[CoopersE90]

Hi folks

Looking for some advice, I took my E91 Tourer in to get a check on the boot lift which always stops at the horizontal when I give it a 'normal' tug. I then have to push it up again to get it to lift the rest of the way.

I expect it to lift in one smooth motion all the time but the stealer said "coz the weather is cold, the hydraulics in the lifting struts are a bit slower to react" Sounds like bull to me so would appreciate if anyone can tell me how theirs lifts up?

Oh and 3 of 5 times, when I close the boot, and push down with 'normal' force, the bloody lock kind of half engages leaving the boot lid loose.

It is annoying!

Thanks

[F31-340i]

Mine does this - are you sure its not deliberate so it doesn't hit the ceiling in low underground garages? (I used to use a tiefgarage that was low enough for this to be an issue). I know you can adjust how much the tailgate opens on the 5er touring with the electric opener for this very reason.

[Huds]

Mine is the same. (opening and closing.)
I still can't get used to the exact amount of effort I need to close it... and not slam it! Anyone ever lifted the rear blind mechanism out? It's the weight of a small child. And it's just a roller blind! Wonderfully over-engineered, I hope.

[HighlandPete]

I'd say the struts are a bit temperature sensitive. Also the hinges need lubrication as well. Mine start all sorts of creaking noises if not lubricated. I also clean and lubricate the strut rods, which helps smooth it all out. Then the lock works more consistently.

Anyone ever lifted the rear blind mechanism out? It's the weight of a small child. And it's just a roller blind! Wonderfully over-engineered, I hope.

Don't forget there is a security net in there as well.

HighlandPete

[chris330D]

On mine it seems to be related to how hard you pull the tailgate open. I reasonable pull and it opens fully but a light pull and it only opens part way. Don't have any noises though and never lubed it.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by CoopersE90

Hi folks

Looking for some advice, I took my E91 Tourer in to get a check on the boot lift which always stops at the horizontal when I give it a 'normal' tug. I then have to push it up again to get it to lift the rest of the way.

Yep mine too, March 09 model.

It's better in the warm weather - pops up more easily, but then its harder to shut.

Agree it squeaks a bit sometimes, needs lubing!

It is kind of useful that it doesn't fly fully open in one go else it would come a croper in some multi stories.

Generally i use the brilliant opening window for all the day to day loading.

[CoopersE90]

I thought I was getting stories from the dealer, as it is just not what I expected. I do see how it is useful in some multi stories and underground carparks and it is a total pain for those days when you are loaded up with 10 bags of shopping and don't want to load through the window (which is a fantastic contraption for smaller bags and bits and bobs)

Well I'll just have to live with it!

[SteveF1]

I had a similar problem although I have the saloon and not the estate like yourself. However, I thought my boot lid was becomming a bit of a chore to open as it felt like you physically had to lift the lid by hand and if you didn't yank it all the way up it would sit half open. I knew this wasn't right and despite greasing up the struts nothing helped.

I took the car back to the dealer and the service rep stated that once open the struts job was only to take the lid half way and you had to do the rest....on pestering them the technician took and look and said the gas struts were dead and replaced them under warranty. Now with brand new struts the boot lid flings open like nobodys business and just showed me how much they try and get out of replacing things that are faulty.

If your car is still under warranty I'd push them to check it and ask to operate another tourings boot to see if that does it. I had an 09 tourer as a courtesy car not so long back and that opened all the way without fuss. Don't let them use the excuse about the colder temperatures either. Yes that may have a small effect on the gas pressure but its not night and day and over time the gass does escape from the strut making it almost useless. Under the same temperature conditions my boot went from useless to fantastic with the change of the struts so I expect with a heavier lid like yours the difference would be greater still.

Push BMW, you may end up lucky.

[CoopersE90]

Originally Posted by SteveF1

I had a similar problem although I have the saloon and not the estate like yourself. However, I thought my boot lid was becomming a bit of a chore to open as it felt like you physically had to lift the lid by hand and if you didn't yank it all the way up it would sit half open. I knew this wasn't right and despite greasing up the struts nothing helped.

