Well when I chimed in on this back in July I had indeed lubed it up with some quality Lithium based stuff.

The problem went away, but then later in the year we noted that when we locked the car, the rear hatch would often not lock. Not always, but 30% of the time. The car would be alarmed, but the gate would remain unlocked.

On Monday I drove the car as we had some winter weather, and used the hatch with no issue. Since then, it's now stuck shut. Tried the key itself in the rear lock , got nowhere.

So even aside from permanent repair....any guesses on getting this sucker open?

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1993 300E
1999 E320 Estate