Bonnet opener query

graz74 · 01-20-2022, 02:03 PM

Having just opened my bonnet for the first time on my 2021 X3 for screen washer fluid top-up, I was surprised it took six pulls off the release lever. The manual states two, is this normal?

As long as I can open the bonnet I don't mind, but it does seem a little slack in adjustment.

Dandle · 01-20-2022, 02:11 PM

No mine is two defined pulls of the lever and its open.

On a side note it was hard to shut when i first got the car and needed slamming to get it to lock properly. This was because it was out of adjustment from the factory, after the hooks and rubbers were adjusted it shuts perfectly now.

titomi · 01-20-2022, 03:47 PM

Two pulls for me.

Gonatas23 · 01-20-2022, 04:28 PM

It should be two pulls. But you need to make them "defined" as suggested above. There is no secondary latch to release after popping the hood; a light pull on the interior release is not going to register by design.

Admiral · 01-21-2022, 02:19 AM

Two for me too

graz74 · 01-21-2022, 02:23 AM

Thanks all - I'll get the dealer to take a look when it goes in for service. Only minor adjustment I'm sure.

TomCanada · 01-21-2022, 04:49 PM

It's closing it that's an issue for me. I hate having to slam it so I need to usually go at least a couple times before I get enough downward force on it to latch.

Admiral · 01-22-2022, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomCanada

It's closing it that's an issue for me. I hate having to slam it so I need to usually go at least a couple times before I get enough downward force on it to latch.

When I picked mine up I was shown how to close the bonnet, hold it about half a metre and drop it then press down on the front edge and about 6" along both side edges, if I did not do this the bonnet would loosen and an alarm would sound after reaching about 60 mph.

By doing the above I have no problems

Dandle · 01-22-2022, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admiral

When I picked mine up I was shown how to close the bonnet, hold it about half a metre and drop it then press down on the front edge and about 6" along both side edges, if I did not do this the bonnet would loosen and an alarm would sound after reaching about 60 mph.

By doing the above I have no problems

That’s because they aren’t set up correctly. Mine is adjusted to close the same as every other BMW I’ve had, place it downs and push hard on the roundel and it closes perfectly. They are really easy to adjust and can be done in less than ten minutes. With them being slammed so hard to shut it all puts unnecessary stress on the locks and especially the release cables.

The bonnet won’t lift at all as the latch is still firmly holding it so there’s no play.

luckylingy · 01-22-2022, 05:02 AM

Uh, I believe the Admiral was correctly advised. When BMW relied on a single secondary latch under the bonnet/hood, a drop of ~18" (half meter) followed by a firm push on the roundel was the preferred method. (The secondary latch was at the car's center.) Now that BMW has two latches near the leading corners of the bonnet/hood, applying pressure on the roundel is less effective.

An 18" drop (with just a little extra downward force) should be all it takes. I just check the alignment of hood/bonnet to front fenders to affirm it's fully secured. If not, I give that corner an extra press, or I release the hood again and give it another drop. (The above is consistent with the direction in the owner's manual, BTW.)

Admiral · 01-22-2022, 05:35 AM

I remember a comment made when collecting the car and was shown what I described "Active Bonnet " was mentioned

Admiral · 01-22-2022, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dandle

That’s because they aren’t set up correctly. Mine is adjusted to close the same as every other BMW I’ve had, place it downs and push hard on the roundel and it closes perfectly. They are really easy to adjust and can be done in less than ten minutes. With them being slammed so hard to shut it all puts unnecessary stress on the locks and especially the release cables.

The bonnet won’t lift at all as the latch is still firmly holding it so there’s no play.

I'm on my Sixth BMW, two were X3's, this is the first BMW that I have had with a double catch,

Dandle · 01-22-2022, 05:42 AM

Active bonnet is for the struts at the back in the event of a collision. The reason I adjusted mine was because I wasn't happy with the alignment to the wing each side they seem miss adjusted from the factory causing the bonnet to need excessive force to shut it. Once I adjusted the hooks and rubbers it lined it up better and the bonnet also closes much nicer.

