Help needed! E93 M3 trunk won't open, top stuck...

SWOT1 · 02-23-2020, 11:56 AM

Hey Gang (my fellow E93 owners), need your help ASAP! My top won't completely close and now won't open either... more importantly I can't open the trunk, and I need to get in there. As you know, there's NO keyhole and the fob and button in car won't release the trunk. I'm convinced boxes in the trunk (it's full) moved around and are blocking the sensors, showing its impaired (PLEASE see pics)... Need your advise, ASAP, as to how to get that trunk open.

da jemster · 02-25-2020, 06:44 PM

There is a keyhole for our trunk. The button is on the right-hand side from the license plate. Look up and you can stick your key in it.

Dpc2u · 02-25-2020, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da jemster

There is a keyhole for our trunk. The button is on the right-hand side from the license plate. Look up and you can stick your key in it.

Unfortunately that was only true until early 09 models. After that, no hidden keyhole. The only other way is to pop the tag lights out and fish around for the cable that is to the emergency pull handle. Not easy, but can be done. In OP's situation, that may not help either as it sounds like it is partially open from the back already. Not sure, his pic links are dead.

:

SWOT1 · 02-25-2020, 07:12 PM

Update: Finally got into the trunk!! (there is a keyhole underneath rear lid, which finally popped the trunk, thank god! Rebooted the battery, nothing. Scanned the computer for codes, nothing. Was able to manually screw the front of the top down with the pop-down screw in the roof... locked. but the middle and back of roof aren't in the closed position, but safe enough to drive slowly now to the dealership.... hoping its just a sensor.
THANKS for all the input. Will update once I have an answer.

*and I couldn't use the pass through as I've got the cold package ski-bag in place.... won't open through the rear seats, goes down only through the trunk.

Dpc2u · 02-25-2020, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWOT1

Update: Finally got into the trunk!! (there is a keyhole underneath rear lid, which finally popped the trunk, thank god! Rebooted the battery, nothing. Scanned the computer for codes, nothing. Was able to manually screw the front of the top down with the pop-down screw in the roof... locked. but the middle and back of roof aren't in the closed position, but safe enough to drive slowly now to the dealership.... hoping its just a sensor.
THANKS for all the input. Will update once I have an answer.

*and I couldn't use the pass through as I've got the cold package ski-bag in place.... won't open through the rear seats, goes down only through the trunk.

Good deal, hopefully it is an easy fix!
You must have an early 09. I recently did a CSL deck lid swap on a late 09 for a friend, no keyhole.

da jemster · 02-25-2020, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dpc2u

Unfortunately that was only true until early 09 models. After that, no hidden keyhole....

You learn something new everyday!

Throatpunch · 02-26-2020, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dpc2u

Good deal, hopefully it is an easy fix!
You must have an early 09. I recently did a CSL deck lid swap on a late 09 for a friend, no keyhole.

I have an 08 confirmed by Vin and have the keyhole

Dpc2u · 02-26-2020, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Throatpunch

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dpc2u

Good deal, hopefully it is an easy fix!
You must have an early 09. I recently did a CSL deck lid swap on a late 09 for a friend, no keyhole.

I have an 08 confirmed by Vin and have the keyhole

Yep, you are one of the lucky ones. Everything '10 forward and some late 09's it is no longer there. Not sure what BMW was thinking on that one! Guess designers needed a chuckle.

Blindside_137 · 02-26-2020, 08:14 AM

Agreed. Had one on my '09 E93. Not having a hidden keyhole on my E90 trunk is the sole reason I won't ever get the IND key hole delete for the driver door.

M3_92101 · 03-04-2020, 12:35 PM

OP: were you able to get the roof problem fixed? Just trying to hold you to your promise to report back!

MrTracy · 04-11-2020, 01:53 PM

I am curious about this one too. I currently have the same problem

illusiveM3 · 04-15-2020, 09:15 AM

I had this exact problem about 4 weeks ago. I drove 40 miles to the nearest dealership (in 30 degree weather). It was awful because the windows were stuck in the down position, and I had the convertible top strapped closed to my headrest - literally the worst experience ever.

Because mine is a 2011, no key hole in trunk. Dealership had to remove back seats to eventually replace a faulty wiring harness. Luckily, I have an extended warranty because the labor was a beating ($1550). Total invoice was $2,348.13 but I only paid my deductible of $250. They had my car for three entire weeks, essentially a few days for diagnosing because they had to identify the culprit (sensors, motor, wiring), with the rest of the time waiting on parts and approval for work from warranty company. Pretty much a brutal process overall, but in the end, my convertible top will now function properly.

Good luck man. Hope you have a better experience than me...

exnoodle · 04-17-2020, 08:36 PM

I had a similar issue w/ my 2008. It ended up being the two salmon colored relays in the trunk that operate the hydroelectric convertible top.

