My hood was half-way unlatched

mkoesel · 06-01-2009, 04:32 PM

Anyone ever experience this? I was driving down the expressway on the way home from work and noticed the left side of my hood was flapping up. Scared the sh*t out of me. I pulled into the shoulder and unlatched the reclosed it.

I am nearly certain I am the reason it happened, as I had the hood open Friday evening to add a quart of oil. But, I am surprised I did not notice it until the ride home today. Anyway, I never really considered it a possibility. I figured that if you shut it then both sides would just latch at the same time. Apparently though, it really is possible to screw up shutting your hood.

Just a friendly FYI for ya.

JCtx · 06-01-2009, 04:36 PM

With 2 separate latches, it's entirely possible, as you found out. My bet is that's due to the lightweight of the hood, necessitating 2 latches. The alternative would have been a beefier hood with the added heft. I'm fine with 2 latches. The trick is to lock the hood with your hands right above the latches, after latching the middle (safety) latch. Works for me.

Oh, and on the subject of the hood, why the heck is it lacking an insulator? Possibly clearance, but that sucks, especially in hot TX; not good for the paint in the long term. Good day.

dogears · 06-01-2009, 04:38 PM

Yep.... Has happened to me. I now know to check!!

Best to not slam it too hard.... It is easy to have one side not latch though.

NetBoy · 06-01-2009, 05:10 PM

There is a rubber or plastic knob near each latch that is adjustable, turn to raise or lower.

My passenger side was flush but the driver side had a 1/2" gap. The shop foreman lowered the knob and all good now.

PorscheRacer · 06-01-2009, 05:10 PM

Yep. Every time anyone but me closes the hood, the passenger side doesn't latch. I'll have the dealer take a look next time the car is in to see if that side needs an adjustment.

aus · 06-01-2009, 05:24 PM

Driver side seems to be the problem for most people.

JCtx · 06-01-2009, 06:05 PM

Mine require the same force. But both the height 'screwable' stops and the latches themselves are easily adjustable for a perfect fit. My hood requires normal pressure to latch; certainly a lot less than my other cars. Just make sure to leave it tight enough that the hood won't flop with the wind.

stevespools · 06-01-2009, 10:50 PM

even worse, it happened to me after a run at the track

went to open the hood and drivers side was loose - a sick feeling for sure

SlammedR8 · 06-01-2009, 11:38 PM

happens to me once in awhile, i just go and push it down right over the latch and it closes
no big deal

FlyFish · 06-01-2009, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Anyone ever experience this? I was driving down the expressway on the way home from work and noticed the left side of my hood was flapping up. Scared the sh*t out of me. I pulled into the shoulder and unlatched the reclosed it.

I am nearly certain I am the reason it happened, as I had the hood open Friday evening to add a quart of oil. But, I am surprised I did not notice it until the ride home today. Anyway, I never really considered it a possibility. I figured that if you shut it then both sides would just latch at the same time. Apparently though, it really is possible to screw up shutting your hood.

Just a friendly FYI for ya.

I'm more concerned with the need to add a quart of oil....

SlammedR8 · 06-01-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyFish

I'm more concerned with the need to add a quart of oil....

why would that concern you

?

ALL BMWs burn some oil, especially M's

FlyFish · 06-02-2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slammedm3

why would that concern you

?

ALL BMWs burn some oil, especially M's

I have had an E36 M3; didn't burn oil. I have had a 135i; didn't burn oil. And now I have an E90 M3; burns oil??? ALL BMWs burn oil, especially M's??? A rather broad-brushed statement I think.

Well, I have 5K on mine and have added ZERO oil. So, there you go; I addressed my concern which, in turn, hopefully relieved you of yours.

SlammedR8 · 06-02-2009, 12:35 AM

not sure how you drive yours, but if your pushing it; you better believe its going to burn oil. MANY BMW techs have told me this is completely normal for these engines.

not gonna argue with you though, you enjoy your non-oil burning motor.

M3_LIN · 06-02-2009, 12:44 AM

driver's side doesnt close all the way for me as well

Ed LIn

Silvertige · 06-02-2009, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3_LIN

driver's side doesnt close all the way for me as well

Ed LIn

Same here. It's kind of a pain. I really have to give it a good shove. I'll try and get it adjusted.

emergent · 06-02-2009, 04:45 AM

First time I showed someone the engine, I drove about 50 miles on the highway right after. I get home and notice a gap and realize it isn't latched all the way. I close it and it's a 1/2 inch out of alignment. I look online and see it's a fairly common problem even without driving with the lip up at ~80 mph for an hour. I can't justify putting it in the shop to fix, but it still bothers me.

carman26 · 06-02-2009, 09:03 AM

Yes, I have had the problem on the driver's side as well. Glad to know that it is easy to adjust the latch.

valeram · 06-02-2009, 09:08 AM

Yup, it happened to me once. I now always double check after opening the hood.

montreal red · 06-02-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyFish

I have had an E36 M3; didn't burn oil. I have had a 135i; didn't burn oil. And now I have an E90 M3; burns oil??? ALL BMWs burn oil, especially M's??? A rather broad-brushed statement I think.

