Cheap front shock options
 

Yes, sometimes we get what we pay for, and that scepticism is where this post is coming from.

I commute in my 1995 318ti, no racing, and the road conditions aren't all that bad. My 24 year old right front shock has developed a leak at the shaft seal, so I guess it is time to replace the shocks.

Has anybody tried the $30-$60 shock sets listed by the tons in ebay? They are gas charged shocks and of course they look fine from an ebay picture. CN Batteries is listed as the brand if that makes sense to anybody. Batteries?!


let me know if you've tried CN shocks on anything and if you lived to tell about the experience.

Thanks!
Jon

CN Batteries is just one seller. All of the cheap shocks on ebay are the same thing and all have the ECCPP logo stamped into the shock bodies.
Thanks again if you have any input.
Enjoy,
Jon

I grew a pair and bought a pair. What could go wrong? :wink:

Looking forward to your review. Mine are leaky too.

Curious on your review. IMO, it's better to go with a name brand for stuff like that (Bilsten, Koni, even KYB). Do those have a warranty?

What I know is, it’s almost always best to go with the expensive ones like Bilstein or Koni if you’re going to keep the car for life. If you know that you will not have that car longer than A couple years, the cheap stuff is probably OK.

I bought front struts by Monroe reflex from rockauto and they were on sale back then due to last item in inventory. They were $40 each. Got lucky I guess.
Check the site for discounted items or go for economy option.

The $36 pair of shocks came in the other day and I just put them on this morning. They look great, the damping feels proper, and they bolted right up like one would hope. They don't come with replacement bottoming bumpers, and those run another $30.

The real unknown will be how well they wear. I'll check in again either when they fail or in a few years to report on how well they are still working.

So far I couldn't expect anything to have gone better.

Nice. Thanks for the updates.

I got a set of the same brand rear shocks for a z3. I cut the bottom end eyelet bushing length to match the old shock dimensions and they otherwise bolted right up. They are working great too. Well, for now anyway. This car handles so much better with all four working shocks!