Fuel Door Locked/Stuck - Advice?

Hey guys. Well, less than a quarter tank of gas left and I pull into the station only to discover that my fuel door is locked or stuck shut. I have tried everything I know to the doors and/or fuel door to locking, unlocking, starting, stopping, slightly prying, etc and it won't budge. As some of you may remember, earlier this week I was locked in my car because the lock actuators went bad, so they were both replaced and this is the first time I have stopped for gas since the repair. Do you think somehow the lock on that door wasn't synched with the others? Or, do they doors even have to be unlocked to open the door? (I am trying to remember but I only have 1100 miles on my X3 so I honestly haven't gotten gas but one or two times).

Anybody know anything I can do to manually open it? I have enough gas to get to the dealer in the morning and hopefully they will have a loaner available even though I don't have an appointment.

Oh, btw, when I get it open can I run non-premium gas.....?? (OKAY, KIDDING, KIDDING, KIDDING, I haven't been here long but know that is one of the oldest, most overdone questions )

Thanks for your help with this.

there is a manual release behind the right rear panel in the hatch area. IIRC, it also says so in the owner's manual! =)

GEEZ, Now I see that?? I swear I looked through there 3 times but was a tad pissed, so I guess I overlooked it. Anyway, thank you. I'll see if that works in a bit, go get gas and then deal with the dealer.

Well, I still feel like an idiot for not seeing that, but released the panel, found the green emergency pull and it still will not budge at all. I was worried I was about to break the string on that I was pulling so hard, so, no luck...

I bet they didn't reconnect something after the work you had done. That could even prevent the manual release on the inside from working.

Or, do they doors even have to be unlocked to open the door?

I overlooked that line - Yes, the doors must be unlocked for the fuel door to open. There is a small pin that engages to lock whenever the doors are locked.

T

Well, just talked to my dealer and they said that the fuel door lock actuator has gone bad. They said it is not related to the others and that they have never seen this happen. Anyway, they have ordered one that should be in tomorrow and I guess I should be happy that this now means all the actuators will have been replaced. Ever heard of all these going out like this? Makes me a bit nervous for the future, but we will see. I still love the car so hopefully it was just a fluke (again).

you're happy that all your actuators on your brand new car are replaced? ... i know what you mean though... It's just sad that you even had to go there.

sorta like the fuel pump in my 318 that went bad at 40k and both front window motors that went out at 45k. you just don't expect to be replacing parts so soon on a brand new car, let alone a BMW.

"Happy" is somewhat of a fake word, but what other choice do I have? The reality is that in the scheme of things it's not a huge problem compared to what many have gone through with the transmission. Also, I do have to commend my dealership because they have provided me nothing but the best service through these issues. I traded a Nissan Murano in and had this happened to me with that, I might still be waiting at the service department and paying for my own Enterprise Chevrolet Cobalt rental. Keep your fingers crossed...