Door not closing without harder push
 

My X5 had to go in for service. When I got it back 5 days later (after DSC replacement, EMF replacement, vehicle recoding, brake fluid change,..., I get it back and all looks good (apart from the brake fluid service saying it's required now!).

There is a problem with my driver door now. There was no problem with it when I went in for server. It does not close unless I push it harder. This is driving me crazy. I'm taking it back to BMW. Picture below is how far it closes if I just give it the normal push. [Sorry, I have no idea why it's being rotated when I upload it.]

Anyone have any ideas? I can't see anything wrong the door alignment, the gaps, the hinges, etc. It all looks straight and true. It's almost like my X5 is airtight for the first time in 5 years and now the door needs more force to close :dunno:

I almost wonder if they were lowering the vehicle while the driver's door was open and the door caught something and bent somewhere in the hinge area. I know that's paranoid thinking...have you looked at the bottom edge of the door to see if there is any scratching or scuffing, or perhaps damage to the paint? How about the top of the door? (lifting vehicle with door open and the top caught something)

jeremy,

Thanks. That's a good idea. I have not done a close enough inspection of top edge or bottom edge of door.
Have mainly looked at hinge area; lock closure area and whether the door was still in alignment.

Assuming the hoist was set at the proper jack points when the vehicle was lifted? Some vehicles may not like it.

Door not closing without harder push
 

Adjust the door striker bar in just a little. Once loose move it in just a smidge and it should be flush. I did it to mine. Easy.

^ The dealership "re-secured the door panel and adjusted the striker". When I went back to pick it up, it still had the same problem :(

I got the shop foreman out. They took the X5 away, they made some more adjustments, lubricated it and now it finally appears to be back to normal. (I'm going to check it out fully this weekend.)

It so strange that (most times) the service center cannot do any quality control at all?

Oh believe me. They can't and if you don't watch them they can break shit and deny it. They know I am very meticulous about my cars. So if I say they did it they did it. They fix it for me. They have been good but some techs will try to push their luck.

Glad they got it resolved. It is usually the striker bar that needs a minor adjustment.

This highlights something... if you are really picky and care about stuff, you need to make that known to the SA in advance, but without being douchy. Look, most BMW owners are happy of the bill is under $500 and the car looks shiny when they drive it around...so most SAs and mechanics have a very low bar to aim for. But if your standards are higher, better to let them know up front. Much harder for them to address after the fact. Plus, if they DO screw up the fact that you already told them your expectations gives you the moral high-ground.

Once they know you it is easier, but breaking them in can be a challenge. Also, I only use one SA and one tech.

1000% agree. I have one SA, one Service Manager(friend) and two techs. They know I will bring it in for the little things too. But never push just ask them politely and always thank them and let them I know I appreciate it. I walk up to the techs to ask them question if I forget something and ask them to look at it for me. Talk shop, cars and life.

Mistakes can sometimes happen but it's how they handle it is what counts.

They have warrantied a lot of what they call "reconditioning" parts for me. Headlights, rear lights, rails, steering wheel etc. ;) I just don't do it all at once. :) like a brand new SUV again.

Oh yeah. Happened to me. They would bring you the car, give you the paper to sign, you drive a way - problem is still there. Makes me think: why do you not do a check if the problem is actually fixed?
It's simple: reproduce > fix > check if fixed.