Model Year 25/26 Bonnet Gas Struts

[Steve-Formentor]

Lifting the very heavy bonnet to check/top up fluids is something I haven't had to do for a very long time and looking at previous threads on this subject, has anyone managed to source and fit some that don't damage the underside of the bonnet? If so, which supplier please.

 

[Cupra_33]

Hi,
I've installed gas struts 3 weeks after delivery. I bought them on aliexpress. No problem with them.

 

[Steve-Formentor]

Hi,
I've installed gas struts 3 weeks after delivery. I bought them on aliexpress. No problem with them.

Thanks, depending on which kit you got (there are a few different ones on aliexpress) there are 2 types of bonnet mounting bracket, from the pic, which one did you get?

 

[Cupra_33]

I think they are those on the right pic. See here installed:

 

[trew]

Can anyone tell me what length struts and pressure rating are suitable for the Formentor hood, please? An Aliexpress link would also be good.

For the past 20+ years I've had cars with very light, aluminium hoods. Why did they use lead for the Formentor? Blimey, it's heavy!

 

[Cupra_33]

Can’t answer about the figures you are asking for.
Just go on Ali and type « Cupra Formentor bonnet gas struts » in the search bar. You´ll get tens of links.

 

[trew]

Just go on Ali and type « Cupra Formentor bonnet gas struts » in the search bar. You´ll get tens of links.

I did - they're different lengths, pressures and fitments.

 

[Steve-Formentor]

I did - they're different lengths, pressures and fitments.

Do you know of a specific set that fits well, is the correct length and the right pressure. Don't want to fit something that introduces additional problems.

 

[Cupra_33]

I'll take a look within sunday (if I don't forget )...

 

[trew]

I've been thinking... What's the point of installing hood gas struts? The hood only goes up once every fortnight or so, if I was involved in a crash, the insurance company might try to use installed gas struts against me in order not to pay out, and the exercise does me good.
So, it's a no-no for me.
I did install them on a previous car and to be honest, it was a waste of time, money and effort.

 

[SRGTD]

I've been thinking... What's the point of installing hood gas struts? The hood only goes up once every fortnight or so, if I was involved in a crash, the insurance company might try to use installed gas struts against me in order not to pay out, and the exercise does me good.
So, it's a no-no for me.
I did install them on a previous car and to be honest, it was a waste of time, money and effort.

@trew; That’s a good point about insurance.

Your post prompted me to look back on one of the VW Golf forums as I could vaguely remember reading a post from a few years ago about retro-fitting gas struts to the mk8 Golf which had a manual prop for bonnet / hood (previous generations going back to at least the mk4 Golf had a gas strut for the bonnet). Below is a copy of a post I found (credit goes to forum member @don1 on vwroc.com forum for the two posts reproduced below;

“After a lot of online research I have found the reason why the bonnet gas strut was omitted from the Golf MK8,it was to be compliant with Euro NCAP rating for pedestrian protection and the crumple zones of the new bonnet design, this also required the fitting of two bonnet catches instead of the single catch. Will retrofitting a gas strut affect the car insurance rating?? I am trying to find the official standpoint on this. Will report back when I get official confirmation regarding this issue.”

And this is the subsequent update post by the same forum member (@don1);

“Update, having been in contact with VW technical services I am informed that retrofitting a gas bonnet strut to any trim of the Golf MK8 will change the Euro NCAP rating therefore invalidating uninformed insurance for the vehicle, I have been in contact with three insurance companies who informed that fitting a gas bonnet strut that was not included in the original manufacturing of the car would technically invalidate the insurance policy for the car due to non compliance with the safety rating. This is not what I wanted to hear, so it is take a chance of no cover if involved in front end crash with consequences, Sorry to be the messenger of bad news”

So it seems that retro-fitting a gas bonnet / hood strut where one was not fitted by the manufacturer runs the risk of invalidating the insurance (at least in the UK), as fitting one could technically adversely affect the vehicle’s Euro NCAP rating for pedestrian protection and crumple zone deformation. I dare say the same reasoning would apply to Cupra not fitting a strut - or struts - to the Formentor…………

 

[trew]

@trew; That’s a good point about insurance.

Your post prompted me to look back on one of the VW Golf forums as I could vaguely remember reading a post from a few years ago about retro-fitting gas struts to the mk8 Golf which had a manual prop for bonnet / hood (previous generations going back to at least the mk4 Golf had a gas strut for the bonnet). Below is a copy of a post I found (credit goes to forum member @don1 on vwroc.com forum for the two posts reproduced below;



And this is the subsequent update post by the same forum member (@don1);

“Update, having been in contact with VW technical services I am informed that retrofitting a gas bonnet strut to any trim of the Golf MK8 will change the Euro NCAP rating therefore invalidating uninformed insurance for the vehicle, I have been in contact with three insurance companies who informed that fitting a gas bonnet strut that was not included in the original manufacturing of the car would technically invalidate the insurance policy for the car due to non compliance with the safety rating. This is not what I wanted to hear, so it is take a chance of no cover if involved in front end crash with consequences, Sorry to be the messenger of bad news”

So it seems that retro-fitting a gas bonnet / hood strut where one was not fitted by the manufacturer runs the risk of invalidating the insurance (at least in the UK), as fitting one could technically adversely affect the vehicle’s Euro NCAP rating for pedestrian protection and crumple zone deformation. I dare say the same reasoning would apply to Cupra not fitting a strut - or struts - to the Formentor…………

Thanks. That confirms my suspicions.

