Subject: Re: trunk shocks (OEM vs Aftermarkets)? Author: rcshott as Jim : member since December, 2006 : 136 posts Posted on: 2010-06-30 09:35:09

Had my originals re-gassed 5 yrs ago that soon failed... so couldn't justify cost. 3 weeks ago I purchased new struts (shocks) for bonnet 'n boot (hood 'n trunk), OEM from "pelican parts" CA. Stamped "BMW"! $85 for 4, incl freight to Australia.

Bresson, they should NEVER operate in a manner quickly enough to be of danger as the gas is compressed & allowed to realese slowly which is the whole idea. With the new ones you will possibly find that (for the boot/trunk especially) you may need to be slightly 'forceful' to enable a locked closed position. MAY I SUGGEST... GET YOUR MONEY RETURNED FROM YOUR EBAY SELLER, SITING "DANGEROUS ITEM & NOT PERFORM TO EXPECTATIONS OF MY REQUIREMENTS". Or similar! Ebay should assist with the dispute, if it goes that far. Good luck, mate!

Ahhhhh. Gotta tell ya... (((A FUNNY TRUE STORY))) LAUGH if you must!
When I replaced mine the 3 weeks ago I first did the bonnet/hood, simply remove the clip at each end of the strut & pull the strut pins away from their retaining hole, (-5 minutes!) Then I confidently got completely inside the boot/trunk to get full access to removal of the old struts... removed one & the B L O O D Y lid slammed shut... Luckily no limbs exposed to be broken by the sharp bottom edge!
BUT... SHEER PANIC as I knew the rear seat CANNOT be kicked in (no ski aperture), the lock CANNOT be picked, the seals are AIRTIGHT>>>>>> so NO AIR... NO WAY OUT!!! F>>>K!!!!! Knowing this was why I panicked? It was 11.00am & 10 degrees 'c'. Perspiring like a pig I removed ALL long clothing, even shirt, shoes & socks as I was in a lather. (I truly admit that for the very first time my life flashed by, as sometimes I don't see neighbours for days & often weeks).

My absolute thoughts were that smell would eventually attract! Several friends (after picking themselves up from laughing) said,
Q. Where was your mobile/cel phone?
A. "Don't own one, &
the hell would I need a phone in the trunk, anyway?
C. "Jim where's your dissability pager? (A. in the draw o e bedroom"!

I first tried to pick the lock (silly boy)but had access to the tool tray of the trunk to "assist" but couldn't get the 2 bolts loose as I had months ago tightened them VERY SECURELY after I discovered they had moved slightly & prevented the light from switching off, resulting in several flat batteries... even 2 X dealers couldn't detect THAT!!!
ANYWAY, LUCKILY, I had knowledge of rear light cluster removal, (God IS on my side after all, I thought)! In complete darkness I ripped carpet & plastic away to expose the light cluster. LIGHT AT LAST! Removed the 3 bulb holders but had trouble (in my panic) to get the cluster to fall outwards, so for a while looking for a 4th nut knowing there wasn't one. Eventually I poked the cluster hard & it fell to the ground!!! AHHHH... FRESH AIR AT LAST!!! WOOOHOOOOO! LIFE AGAIN!

Now... I have 2 cars both E34's Luckily (you'll read soon) were parked nose to each other in a carport.
The ALPINA trunk is facing my very large rear yard & my nearest neighbor is locked in her (cold) house 40 meters away!

From inside the trunk the 3 bulb apertures are each about 1 &1/4 inch wide... so I put my lips to one & yelled for "SHIRLEY"!!! UNTIL I WAS BECOMING HOARSE.
After more than 10- 15 minutes of screaming I finally got response. She came over, walked around (THE OTHER SIDE OF THE YARD... then through the house looking for me (she knows of my medical conditions, which have no doubt just increased ten fold)... before finally going to the rear yard... Jeasus!!
Finally I got attention & asked her to "Push the silver button"! OUT IN A SECOND! Made a cup of tea (a "cuppa") & actually collapsed in shock. Thank God for valium!!!

((((Please understand, I'm a war veteran of more than 4 years active service in 3 countries, ALL "in the bush", with 3 times wounded & NEVER a worry. But my tiny brain has deteriorated, obviously!)))

Anyway, later completed the strut task (NOW propping the trunk with a LARGE piece of wood) & decided to go shopping in the "Spare car", closest to the street. FLAT BATTERY! Jump start from the ALPINA & had another 'cuppa' whilst waiting for 30 mins, good! Went shopping & (((TRUELY>>>FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER))) I hit another vehicle in a car park! A 4wd front 'bull bar" on entry. Couldn't find damage to it but noted $1,000+ damage to the 535i... F-BUGGA!
Within 5 mins a big copper dragged me out of the shop, siting "other damage". When I claimed I looked & couldn't see any. But it WAS there, just a small dent in the aluminum bull bar. Exchanged details with the owner.
Finally get on the highway for the 12 k's home only to be held up by a mining dragline which took ALL width of the highway, so the 7 minute trip took 40!
Eventually turned into my street & saw my landlord & quickly ducked to the kerb to talk, hit the kerb & buckled the very expensive ROH 3 piece wheel! Landlord changed it for me as I was now QUITE shitty! Valium aside!
Had a few beers & a laugh, now dark went 200 meters home, emptied the trunk of shopping & cooked dinner at the same time, awoke late the next morning to see I forgot to close the trunk the night before... 'nother flat battery... so connected the charger. Attacked the buckled wheel (with axe, hammers, grinders, sand paper, polished to varying degrees to the point that I defy anyone to pick the original damage.

Now late Thursday, I was SOOO happy, I went & poured a glass of wine. The shortened version: BROKE 2 glasses & spilled wine everywhere. Next morning, now Friday, found a 1/2 glass of wine so put it to the back of the refrigerator, then pushed other food stuff back & spilled the wine & broke the glass. Being on the top shelf, wine covered EVERYTHING!

After cleaning everything, AGAIN, I pumped up the tyre of the damaged wheel to find the tyre/tire had a hole in the wall! Enquiries found that the particular brand is no longer available... necessitating in 2 (TWO) new tyres required!

SATURDAY!!! Me & my Poodle spent the entire day in bed... NO LIGHTS, NO TV, NO MUSIC, NO PAPER, NO FOOD... just in case something else went wrong!!!

Well I suppose, being generally conservative all my life, I've cheated God many times. I just hope it'll be another 65 years before 'the mongrel' gets me AGAIN!!! What else can one do but LAUGH!!!

AHhhhh! ALPINA's!

• trunk shocks (OEM vs Aftermarkets)? - bresson 2010-06-27 21:07:39 (1599 views)
  • Re: trunk shocks (OEM vs Aftermarkets)? - Jim 2010-06-30 09:35:09 (1563 views)
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