finicky hatch

One peeve I have with my '05 X3 is that unless you close the hatch fairly hard it will not latch completely. I then start my car and the door ajar light is open.

Is this a particular trait for all x3's, or just mine. If so, is there any adjustments I can make?

We don't have that problem. I don't know if it's because we have the aero kit that has the extra piece at the bottom of the hatch that weighs it down a bit, but it has always shut easily.

I always close it FIRMLY on my 05. If I do not, it does not latch completely.

Cheers

I had this on my '07 and on my current '09. It doesn't seem misaligned, just that it needs a little extra something when closing.

My '08 X3 suffers the same hatch problem. It requires a firm closure.

That's odd. I just use the pull-handles, pull it about half way down firmly, and it shuts itself via gravity/momentum. Love German engineering.

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

That's odd. I just use the pull-handles, pull it about half way down firmly, and it shuts itself via gravity/momentum. Love German engineering.

same here with an '06

My 07 requieres "firm" closure too.

Maybe you guys that are having issues got a batch of heavy duty hatch struts!! lol. If it is bothersome you could probably get weaker struts to make it close easier. Like Azn, our's basically closes by itself when pulling on the inside handle with a firm pull.

My '06 requires a good slam or the light stays on and i have to stop and close it again. I even cleaned out the latch on the sill but didn't help. I just don't even think about it anymore, just slam it down.

Mine is now silky smooth, but the dealer had to adjust it last month, cause the latch wasn't disengaging propally.

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

... it shuts itself via gravity/momentum. Love German engineering.

That's the way mine works.

Just a theory, but I tend to think that being overly forceful with slamming it shut can make an initial small misadjustment worse over time.

Super, you are probably right. However, slamming it down does close it fully and keeps the annoying light off the dash and the courtesy lights out in the back seat.

Originally Posted by Supercourse

That's the way mine works.

Just a theory, but I tend to think that being overly forceful with slamming it shut can make an initial small misadjustment worse over time.

+1, never had any issue. Although the struts resistance decreases considerably with temperature but that's the way they work. An old Caddi I had used to have struts for engine hood and in winter they could not even hold the hood, imagine opening hood, looking into engine bay while its slowly falling right on your head.

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Love German engineering.

Speaking of German Engineering, have you ever taking out the factory jack? Who was the A**hole that designed the bracket that holds it? Note sure if I put it back right but it looks like you slide it under the bracket to the right. The only problem is that I couldn't get both sides to slide under the bracket - maybe it is supposed be like that but one side pops out/slides around easy. I left it like that. I don't hear it rattling because the cargo cover seems to keep it in place

My '04 definitely needs to be closed hard as well...which sucks because if you slam it too hard the plastic tabs that keep the rear panel attached to the door come undone and then it rattles. So I've learned to perform "the perfect slam" - just hard enough to latch and not jostle the tabs. Annoying at times....

Originally Posted by codog2

Speaking of German Engineering, have you ever taking out the factory jack? Who was the A**hole that designed the bracket that holds it? Note sure if I put it back right but it looks like you slide it under the bracket to the right. The only problem is that I couldn't get both sides to slide under the bracket - maybe it is supposed be like that but one side pops out/slides around easy. I left it like that. I don't hear it rattling because the cargo cover seems to keep it in place

It's supposed to be secure, and in order to do so, it takes some wiggling and dexterity to remove and replace. However I've done so many times to change wheels (yes I know, I should get a floor jack) and it's always ended nicely.

My '06 required no particular attention to get it closed. My '09 needs a solid slam.

Originally Posted by codog2

One peeve I have with my '05 X3 is that unless you close the hatch fairly hard it will not latch completely. I then start my car and the door ajar light is open.

Is this a particular trait for all x3's, or just mine. If so, is there any adjustments I can make?

Same with the 2009. Straight off the lot it required a firm slam.

I wish it would say which door was ajar and would also have an audible warning. I figure it is usually the hatch but it would be nice to have a little voice come out and say which one it is.

Maybe the next gen will have the auto hatch closure. This gen of X3s will then be classified as retro.

Originally Posted by PPXYZ

but it would be nice to have a little voice come out and say which one it is.

Is there any car in this world which "tells" you which door is ajar....?

My 99 528 shows which of the four doors or the trunk is not closed completely with a dash indicator- pretty cool

Originally Posted by X3emist

My 99 528 shows which of the four doors or the trunk is not closed completely with a dash indicator- pretty cool

Yes, most bimmers and many other cars do that, but I am yet to see a car where a "little voice" tells you "please close rear left door" May be a Rolls does that.

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

That's odd. I just use the pull-handles, pull it about half way down firmly, and it shuts itself via gravity/momentum. Love German engineering.

Agreed! My 2009 works just as expected.

Originally Posted by PPXYZ

Same with the 2009. Straight off the lot it required a firm slam.

I wish it would say which door was ajar and would also have an audible warning. I figure it is usually the hatch but it would be nice to have a little voice come out and say which one it is.

Maybe the next gen will have the auto hatch closure. This gen of X3s will then be classified as retro.

I for one, hope that there will be no auto close feature or at least make it a stand alone option only. I hate auto close and feel that it is slow and only beneficial to people that are literally physically unable to close the hatch themselves. Just my opinion.

Originally Posted by Tolland Mark

I for one, hope that there will be no auto close feature or at least make it a stand alone option only. I hate auto close and feel that it is slow and only beneficial to people that are literally physically unable to close the hatch themselves. Just my opinion.

Yup, I had that option in my '07 Passat Wagon, and there is no benefits to it, unless you like to show off in the parking lot

It's slow to open/close, and it doesn't like cold weather.