Bonnet alignment

SilverGrey · 09-20-2017, 02:50 AM

A colleague has just pointed out that it looks like the bonnet on my 4GC appears to be open on one side. I went and had a look and it appear to be misaligned slightly, and sitting slightly higher on the driver's side. I found a photo of the car when I took delivery (it was new) and all looked ok then. The car is only 4 months old and nothing has hit it.

I did open the bonnet at the weekend when I washed the car, but I'm always careful when closing car bonnets, so didn't slam it. Seems a bit of a coincidence.

Is this an easy thing to fix? Do I need to book it in at the dealer? My colleague suggested I just drop in and get them to have a look in the hope they might be able to adjust it there and then.

TIA.

robbiep · 09-20-2017, 02:58 AM

Yes, they'll probably be able to adjust it. Try it yourself, and if you get it wrong you could actually cause damage.

bunzo · 09-20-2017, 03:07 AM

My wife had exactly the same concern on her 4 series convertible (new in June this year) - bonnet was sitting slightly higher on the drivers side after opening/shutting for the first time - she took it to the dealer and they just shut it for her! It needed a little more force than you might think necessary. If it wasn't like that when you bought it, then hopefully that's all this is.

xenon · 09-20-2017, 03:19 AM

Yes there's a catch on either side - one hasn't engaged. Give it an old-fashioned shut. Job done.

Hooded · 09-20-2017, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

Yes there's a catch on either side - one hasn't engaged. Give it an old-fashioned shut. Job done.

This ^

If you shut it a bit harder both catches will engage and it should be aligned then.

Abzynthe · 09-20-2017, 03:27 AM

I have the same problem. Mine is nothing to do with the catches though as I have tried several times. I've also tried pushing the bumper closer to the bonnet and tightening the screws, but to no avail.
I'm not confident enough to fiddle with the hinges.

DarrenL_007 · 09-20-2017, 04:32 AM

I've also had problems when closing my bonnet on my 4GC. On my E91 I would just drop the bonnet from about 30cm and it would close perfectly but on this one I have to give it a good slam. If I don't slam it shut them it's usually the offside of the bonnet that doesn't close properly.

SilverGrey · 09-20-2017, 05:34 AM

Thanks guys. I was taught not to slam bonnets as that was a sure fire way of smashing glass headlights. I'll give it a firmer whack and hopefully save myself a trip to the dealers!

f32-440i · 09-20-2017, 07:50 AM

Same here on my 4 series LCI, have to give it a bit of a slam for it to close properly

Nobby Clark · 09-20-2017, 08:12 AM

You can adjust the metal catches by giving them a half turn at a time. They should engage properly then and pull the bonnet into position.

Jonesy72 · 09-20-2017, 08:26 AM

Same on my 4 GC. Passenger side didn't close properly. Just needed a shove.

MrChumley · 09-20-2017, 09:05 AM

Same on my F33 - sometimes needs a gentle push with the heel of my hand.

If it used to shut level you shouldn't need to adjust anything.

I think the reason it's quite common is that bonnets are very light these days.

Alkidrew · 09-20-2017, 10:04 AM

worth checking the rubber seal under the front of the bonnet (on the engine bay) is pushed down properly. when i fitted my new black grills i removed the rubber seal to give access but failed to put the seal back down quite firmly enough so it kept the front lip of the bonnet up on one side. easy to fix if that was it.

HighlandPete · 09-20-2017, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverGrey

Thanks guys. I was taught not to slam bonnets as that was a sure fire way of smashing glass headlights. I'll give it a firmer whack and hopefully save myself a trip to the dealers!

You can be too gentle, many simply drop the bonnet from a reasonable height.

Goes again my training as well.

320dAsh · 09-20-2017, 11:20 AM

I called out BMW Assist the day I picked my car up because of this. The BMW tech said they need a good slam due to having two catches and the bonnet being light. He also said don't push it down on one side as this could bend the bonnet.