I took the car back to the dealer and the service rep stated that once open the struts job was only to take the lid half way and you had to do the rest....on pestering them the technician took and look and said the gas struts were dead and replaced them under warranty. Now with brand new struts the boot lid flings open like nobodys business and just showed me how much they try and get out of replacing things that are faulty.

If your car is still under warranty I'd push them to check it and ask to operate another tourings boot to see if that does it. I had an 09 tourer as a courtesy car not so long back and that opened all the way without fuss. Don't let them use the excuse about the colder temperatures either. Yes that may have a small effect on the gas pressure but its not night and day and over time the gass does escape from the strut making it almost useless. Under the same temperature conditions my boot went from useless to fantastic with the change of the struts so I expect with a heavier lid like yours the difference would be greater still.

Push BMW, you may end up lucky.

Thats really interesting mate, I really appreciate you taking the time to post your experience. They didn't have any tourings in at the time unfortunately, however I will definitely check one next time I am in or just change dealerships and hope for more luck from them.

If it flings up as you suggest I will definitley push for replacements.

Cheers again

CE90

[firebod]

I have just picked up my '08 320d tourer from the dealer after having the same problem, tailgate not always raising and squeaky gas struts. I thought i was being fobbed off by the dealer when they told me it was the temperature related and that it needed a 'special lubricant' for the struts. Mmmm, really!!
well it seems that all of the posts above are true, to some extent or another. My dealer showed me the PuMA report (im sure someone else can tell us what it means) they wouldn't let me have it but i did read it. Basically it said that there is a known issue with the gas struts being sensitive to the temperature. If the pressure is increased then the tailgate would fly up too fast when it is hot. It said that this issue does not warrant replacement of the struts but it can be resolved by removing the struts, cleaning and lubricating with 'special lube' and lubing the hinges.
Got mine back this morning and it seems fine
I hope this helps as I thought that that i was being fed some dealer BS as well.

[SteveF1]

Mmm thats interesting.

I got told the gas struts were a sealed unit and once they had failed and lost pressure that was it, replacement job. My dealer tried to fob me off stating temperature was the issue but that the operation of the boot should not be compromised to the point were the boot does not get lifted, the low temps merely slow the operation down somewhat. Mine failed to lift the lid at all and it was clear there was no pressure left in the strut so my dealer went for a full replacement on both sides. They tried greasing my cars hinges and lubricating the struts but it worked for five minutes and merely made the job of me lifting the bootlid up a smoother experience when in actual fact its the struts job to do that.

The difference on my lid now is night and day and how I would expect it to work.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by firebod

I have just picked up my '08 320d tourer from the dealer after having the same problem, tailgate not always raising and squeaky gas struts. I thought i was being fobbed off by the dealer when they told me it was the temperature related and that it needed a 'special lubricant' for the struts. Mmmm, really!!
well it seems that all of the posts above are true, to some extent or another. My dealer showed me the PuMA report (im sure someone else can tell us what it means) they wouldn't let me have it but i did read it. Basically it said that there is a known issue with the gas struts being sensitive to the temperature. If the pressure is increased then the tailgate would fly up too fast when it is hot. It said that this issue does not warrant replacement of the struts but it can be resolved by removing the struts, cleaning and lubricating with 'special lube' and lubing the hinges.
Got mine back this morning and it seems fine
I hope this helps as I thought that that i was being fed some dealer BS as well.

Seems virtually the same as my experience and how I commented.

I'd say the struts are a bit temperature sensitive. Also the hinges need lubrication as well. Mine start all sorts of creaking noises if not lubricated. I also clean and lubricate the strut rods, which helps smooth it all out. Then the lock works more consistently.

I know up here, cars get more of a testing than a lot of locations, as is said locally, "we get all four seasons some days". Not unusual to see more than 10-degree C temperature swing and humidity changes within hours, so this sort of thing shows up quite often. The fact it has happened from new, means it is not wear.

HighlandPete