Link to someone on the forum that had an issue with their top and solution of the salmon colored relays:
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh....php?t=1010497

I hope this helps.

Keep us posted on a potential solution once you learn more.

02-23-2020, 11:56 AM	#1
SWOT1 The Hammock Man 493 Rep 593 Posts Drives: X3MC, X3 M40i, E93 M3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW E93 M3 [8.00] 2020 BMW X3M Comp. [0.00] 2018 BMW X3 M40i [9.00]	Help needed! E93 M3 trunk won't open, top stuck... Hey Gang (my fellow E93 owners), need your help ASAP! My top won't completely close and now won't open either... more importantly I can't open the trunk, and I need to get in there. As you know, there's NO keyhole and the fob and button in car won't release the trunk. I'm convinced boxes in the trunk (it's full) moved around and are blocking the sensors, showing its impaired (PLEASE see pics)... Need your advise, ASAP, as to how to get that trunk open. Attached Images __________________ - '20 X3MC \| Alpine White \| Black Alcantara/Midrand Beige \| loaded \| 295/265 PS4S - '09 E93 M3 \| Alpine White \| Bamboo Beige Novillo \| DCT \| loaded \| Chrome M220 Wheels - 275/255 PSS Last edited by SWOT1; 02-25-2020 at 07:09 PM..
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02-25-2020, 06:44 PM	#2
da jemster Second Lieutenant 78 Rep 230 Posts Drives: E46 M3,E93 M3,F22 M235i,i1 i3 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	There is a keyhole for our trunk. The button is on the right-hand side from the license plate. Look up and you can stick your key in it. __________________ '04 E46, '08 E93, '16 F22 M235i, '17 i01 i3
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02-25-2020, 07:12 PM	#4
SWOT1 The Hammock Man 493 Rep 593 Posts Drives: X3MC, X3 M40i, E93 M3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW E93 M3 [8.00] 2020 BMW X3M Comp. [0.00] 2018 BMW X3 M40i [9.00]	Update: Finally got into the trunk!! (there is a keyhole underneath rear lid, which finally popped the trunk, thank god! Rebooted the battery, nothing. Scanned the computer for codes, nothing. Was able to manually screw the front of the top down with the pop-down screw in the roof... locked. but the middle and back of roof aren't in the closed position, but safe enough to drive slowly now to the dealership.... hoping its just a sensor. THANKS for all the input. Will update once I have an answer. *and I couldn't use the pass through as I've got the cold package ski-bag in place.... won't open through the rear seats, goes down only through the trunk. Attached Images __________________ - '20 X3MC \| Alpine White \| Black Alcantara/Midrand Beige \| loaded \| 295/265 PS4S - '09 E93 M3 \| Alpine White \| Bamboo Beige Novillo \| DCT \| loaded \| Chrome M220 Wheels - 275/255 PSS
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02-26-2020, 08:14 AM	#9
Blindside_137 Lieutenant General 6707 Rep 10,598 Posts Drives: 2011.75 SSII E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (2)	Agreed. Had one on my '09 E93. Not having a hidden keyhole on my E90 trunk is the sole reason I won't ever get the IND key hole delete for the driver door.
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03-04-2020, 12:35 PM	#10
M3_92101 Enlisted Member 35 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Finland iTrader: (0)	OP: were you able to get the roof problem fixed? Just trying to hold you to your promise to report back!
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04-11-2020, 01:53 PM	#11
MrTracy Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: MB S550 MB CL600 328i Converti Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Bowie, MD iTrader: (0)	I am curious about this one too. I currently have the same problem
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04-15-2020, 09:15 AM	#12
illusiveM3 Private 13 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 6MT Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Longview, Texas iTrader: (0)	I had this exact problem about 4 weeks ago. I drove 40 miles to the nearest dealership (in 30 degree weather). It was awful because the windows were stuck in the down position, and I had the convertible top strapped closed to my headrest - literally the worst experience ever. Because mine is a 2011, no key hole in trunk. Dealership had to remove back seats to eventually replace a faulty wiring harness. Luckily, I have an extended warranty because the labor was a beating ($1550). Total invoice was $2,348.13 but I only paid my deductible of $250. They had my car for three entire weeks, essentially a few days for diagnosing because they had to identify the culprit (sensors, motor, wiring), with the rest of the time waiting on parts and approval for work from warranty company. Pretty much a brutal process overall, but in the end, my convertible top will now function properly. Good luck man. Hope you have a better experience than me...
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04-17-2020, 08:36 PM	#13
exnoodle Private 25 Rep 60 Posts Drives: BMW M3 (E93) Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I had a similar issue w/ my 2008. It ended up being the two salmon colored relays in the trunk that operate the hydroelectric convertible top. Link to someone on the forum that had an issue with their top and solution of the salmon colored relays: https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh....php?t=1010497 I hope this helps. Keep us posted on a potential solution once you learn more.
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