Mine works exactly the same. I have to lift the hood up after it's released, but as long as I lift it more than halfway, it will stay in that position. As long as I still have to pull it down to start the close action, I figure the struts are good.

2002 X5 3.0 293,800 miles
2014 428i 14,600 miles

2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles