Just bought a 2012 V8V S that looks fresh from the new car showroom. I have to dig at the seam at the bottom of the hatch in order to lift it open, and I'm concerned that I will scratch the paint over time. Years ago I saw ads for door poppers for customized cars. Has anyone done something similar on a Vantage hatch? Or am I missing an easier way to open the hatch?

 

I have to do that too…will pull a finger nail sooner or later..it’s not much of a gap…and the rubber stops are as far out as they will go..

 

Folks ..... I had the same problem. Research and investigation showed me that the two (2) hatch poppers, one located on each of the lower corners of hatch had broken down. They are NOT bumpers but spring loaded.

These are inexpensive parts and easily replaced. Further, I installed a plastic glass cushion on the body of the car to add a bit more "pop". Here is the part number: 6G33-N40452-AB Bump Stop Assembly, Deck Lid

Enjoy one of the few replacement AM parts that sells for less than US$20.00 ....

 

...after several years I found that the gap for the fingers is much wider in the outer corners...

 

I have a strip of PPF along the back bumper where it meets the trunk lid. Also needed to keep the CTEK plug from rubbing against the same area.

 

Thank you, msark!

Splitting hairs here, but they are actually a combo bumper and spring-loaded popper. The popper piston did not move freely on either unit, with one being much worse than the other. I sprayed a dry lube w/ Teflon into the body and worked the piston through its stroke several times, then repeated the process. I also adjusted the bumper body so that the hatch is perfectly aligned with the surrounding bodywork. This required extending it 2 turns on one side, one turn on the other. My hatch now pops up a couple of mm - enough to make it easy to grab the lower edge.

This was also a reminder that I really should do more investigation before turning to the forum for help. I've always been one of the guys that "figured stuff out" and then shared that knowledge on my previous vehicles. The Aston is a clear cut above those cars/rvs/offroad toys/race cars, but take away the gorgeous design and top-drawer materials and it is still a car, and I should be able to figure the simple stuff out.

 

Lol, the most effective thing I've done, is to leave the hatch open for an hour or so. It now pops up enough to get at the lower edge. I don't quite understand why that happened, but I'm happy it did.

 

You might also change the rear struts. There are the OEM's as well as some available with a bit more pressure to give a more powerful lift up

 

Yup. Struts hold the hatch open just fine, so I'll stick with them for the time being.

 

Just an FYI, there is a BMW part for the same hatchback poppers: 51248187291 (buffer stop with ejector).
I just mounted them on my trunk and they fit perfectly.

 

great find. Do they pop up the lid?

 

Yes, just like the Aston ones. Gives you enough clearance to sneak a finger under the lid.