Defective Hydraulic Compensator -Hydromat BOGE - any core value?

[scoot]

I have a bad hydraulic compensating spring from a former car.  Is there any point in putting on ebay or are they worthless...
thanks

[Rick]

I would expect that these would have some value.  I understand that Boge is able to rebuild these now and a core would be useful.   For cars which were originally equipped with these (not the W113), many were removed over the years and a compensator spring was installed in its place.   I had a W111 coupe which I purchased and it came with a spring rather than the original hydraulic unit.  I was able to replace the spring with a Boge dampener and it made a huge difference in the ride, handling and stance of the car.  These are more than just a hydraulic spring.  They also self-level and adjust the car height as you drive to varying loads and conditions. .   If I could put one on a car, rather than a spring, I certainly would.

[66andBlue]

For sure NOT worthless. I have seen them advertised as "defect" on German web sites for EUR 100 - 250.
Boge/ZF will refurbish them (about EUR 700) as long as they have not been messed with.

[ja17]

The Classic Center will not sell you a newly reconditioned one unless you have a good core to trade in. So these cores are in demand.

[Benz Dr.]

I knew I kept all of that old stuff for a reason. Maybe my cores will actually be worth something some day.

[stickandrudderman]

LOL. I've binned loads of these!

[wwheeler]

Not worthless for sure. As Joe said, Classic Center requires a core. Possible they would buy old ones? Might check. With the values of the 3.5 W111 cars going sky high, restorers will want that piece of the puzzle.
I had mine rebuilt by Boge/ZF and is working well to this day. Shipping was a bit of a pain as was transferring the money into the native currency. In all, I saved a good amount. But for the US folks, now is a great time as the exchange rate with the Euro is a whole lot lower than when I did it. Today it is almost 1 to 1.

I can try to dig up email contacts for ZF/Boge if you want. That was 5 or more years ago, so who knows if the info is fresh.

[mbzse]

This is current ZF contact information for the Boge Compensator:

ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Geschäftsfeld Dämpfungsmodule
Bogestraße 50
D-53783 Eitorf

Att: Herr Mönchrath oder Frau Jung (stefanie.jung@zf.com)
Tel. +49 2243 12 423