What is normal boot opening?

[Gebbly]

Hi All,
Since I have had the car (only a few weeks) I have found that if I push in the BMW badge at the back to release the boot latch it unlocks but it doesnt raise up the boot lid at all. I have to push in the badge and lift at the same time. Once I have lifted the boot lid up it stays open ok. Is this normal or should the boot lid start to rise on its own if I push in the badge?
I saw https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=89994 late last night and wondered if I had the same problem. I'll be checking when I get home from work today.
I also wondered if I need new boot gas struts?

 

[Rockhopper]

The lid should lift just enough to get your fingers under the lip, maybe 10-15mm or so.

I didn't actually know you could open it with the badge, i always use the key or the button inside.

 

[wiganz4]

You can't open the boot on an E85 by pressing the badge......can you??!!

 

[Rockhopper]

Just been out in the wind and rain to try mine! No you can't.

 

[Gebbly]

On my Z4M E86 coupe (sorry I should have clarified before that it is the coupe), the large BMW badge in the centre on the back of the boot rotates vertically in place to release the boot catch. I'll try and get a photo when I get home.

 

[Rockhopper]

Ah, you need to ideally post in the M section of the forum then.

 

[enuff_zed]

Ah, you need to ideally post in the M section of the forum then.

I think he's in the right section. Just suffering the normal torment of buying a roadster with a welded roof.

 

[Gebbly]

Sorry, I assumed this was a standard thing across all E86s.

 

[Gebbly]

So on inspection I dont have the springs mentioned in the thread I linked to. The only thing attached to the boot lid is the struts. Using the badge to undo the latch releases the catch (you can hear it and lift the boot) but the boot lid does not raise at all. Here are a couple of photos of the badge mechanism I was trying very badly to describe.

 

[axelleveau]

[ref]Gebbly[/ref], what you are experiencing is normal. I went through the effort of changing the struts on mine (it needed fresh ones anyway as was struggling to keep up with the extendable cover attached) BUT when you push the roundel or the key button the boot only goes up by 15mm, you have to help it half way up before the struts do the rest

 

[Mr Tidy]

That is all they are designed to do - all three of my E86s have been the same.

I suppose if you could find a firm that could supply some higher pressure struts it may be possible to get the tailgate to open. Both my E46 Compacts had strong enough struts to open the tailgate fully (unless it was really cold).

But then my Sport Compact had an aerodynamics kit as standard with different sills and bumpers to other trim levels, but Z4 owners were expected to buy Aeros.

 

[Gebbly]

I see. Thanks for clearing that up everyone.

 

[tonyz4c]

On a coupé the badge only open to let you put a Key to open the trunk if you have a drained battery

 

[Gebbly]

badge only open to let you put a Key

Perhaps its different for my z4mc? The photo above in which you can see my finger pushing the badge is as far as the badge will rotate. I dont think I can fit a key in there.

 

[pp1600]

badge only open to let you put a Key

Perhaps its different for my z4mc? The photo above in which you can see my finger pushing the badge is as far as the badge will rotate. I dont think I can fit a key in there.

If you look under the badge lower lip.. when you push it in as shown in your photo...you will see the boot lock.

Do you not have a 'boot open' button on your keyfob? ..

 

[Gebbly]

If you look under the badge lower lip

Well I'll be jiggered, thats hidden away. I never would have found that without you guys. Thanks!

Do you not have a 'boot open' button on your keyfob?

I do but as with the badge button, if I push the button on the key fob the boot makes the unlatching noises but doesnt raise up at all. So the only way to really open the boot is to push in the badge and lift at the same time.

With both the badge push and the fob button push the latching mechanism will unlatch and then relatch. So I cant push in the badge, wait for the noises to finish and then lift. I have to push in and apply a slight lifting force straight away.

Starting to think it might be worth getting new struts to see if that gives me the slight lift of 15mm that others mention.