Dandle · 01-22-2022, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admiral

I'm on my Sixth BMW, two were X3's, this is the first BMW that I have had with a double catch,

My wife’s F45 uses the same system. No need to slam that either and I didn’t need to adjust that one.

01-20-2022, 02:03 PM	#1
graz74 Private 31 Rep 76 Posts Drives: BMW X3 30e Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Suffolk iTrader: (0)	Bonnet opener query Having just opened my bonnet for the first time on my 2021 X3 for screen washer fluid top-up, I was surprised it took six pulls off the release lever. The manual states two, is this normal? As long as I can open the bonnet I don't mind, but it does seem a little slack in adjustment.
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01-20-2022, 02:11 PM	#2
Dandle Lieutenant 214 Rep 538 Posts Drives: G05 X5 M50i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West London iTrader: (0)	No mine is two defined pulls of the lever and its open. On a side note it was hard to shut when i first got the car and needed slamming to get it to lock properly. This was because it was out of adjustment from the factory, after the hooks and rubbers were adjusted it shuts perfectly now.
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01-20-2022, 03:47 PM	#3
titomi Colonel 926 Rep 2,046 Posts Drives: X3 G01 30i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: EU iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 G01 [0.00]	Two pulls for me. __________________ '18 G01 X3 xDrive 30i xLine, Sophisto grey, Vernasca Mocha, Adaptive
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01-20-2022, 04:28 PM	#4
Gonatas23 New Member 6 Rep 19 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: illinois iTrader: (0)	It should be two pulls. But you need to make them "defined" as suggested above. There is no secondary latch to release after popping the hood; a light pull on the interior release is not going to register by design.
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01-21-2022, 02:19 AM	#5
Admiral Lieutenant 776 Rep 593 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 2.0D X Line G01 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Cymru UK iTrader: (0)	Two for me too
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01-21-2022, 02:23 AM	#6
graz74 Private 31 Rep 76 Posts Drives: BMW X3 30e Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Suffolk iTrader: (0)	Thanks all - I'll get the dealer to take a look when it goes in for service. Only minor adjustment I'm sure.
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01-21-2022, 04:49 PM	#7
TomCanada Private First Class 62 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	It's closing it that's an issue for me. I hate having to slam it so I need to usually go at least a couple times before I get enough downward force on it to latch.
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01-22-2022, 05:02 AM	#10
luckylingy Lieutenant Colonel 3234 Rep 1,661 Posts Drives: X3M Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Up North iTrader: (0)	Uh, I believe the Admiral was correctly advised. When BMW relied on a single secondary latch under the bonnet/hood, a drop of ~18" (half meter) followed by a firm push on the roundel was the preferred method. (The secondary latch was at the car's center.) Now that BMW has two latches near the leading corners of the bonnet/hood, applying pressure on the roundel is less effective. An 18" drop (with just a little extra downward force) should be all it takes. I just check the alignment of hood/bonnet to front fenders to affirm it's fully secured. If not, I give that corner an extra press, or I release the hood again and give it another drop. (The above is consistent with the direction in the owner's manual, BTW.)
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01-22-2022, 05:35 AM	#11
Admiral Lieutenant 776 Rep 593 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 2.0D X Line G01 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Cymru UK iTrader: (0)	I remember a comment made when collecting the car and was shown what I described "Active Bonnet " was mentioned
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01-22-2022, 05:42 AM	#13
Dandle Lieutenant 214 Rep 538 Posts Drives: G05 X5 M50i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West London iTrader: (0)	Active bonnet is for the struts at the back in the event of a collision. The reason I adjusted mine was because I wasn't happy with the alignment to the wing each side they seem miss adjusted from the factory causing the bonnet to need excessive force to shut it. Once I adjusted the hooks and rubbers it lined it up better and the bonnet also closes much nicer. Last edited by Dandle; 01-22-2022 at 05:48 AM..
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