e90 trunk lid

[covinsky]

I recently bought a 2006 330xi for my wife to replace her e39. I read how the gas struts on the trunk lid go out and need to be replaced, so I installed 2 new ones. Now, my wife has such a difficult time closing the trunk (the right way, from underneath, not touching the paint, no no) that I simply reinstalled the old struts. My wifes comment was, "I'd rather lift the trunk up to open, than have such a difficult time closing the trunk. Any advice or information would be thankful. Anyone complain about difficulty closing the trunk with good or new gas struts? Thanks Chris :)

[NFerber]

I'm confused why she can't put her hand on the top of the trunk and close it? Or put your hand on the license plate and close it. Why are you so worried about the trunk lid? As long as she isn't digging her rings into the paint, what is the issue?

[mryakan]

I also do not understand why you'd replace something non-essential like that even before it breaks. Just because someone out there had theirs break, does not mean yours will. Indeed they may not last forever, I had mine lose their compression on my e36. I believe they were hydrolic (oil based) not gas based (not sure if the e90 ones are different or the same!). They stopped working because the rubber seal cracked due to the harsh winter elements over the years (after ~7 years or so mind you) which caused the oil to leak and thus lose compression. I lived with it like that for a while, but after hitting my head a couple of times with the tailgate (318ti), I replaced it. Again nothing I would consider critical enough to replace preventively. Not like you won't be able to open the trunk one day.

[covinsky]

No, I don't want to risk to damage to the paint from her rings. Yes, I do realize I did not have to replace them, but they would not raise the trunk as originally designed. As it is, the old ones will stay on there, have to lift the trunk, but also easier to close. :)

[mryakan]

I second the use of the plates to close the trunk. I do that when the car is recently cleaned to avoid smudging. That being said, I do not bother informing my wife how to shut the trunk, it is easier to just live with the scratches. They are unavoidable when you have kids anyway, and I stopped fretting that long time ago and learned to enjoy driving the car.

[Georgere]

Mine were replaced due to accident and after a couple of weeks of use they went to normal. I had BMW original parts installed- not aftermarket

[95325i]

I personally do not find the trunk of the E90 and more hard or easy to open and close compared to the E39's.

The only time I only use the trunk pulls on the car is in the winter when the car is covered in salt and road grim. I do not want to get dirty. Any other time I use the license plate to close the trunk.