Boot Struts - BMW E46 Compact

[WhiskyDisco]

Hi all, my '04 316ti has what I belive to be the original gas struts on the boot. They pop the boot open, but are not as powerful as I think they should be and get effected when its cold weather. I'd like to replace them, but want to replace them with like-for-like. I've been looking online and find some repalcements with 660 NM but I can't tell if they will be standard struts, or the type that "pop" open.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[Mr Tidy]

I had a 2004 320td many years ago, then had a 2002 325ti more recently a relative had an 03 325ti.

I'm not sure of the pressure for the self-lifting ones, but I'm pretty sure the facelift struts were shorter so make sure you get the right length for your facelift!

I've only bought a trolley jack from them, but SGS Engineering look like an option.

[WhiskyDisco]

Thank you, I've dropped them a line - they have quite a range!

[WhiskyDisco]

SGS don't do the "spring" struts. The search is on...

[dubster2007]

WhiskyDisco said:

Hi all, my '04 316ti has what I belive to be the original gas struts on the boot. They pop the boot open, but are not as powerful as I think they should be and get effected when its cold weather. I'd like to replace them, but want to replace them with like-for-like. I've been looking online and find some repalcements with 660 NM but I can't tell if they will be standard struts, or the type that "pop" open.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Have you got the comfort option? i.e auto lift from the keyfob? or just looking for boggo standard struts.

If its the swanky auto lift struts with the inbuilt spring your only option is bmw @ £60 each, don't bother with 2nd hand from the classifieds they will be tired as yours,been there and done that

[WhiskyDisco]

dubster2007 said:

Have you got the comfort option? i.e auto lift from the keyfob? or just looking for boggo standard struts.

If its the swanky auto lift struts with the inbuilt spring your only option is bmw @ £60 each, don't bother with 2nd hand from the classifieds they will be tired as yours,been there and done that

Yes, that's what I have. It pops up, but only a little way in this cold weather. Does it pop up higher with newer spring/struts?

[Mr Tidy]

WhiskyDisco said:

Yes, that's what I have. It pops up, but only a little way in this cold weather. Does it pop up higher with newer spring/struts?

I bought a 2004 320td with this option in 2005 and at this time of year it only went up a foot or so. Great in the summer though!

Sadly a previous owner of the 325ti I bought in 2014 had new struts fitted, just not the right ones.

[dubster2007]

WhiskyDisco said:

Yes, that's what I have. It pops up, but only a little way in this cold weather. Does it pop up higher with newer spring/struts?

New ones will sort it, mine auto lifts in cold weather, was 3c this morning lifted fully no problem.

[Superbad]

BMW ones are made by Stabilus AFAIK. I got some from the place linked below for my E46, very happy with them.

Much cheaper than buying from BMW even after adding postage.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/