The tailgate gas struts seem to offer no resistance when closing but are able to hold the tailgate open with no problems.

Is this how they are designed or should the struts offer some resistance when closing ?? Regards
Mark

2012 Westminster
GONE - 2007 Java Black FF Vogue, with Ivory interior

The upper tailgate closing is not damped (or at least wasn't on my 02 and not on the 2010). If you close it down to about 8-10 inches from shut it will them slam under its own weight. There is a little resistance up to that point. Thats my experience at least. 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

Not damped on mine either. I was a little surprised at first but have now gotten used to lowering it down and then letting it close under its own weight as ajac described.

Same here..... Not very classy ! 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

I always worry it's going to break the glass

I agree fish, I try to hold it under the letters R and A. I've had it unlock again when it's shut. I now avoid holding around the micro button bit that opens it.

Can't count the number of times I've cringed when sat in car and SWMBO gives it a good shove closed
Sure has some weight to it .. 2003 4.4 Adriatic Blue FF

That makes me cringe too! Especially when the teenage daughter uses it! Usually followed by a “sorry! Forgot again"

Glad I'm not the only one that has that ^^  Regards
Mark

2012 Westminster
GONE - 2007 Java Black FF Vogue, with Ivory interior

It is one of those things that I still can't believe that is happening to a premium vehicle like this. And if it doesn't slam hard enough, it won't bloody lock either well the 4.2 for sure.

My 19 year old Merc has soft close on all doors and the trunk lid and it is brilliant. Unfortunately teenage daughters just can't seem to handle that sort of finesse. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

When I first got mine, had to really slam the upper tail gate shut. Did a bit of digging around and found that the latch mechanism in the lower tail gate was loose. Managed to take trim off, which gave access to tighten mechanism up (they are torx screws/bolts). That did the business and since then, tailgate shuts with barely a click!. Previous cars:
S-Max 2007-2013 (only diesel I've had, good car but expensive when diesely bits go wrong, so what's the point?)
Galaxy 2001-2007
Mondeo Estate 1997-2001
Sierra Estate 1993-1997
Uno Turbo 1987 -1993
Fiesta 1984 - 1987
Fiat 127 1982 - 1984

 MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

All my family members seem to have become quite adept at slamming the tailgate... and its always inevitably preceded by them faffing about with the parcel shelf with a bewildered look on their face because they STILL don't understand how to fold it back even after numerous demonstrations!

This!!!