[ghueser]

For those of us that did not get the Convenience Package, or the Motorized Trunk (depending on where you are located in the world).....I though you might like to see a pickure of a solution I have been using ever since having my 2003 530i. It is a Stainless Steel Bracket that locates under the license plate, and offers a good alternaitve to putting your hand on the trunk lid or elswhere when closing the trunk manually. I bought this particualr one from a local Saab Dealer and at the time, they had Bright Stainless, Black, and a couple of others if I remember. Not sure if they still have these, but have heard that Mercedes offers a similar device as well. If anything, it keeps you from leaving dirty finger print marks on the trunklid.........although I know all the members of this Forum keep their cars absolutely clean.

[grimlock]

thanks! this is the holy grail for us non-autotailgate folks
gotta love that Saab technology..

[SpawneyGet]

I want one!

I wonder if there is a UK version to fit on UK number plate holes. So far I can only find them on US websites.

[gatoman39]

very good idea.

[EV0LVE]

I've been closing my trunk by holding on to the license plate, and this is an alternative.

[MBrown1003]

There's an indentation on the inside of the trunk lid. If you grab that, pull down sharply, and let go, the trunk lid closes and no fingerprints on the metal. I discovered this on the video that accompanied my 1997 528i, and every BMW I've had since then (two more E39s, an E92, and current E90) had the same indentation in the trunk.

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by MBrown1003

There's an indentation on the inside of the trunk lid. If you grab that, pull down sharply, and let go, the trunk lid closes and no fingerprints on the metal. I discovered this on the video that accompanied my 1997 528i, and every BMW I've had since then (two more E39s, an E92, and current E90) had the same indentation in the trunk.

Oh cr**, I remember seeing this before! How did I forget about it?
Now I don't have to do this expensive Saab mod..

[Vinfast]

Originally Posted by MBrown1003

There's an indentation on the inside of the trunk lid. If you grab that, pull down sharply, and let go, the trunk lid closes and no fingerprints on the metal. I discovered this on the video that accompanied my 1997 528i, and every BMW I've had since then (two more E39s, an E92, and current E90) had the same indentation in the trunk.

The only bad thing about the handle is the first two times you try it, it pops back up. You really have to slam in in order for it to stay shut.

[bfv]

Originally Posted by MBrown1003

There's an indentation on the inside of the trunk lid. If you grab that, pull down sharply, and let go, the trunk lid closes and no fingerprints on the metal. I discovered this on the video that accompanied my 1997 528i, and every BMW I've had since then (two more E39s, an E92, and current E90) had the same indentation in the trunk.

Is it possible to take a photo and display here? Thank you.

[Vinfast]

It' just a hole in the trunklid underneath where the tail lights are on the inside. There is one on each side of the license plate.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by MBrown1003

There's an indentation on the inside of the trunk lid. If you grab that, pull down sharply, and let go, the trunk lid closes and no fingerprints on the metal. I discovered this on the video that accompanied my 1997 528i, and every BMW I've had since then (two more E39s, an E92, and current E90) had the same indentation in the trunk.

Doesn't work on mine as the opening spring is too strong - or perhaps I'm too weak to overcome it!
The spring assisted opening is fine, but I prefer the way it was on my old E92. OK, you had to manually lift the boot lid, but it was very well balanced and to close it all you had to do was let it drop from about 9" and it shut itself.
I've adjusted the bump stops on my F10 to the point where they give minimum resistance whilst still imparting a positive force on the closed latch , but it still takes a hefty slam to shut it.

[cliveywolves]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Doesn't work on mine as the opening spring is too strong - or perhaps I'm too weak to overcome it!
The spring assisted opening is fine, but I prefer the way it was on my old E92. OK, you had to manually lift the boot lid, but it was very well balanced and to close it all you had to do was let it drop from about 9" and it shut itself.
I've adjusted the bump stops on my F10 to the point where they give minimum resistance whilst still imparting a positive force on the closed latch , but it still takes a hefty slam to shut it.

Yep i raised that with my dealer about how strong the springs are he agreed and said a lot of people have raised the same issue.. mine does close with a firm pull down 9 times out of 10 but the auto spring action opening is a nice little function...

[Jon D]

Another thing I discovered is that the opening arc of the bottom lip extends beyond the bumper - in other words, if you're parked very close to a wall, the lip will contact it. Just managed to stop mine in time, but it was very close to sustaining damage.
On balance, I'd prefer manual opening and easy closing.