Hillbilly Review of Sensen Front and Rear Shocks and Struts

Hey Everyone,

Figured as I am going through and replacing parts I might as well do some reviews on the parts that I am using. Most of mine will be budget parts as I am not looking to put a ton of money into this 14 year old vehicle. So this will be the first installment of my reviews.

I ordered the full set of Sensen Shocks and Struts off of ebay for $160. Link is below:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sensen-Front-Rear-Shocks-Struts-for-02-06-Mini-Cooper-Lifetime-Warranty/152454332678?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

First off, shipping was quick and everything arrived undamaged. Right and left struts were labelled clearly.

One positive thing to mention on these is that there is a LIFETIME warranty on these, so if you blow one out you can return it for a new one. Obviously a hassle that you have to send back a bad one before they send you a new one so hopefully you have a backup vehicle that you can use for a week or so.

I took the old struts completely out to replace these, broke off the pinch bolt on the drivers side because I didn't heat it up hot enough before trying to take it out, should've known better. The new struts came with new top nuts but they were a different size than the OEM. They do not come with new bumpstops or bushings so you will need to reuse the old ones.

During install some grease on the bottom of the front struts helped slide them into place, also had to break out the BFH to vibrate it into place since the new struts didn't fit in perfectly.

Ease of install: Intermediate had to remove entire strut assembly, would go easier with a helper to push down springs
Time for install: 2 hours (4 beers) if everything goes correctly, 4 hours (6 beers, 6 choice curse words) if you break off the pinch bolts
Ride quality: Better than it was with 2 blown shocks but not as good as a ride with OEM shocks that all are in working condition. Also better than riding in my lifted Cherokee.

Let me know what you guys think of this type of review, am I missing anything or would you like other questions answered? I am planning on doing more of these so feedback is appreciated to make them better.

 

Bahahaha, you just have to trust in the rum! The rum knows best! I know right after I snapped that bolt I threw the breaker bar so hard it cut right through the extension cord to my light. I know right, great aim dummy, so I had one more thing to fix.

I found the same ones on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Front-Rear-Struts-02-06-Cooper/dp/B075MQQHKN/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1527355848&vehicle=2004-32-218-1--17-6-5-4825-111-1-1-2648--2-0&sr=1-3&ymm=2004%3Amini%3Acooper&refinements=p_89%3ASensen+Shocks+%26+Struts

Again, they the fronts take some persuasion to get into the steering knuckle but once they are in they work pretty well. Probably won't match bilsteins but for half the price they work fine for my street driving uses.

 

Looking forward to seeing that section up and running!

I didn't replace mine for cost-savings reasons and they were is decent condition, I read a lot into the PowerFlex bushings and they seem like they would work well but are kind of expensive at first. Although they would probably last the life of the car. Looking forward to doing more of these.

 

Dang, I will have to keep an eye out for that then on these Sensen Shocks, I did drive it to Iowa and back from Ohio so next time I have the wheels off I may check that out. Ride was still good, although I still need an alignment after I changed those and my strut tower mounts. Waiting till after I put on my UTIs and poly control arm bushings.

Thanks for adding the review, now if anyone is doing research they can compare and know they should definitely not get the Staggs.