Well, I have 5K on mine and have added ZERO oil. So, there you go; I addressed my concern which, in turn, hopefully relieved you of yours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slammedm3

not sure how you drive yours, but if your pushing it; you better believe its going to burn oil. MANY BMW techs have told me this is completely normal for these engines.

not gonna argue with you though, you enjoy your non-oil burning motor.

i can confirm this... after about 8000kms and 1 track day, i had to add half a quart of oil to get it back to the middle range again... i didnt fill it to the full mark though.

sparkyg · 06-02-2009, 10:14 AM

My passenger side does not always close.

The hood just needs a tiny throw when closing and it goes ok. Just a little more momentum.

I don't like to push on the hood. I am afaid I might bend the dam thing

lucid · 06-02-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparkyg

My passenger side does not always close.

The hood just needs a tiny throw when closing and it goes ok. Just a little more momentum.

I don't like to push on the hood. I am afaid I might bend the dam thing

Yep, it is Al, so I wouldn't push on it. I grab the roundel and give it a good pull.

Also, mkoesel, there are two side latches and the main latch in the center. The center one will always engage with the smallest effort--even when not fully locked--so I don't think there is any serious risk in driving with one of the side latches unlatched.

TwistaStick · 06-02-2009, 10:56 AM

I had a similar "Oh fuck" moment, but with the passenger door. I had opened the passenger door in the garage at one point and shut it. The door appeared to be closed and flush to the other panels. I went for a ride around town for a while. No warning lights in dash were showing. About 15 minutes into the drive I come up to an intersection where I make a fairly sharp left and the passenger door makes a loud thud. The door had come open slightly but was still caught on the latch. The warning light came on during the turn. That sound scared the shit out of me. I am so lucky it was partially latched...or else that door would have been gone (passenger ejected

). J/K on the passenger. I was driving alone.

