Sounds like door handle carrier. Normally the metal around the axle breaks the first symptoms are it won't open unless you tug quickly and i suspect you just came up with a kinder softer version of tug quickly.

If you leave door open for extended period, put the interior lights into service mode by holding the dome light button for ≈ 5 second until they go out and they will stay off until you press the button again.

The dhc may have only cracked and didn't come apart yet would make for a relativity easy fix.

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2011 E70 • N55 (me)
2012 E70 • N63 (wife)