 

[Steve-Formentor]

@trew; That’s a good point about insurance.

Your post prompted me to look back on one of the VW Golf forums as I could vaguely remember reading a post from a few years ago about retro-fitting gas struts to the mk8 Golf which had a manual prop for bonnet / hood (previous generations going back to at least the mk4 Golf had a gas strut for the bonnet). Below is a copy of a post I found (credit goes to forum member @don1 on vwroc.com forum for the two posts reproduced below;



And this is the subsequent update post by the same forum member (@don1);

“Update, having been in contact with VW technical services I am informed that retrofitting a gas bonnet strut to any trim of the Golf MK8 will change the Euro NCAP rating therefore invalidating uninformed insurance for the vehicle, I have been in contact with three insurance companies who informed that fitting a gas bonnet strut that was not included in the original manufacturing of the car would technically invalidate the insurance policy for the car due to non compliance with the safety rating. This is not what I wanted to hear, so it is take a chance of no cover if involved in front end crash with consequences, Sorry to be the messenger of bad news”

So it seems that retro-fitting a gas bonnet / hood strut where one was not fitted by the manufacturer runs the risk of invalidating the insurance (at least in the UK), as fitting one could technically adversely affect the vehicle’s Euro NCAP rating for pedestrian protection and crumple zone deformation. I dare say the same reasoning would apply to Cupra not fitting a strut - or struts - to the Formentor…………

Thanks for the research, think I'll give this a miss then. Annoying that other manufacturers such as BMW manage to incorporate them though.

 

[Seastormer]

I've been thinking... What's the point of installing hood gas struts? The hood only goes up once every fortnight or so, if I was involved in a crash, the insurance company might try to use installed gas struts against me in order not to pay out, and the exercise does me good.
So, it's a no-no for me.
I did install them on a previous car and to be honest, it was a waste of time, money and effort.

That;s the very reason I have never bothered with them either.

 

[Cupra Jon]

My 2024 Audi S3 had them but it was somewhat of a luxury - I only lifted that bonnet to fill the screenwash or detail the plastic trim under there

 

[trew]

My 2024 Audi S3 had them but it was somewhat of a luxury - I only lifted that bonnet to fill the screenwash or detail the plastic trim under there

My missus' 2016 Renault Clio's got bonnet gas struts fitted as standard. They often take me by surprise. Never thought of it as a luxury car, more a very basic, seldom cleaned, underpowered, poorly maintained workhorse - but every day's a school day.

I have to lift her bonnet whenever she tells me she's been out of screenwash for a month or two.

 

[Loadmaster748]

@trew; That’s a good point about insurance.

Your post prompted me to look back on one of the VW Golf forums as I could vaguely remember reading a post from a few years ago about retro-fitting gas struts to the mk8 Golf which had a manual prop for bonnet / hood (previous generations going back to at least the mk4 Golf had a gas strut for the bonnet). Below is a copy of a post I found (credit goes to forum member @don1 on vwroc.com forum for the two posts reproduced below;



And this is the subsequent update post by the same forum member (@don1);

“Update, having been in contact with VW technical services I am informed that retrofitting a gas bonnet strut to any trim of the Golf MK8 will change the Euro NCAP rating therefore invalidating uninformed insurance for the vehicle, I have been in contact with three insurance companies who informed that fitting a gas bonnet strut that was not included in the original manufacturing of the car would technically invalidate the insurance policy for the car due to non compliance with the safety rating. This is not what I wanted to hear, so it is take a chance of no cover if involved in front end crash with consequences, Sorry to be the messenger of bad news”

So it seems that retro-fitting a gas bonnet / hood strut where one was not fitted by the manufacturer runs the risk of invalidating the insurance (at least in the UK), as fitting one could technically adversely affect the vehicle’s Euro NCAP rating for pedestrian protection and crumple zone deformation. I dare say the same reasoning would apply to Cupra not fitting a strut - or struts - to the Formentor…………

I'm glad that I stumbled upon this post about insurance. I called my insurer and it was a 'no' from them!

 

[arizla]

I've now removed mine

 

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

I'm glad that I stumbled upon this post about insurance. I called my insurer and it was a 'no' from them!

Hi.
If you need any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.