06-01-2009, 04:32 PM	#1
mkoesel Moderator 7490 Rep 19,366 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	My hood was half-way unlatched Anyone ever experience this? I was driving down the expressway on the way home from work and noticed the left side of my hood was flapping up. Scared the sh*t out of me. I pulled into the shoulder and unlatched the reclosed it. I am nearly certain I am the reason it happened, as I had the hood open Friday evening to add a quart of oil. But, I am surprised I did not notice it until the ride home today. Anyway, I never really considered it a possibility. I figured that if you shut it then both sides would just latch at the same time. Apparently though, it really is possible to screw up shutting your hood. Just a friendly FYI for ya.
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06-01-2009, 04:36 PM	#2
JCtx Major General 308 Rep 5,017 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	With 2 separate latches, it's entirely possible, as you found out. My bet is that's due to the lightweight of the hood, necessitating 2 latches. The alternative would have been a beefier hood with the added heft. I'm fine with 2 latches. The trick is to lock the hood with your hands right above the latches, after latching the middle (safety) latch. Works for me. Oh, and on the subject of the hood, why the heck is it lacking an insulator? Possibly clearance, but that sucks, especially in hot TX; not good for the paint in the long term. Good day. Last edited by JCtx; 06-01-2009 at 04:51 PM..
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06-01-2009, 04:38 PM	#3
dogears My master volume goes to 11 67 Rep 467 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW M5 Competition Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ iTrader: (0)	Yep.... Has happened to me. I now know to check!! Best to not slam it too hard.... It is easy to have one side not latch though. __________________ 1987 Buick Grand National, 2009 BMW E90 M3, 2016 Audi S6, 2018 MB E63S AMG, currently in 2021 M5 Competition
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06-01-2009, 05:10 PM	#4
NetBoy Private First Class 31 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 2015 F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southeast iTrader: (0)	There is a rubber or plastic knob near each latch that is adjustable, turn to raise or lower. My passenger side was flush but the driver side had a 1/2" gap. The shop foreman lowered the knob and all good now.
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06-01-2009, 05:10 PM	#5
PorscheRacer Private First Class 12 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Sedan Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay Area CA iTrader: (0)	Yep. Every time anyone but me closes the hood, the passenger side doesn't latch. I'll have the dealer take a look next time the car is in to see if that side needs an adjustment.
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06-01-2009, 05:24 PM	#6
aus Major General 1007 Rep 9,088 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	Driver side seems to be the problem for most people. __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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06-01-2009, 06:05 PM	#7
JCtx Major General 308 Rep 5,017 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	Mine require the same force. But both the height 'screwable' stops and the latches themselves are easily adjustable for a perfect fit. My hood requires normal pressure to latch; certainly a lot less than my other cars. Just make sure to leave it tight enough that the hood won't flop with the wind.
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06-01-2009, 10:50 PM	#8
stevespools Private 14 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Philly area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00] 1995 BMW M3 IP [0.00]	even worse, it happened to me after a run at the track went to open the hood and drivers side was loose - a sick feeling for sure
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06-01-2009, 11:38 PM	#9
SlammedR8 Major General 578 Rep 5,481 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 40i/2020 R8 V10 Spyder Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	happens to me once in awhile, i just go and push it down right over the latch and it closes no big deal __________________ Current: 2019 BMW X5 40i - Carbon Black/Tartufo Individual Leather 2020 Range Rover HSE - Black/Black 2020 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder 6MT - Ascari Blue/Black
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06-02-2009, 12:35 AM	#13
SlammedR8 Major General 578 Rep 5,481 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 40i/2020 R8 V10 Spyder Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	not sure how you drive yours, but if your pushing it; you better believe its going to burn oil. MANY BMW techs have told me this is completely normal for these engines. not gonna argue with you though, you enjoy your non-oil burning motor. __________________ Current: 2019 BMW X5 40i - Carbon Black/Tartufo Individual Leather 2020 Range Rover HSE - Black/Black 2020 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder 6MT - Ascari Blue/Black
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06-02-2009, 12:44 AM	#14
M3_LIN LM-R Whore. 135 Rep 853 Posts Drives: 2009 White M3 Sedan Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: LA iTrader: (1)	driver's side doesnt close all the way for me as well Ed LIn __________________ 09AWE90M: Light headlight tint, Full front end clear bra wrap(Harris@InstyleGraphics), Ceramic tint(40%), Piaa GTX H3 bulb, HID 8k AE, 6k Low, INT Luxer1 lights, RD springs, LMR 20X9 +8, 20X10 +18 (Dave @ Status), Vertice CF hood Ducts(Dat @ VertexUSA), Tecnocraft FULL Envy Intake system+plenum(KEVLAR)+cabin filter covers, Meister GTC exhaust, Arkym F LIP.
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06-02-2009, 04:45 AM	#16
emergent not a poof 29 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 2013 Monte Carlo Blue X5M Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bridgewater, NJ iTrader: (0)	First time I showed someone the engine, I drove about 50 miles on the highway right after. I get home and notice a gap and realize it isn't latched all the way. I close it and it's a 1/2 inch out of alignment. I look online and see it's a fairly common problem even without driving with the lip up at ~80 mph for an hour. I can't justify putting it in the shop to fix, but it still bothers me. __________________ 2013 Monte Carlo Blue X5M \| Active Autowerkes Software \| Vorsteiner Vented Race Hood (soon) \| K&N Filters
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06-02-2009, 09:03 AM	#17
carman26 Private First Class 11 Rep 120 Posts Drives: '14 BMW 328d Sportswagon Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Yes, I have had the problem on the driver's side as well. Glad to know that it is easy to adjust the latch.
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06-02-2009, 09:08 AM	#18
valeram Major 39 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: 992 TTS, 991.2 GT3 T, F80 M3 C Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dublin, OH iTrader: (0)	Yup, it happened to me once. I now always double check after opening the hood.
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06-02-2009, 10:14 AM	#20
sparkyg Brigadier General 167 Rep 3,521 Posts Drives: A6 Allroad Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oil Country iTrader: (5)	My passenger side does not always close. The hood just needs a tiny throw when closing and it goes ok. Just a little more momentum. I don't like to push on the hood. I am afaid I might bend the dam thing
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06-02-2009, 10:56 AM	#22
TwistaStick Second Lieutenant 40 Rep 296 Posts Drives: 2009 AW BMW E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas iTrader: (0)	I had a similar "Oh fuck" moment, but with the passenger door. I had opened the passenger door in the garage at one point and shut it. The door appeared to be closed and flush to the other panels. I went for a ride around town for a while. No warning lights in dash were showing. About 15 minutes into the drive I come up to an intersection where I make a fairly sharp left and the passenger door makes a loud thud. The door had come open slightly but was still caught on the latch. The warning light came on during the turn. That sound scared the shit out of me. I am so lucky it was partially latched...or else that door would have been gone (passenger ejected ). J/K on the passenger. I was driving alone.
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