Coupe hatch lift strut alternatives

MarinerZ4C · 07-22-2022, 05:04 PM

Hi -

Fixing details on my 2006 Coupe, and one of them is that the lift supports (struts) for the hatch just barely hold it up.

So far I have only found genuine BMW struts - at an average cost of $70 each, which is rather extravagant. PartsGeek lists a Stabilus strut for about $22 each, but it's out of stock. Can anyone suggest other sources / options ?

Thanks !

3798j · 07-22-2022, 06:24 PM

This ebay vendor's listing says they're in stock ($22.99).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12452426517...mis&media=COPY

chickdr · 07-23-2022, 01:33 PM

Aftermarket struts are the way to go. I replaced my trunk struts last year and they have been great.

MarinerZ4C · 07-25-2022, 07:38 AM

Thanks - hadn't seen that e-Bay listing. Struts are on order.

jetrep · 07-25-2022, 01:19 PM

For what it's worth I purchased this set off ebay and I'm totally happy with them: https://www.ebay.com/itm/334188255969

328skidpad · 07-28-2022, 10:31 AM

saved me a lot of time doing the research...

MarinerZ4C · 08-04-2022, 09:32 PM

I discovered that RockAuto sells Stabilus Z4 Coupe hatch struts - and i ordered a pair. Since I had already ordered the eBay struts, I had two set to compare.

The China-made struts from eBay look pretty good, but the Stabilus units seem just a bit more heavily built. That said, they all are the correct length, and they are all very stiff. I installed the Stabilus struts, and I have the eBay struts in reserve. Interestingly, one of the Stabilus struts was made in Germany, and the other was made in Mexico, and there are some changes in design. The struts I replaced were BMW-labelled with "E86" in large print right beside the BMW logo.

DRandall · 08-06-2022, 04:20 PM

fcpeuro.com has the stabilius OE trunk struts for around $20 each.

07-22-2022, 05:04 PM	#1
MarinerZ4C Enlisted Member 43 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0Si Coupe Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	Coupe hatch lift strut alternatives Hi - Fixing details on my 2006 Coupe, and one of them is that the lift supports (struts) for the hatch just barely hold it up. So far I have only found genuine BMW struts - at an average cost of $70 each, which is rather extravagant. PartsGeek lists a Stabilus strut for about $22 each, but it's out of stock. Can anyone suggest other sources / options ? Thanks ! __________________ *Mariner Z4C* 2006 Z4 Coupe 3.0Si, Montego Blue, MT 2008 128i Convertible (sold) 2005 325xi Sedan (sold)
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07-22-2022, 06:24 PM	#2
3798j Lieutenant Colonel 11411 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: E86 3.0si Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Susquehanna Valley iTrader: (0) Garage List '55 Ford F100 [0.00] '08 Z4 3.0SI [8.50] '66 Triumph TR4A [0.00] '85 Corvette [0.00] '64 Corvette [0.00] '68 Triumph GT6 [0.00] '19 VW Golf "R ... [0.00]	This ebay vendor's listing says they're in stock ($22.99). https://www.ebay.com/itm/12452426517...mis&media=COPY
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07-23-2022, 01:33 PM	#3
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,991 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	Aftermarket struts are the way to go. I replaced my trunk struts last year and they have been great.
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07-25-2022, 07:38 AM	#4
MarinerZ4C Enlisted Member 43 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0Si Coupe Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	Thanks - hadn't seen that e-Bay listing. Struts are on order. __________________ *Mariner Z4C* 2006 Z4 Coupe 3.0Si, Montego Blue, MT 2008 128i Convertible (sold) 2005 325xi Sedan (sold)
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07-25-2022, 01:19 PM	#5
jetrep Enlisted Member 17 Rep 43 Posts Drives: G70/S2000/Z4C Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NV iTrader: (0)	For what it's worth I purchased this set off ebay and I'm totally happy with them: https://www.ebay.com/itm/334188255969
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07-28-2022, 10:31 AM	#6
328skidpad Lieutenant 49 Rep 494 Posts Drives: 328xi e350 Z4M X3 M40 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Princeton NJ iTrader: (0)	thanks for posting saved me a lot of time doing the research...
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08-04-2022, 09:32 PM	#7
MarinerZ4C Enlisted Member 43 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0Si Coupe Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	I discovered that RockAuto sells Stabilus Z4 Coupe hatch struts - and i ordered a pair. Since I had already ordered the eBay struts, I had two set to compare. The China-made struts from eBay look pretty good, but the Stabilus units seem just a bit more heavily built. That said, they all are the correct length, and they are all very stiff. I installed the Stabilus struts, and I have the eBay struts in reserve. Interestingly, one of the Stabilus struts was made in Germany, and the other was made in Mexico, and there are some changes in design. The struts I replaced were BMW-labelled with "E86" in large print right beside the BMW logo. __________________ *Mariner Z4C* 2006 Z4 Coupe 3.0Si, Montego Blue, MT 2008 128i Convertible (sold) 2005 325xi Sedan (sold)
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08-06-2022, 04:20 PM	#8
DRandall New Member 9 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2003 BMW Z4 e85 2.5i Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	fcpeuro.com has the stabilius OE trunk struts for around $20 each.
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