens and closes like it should now, with sufficient but not overwhelming force.


    A case of pinching pennies only to lose dollars, lesson learned.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    College Station, TX
    Posts
    157
    Autozone.com
    Quote Originally Posted by Will View Post
    Old thread, but thought I'd add my experience. I went with Stabilus and they've been fine for 4 years or so - they probably make them for BMW - and feels high quality.

    I initially tried to save a few bucks (maybe pennies) by going with a Uro strut.... I'll never do that again. The trunk opened with such force I thought it was going to break the hinges (no joke). After 2 open/close cycles I put the old ones back on and promptly ordered Stabilus. The trunk opens and closes like it should now, with sufficient but not overwhelming force.


    A case of pinching pennies only to lose dollars, lesson learned.
    Good to hear that Stabilus lasted you 4 years. Mine Stabilus replacement set started to make noise right after one year or so, not that affect the functionality a bit, but it is really annoying when the rest of the car is squeak free.
    2003 330i ZHP [Garage King]
    2005 325i ZSP [SOLD]
    2007 Z4 3.0i [Garage Queen]
    2009 MINI Cooper S [Daily Driver]

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