Boot won't stay propped open...
 

...this morning open the boot - it feels like a dead weight trying to lift it open, almost like it's caught on something or there's a huge weight on the little cargo shelf. Push it all the way to the max open spot, where it would normally stay on its own and it just falls closed like a ton of bricks. Unhook the cargo shelf, repeat and same thing. No unusual sounds. Closes properly. Have noticed over last few weeks it's felt a little unusual, but today out of the blue it won't stay open.

Is this a hinge issue? Replacement or tightening? Oil?

Thanks

What kind of hinge is yours....mine is a hydraulic hinge....could need to be replaced

yup hydraulic - hinge on both sides

sounds like the pressure in the prop went out....can that be re-pressurized or would it have to be replaced?

Check the actual hinges too to see if they might have cracked. Come 1st gen cars had issues with the hinge attachments. It sounds like this could be fixed with 2 new gas struts. The ones on my '02 are a little weak and sometimes need help getting to the top.

Happened to mine a long time ago - I replaced both gas struts. It's a DIY job, a little trickey, but do-able.

The hatch is HEAVY and you don't realize how much so until those struts aren't working...

Ok. Do the cracks usually occur near the boot attachment or on the attachment point to the car? Any idea how much struts cost?

Obviously not the end of the world, but would hate to see one my kids open the boot and get wacked in the head (or I forget in haste and develop bonk to the noggen)

I ordered replacements from Classic MINI in OH (a NAM vendor). They give a discount on OEM parts. Send email to Jayson: bmwparts@classicautocampus.com

Ask for the NAM discount and he'll quote you a price.

http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NMX7661/InvDetail.cfm

45.99/ea at Mini Mania. Hmm, is it a big enough deal to blow the $100 now or ride it out til it's really irritating....

or other websites, such as http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/200...tch_strut.html which have them for much less. looks like the minimania prices is similar to dealership pricing.

Sweet - thanks for the info.

lots of hatchbacks and SUVs and crossovers use struts like these - your local autopart store may have a generic that fits. They just "snap" on.....

Just saw another thread about this. The part is called a Hatch Shock Part no. NMX7661

Here's a link to a page that has it for cheaper and it comes from an actual BMW supplier (scroll to bottom):
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...-7-139-735-M26

Here's the link to the other thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3900785

You can buy 2 Lift struts for about $45 if you look around (including shipping)...about a 5 minute job to replace both....Got mine on rockauto.com, amazon has similar....even pelicanparts has them listed for similar $$.
one tip....put a dab of grease on the balls when you put the new struts on...
another tip...er regular maintenance item...
LUBE the HINGE at the top regularly....they can go dry...and fail/wear on gen1 cars...

$37.80/pair was the best I could find.

I had a Volare station wagon long ago and the struts crapped out. I kept a pair of vice grips back there and I'd snap them on to one of the struts to keep the hatch open. Until I could afford some junkyard struts.