Malone · 09-20-2017, 01:02 PM

I found this the first time I tried to shut the bonnet (gently) on our F31. Found that letting it drop from about a foot will make it shut properly!

HighlandPete · 09-20-2017, 01:21 PM

What I don't follow from BMW instructions, why drop the bonnet from about 40cm if you still have to push it down to lock? At least on my car a gentle close works every time.

The following instructions are for the F10/11, similar for the F3x models.

SilverGrey · 09-20-2017, 03:45 PM

A firm slam from about a foot or so did the trick! A definite relief!

I’ve had several BMWs in the past but this was a new thing for me. At first I thought I had somehow broken something or that my car had somehow been damaged when parked up.

MrChumley · 09-20-2017, 04:12 PM

I think again it comes down to the weight. Bonnets used to be quite heavy and just latch in the middle. Now they have to latch in the corners otherwise the airflow would lift them up.

teaston · 09-21-2017, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abzynthe

I have the same problem. Mine is nothing to do with the catches though as I have tried several times. I've also tried pushing the bumper closer to the bonnet and tightening the screws, but to no avail.
I'm not confident enough to fiddle with the hinges.

Are you sure it’s not the alignment of the top part of the bumper? BMW got mine wrong when they replaced it.

09-20-2017, 02:50 AM	#1
SilverGrey Lieutenant 126 Rep 417 Posts Drives: BMW 330i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Chestefield, England iTrader: (0)	Bonnet alignment A colleague has just pointed out that it looks like the bonnet on my 4GC appears to be open on one side. I went and had a look and it appear to be misaligned slightly, and sitting slightly higher on the driver's side. I found a photo of the car when I took delivery (it was new) and all looked ok then. The car is only 4 months old and nothing has hit it. I did open the bonnet at the weekend when I washed the car, but I'm always careful when closing car bonnets, so didn't slam it. Seems a bit of a coincidence. Is this an easy thing to fix? Do I need to book it in at the dealer? My colleague suggested I just drop in and get them to have a look in the hope they might be able to adjust it there and then. TIA.
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09-20-2017, 02:58 AM	#2
robbiep Brigadier General 1983 Rep 3,216 Posts Drives: VW e-Golf ! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: North Wales, UK iTrader: (0)	Yes, they'll probably be able to adjust it. Try it yourself, and if you get it wrong you could actually cause damage.
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09-20-2017, 03:07 AM	#3
bunzo Enlisted Member 57 Rep 39 Posts Drives: 440i GC LCI Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (0)	My wife had exactly the same concern on her 4 series convertible (new in June this year) - bonnet was sitting slightly higher on the drivers side after opening/shutting for the first time - she took it to the dealer and they just shut it for her! It needed a little more force than you might think necessary. If it wasn't like that when you bought it, then hopefully that's all this is.
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09-20-2017, 03:19 AM	#4
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	Yes there's a catch on either side - one hasn't engaged. Give it an old-fashioned shut. Job done. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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09-20-2017, 03:27 AM	#6
Abzynthe Colonel 1388 Rep 2,127 Posts Drives: BMW 440i Gran Coupe LCI Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I have the same problem. Mine is nothing to do with the catches though as I have tried several times. I've also tried pushing the bumper closer to the bonnet and tightening the screws, but to no avail. I'm not confident enough to fiddle with the hinges.
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09-20-2017, 04:32 AM	#7
DarrenL_007 Lieutenant 209 Rep 542 Posts Drives: F36 430d xDrive M Sport GC Join Date: May 2015 Location: West Midlands iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 430d xDriv ... [0.00]	I've also had problems when closing my bonnet on my 4GC. On my E91 I would just drop the bonnet from about 30cm and it would close perfectly but on this one I have to give it a good slam. If I don't slam it shut them it's usually the offside of the bonnet that doesn't close properly. __________________ 440i GC M Sport : Arrived 25th May 2018 Mineral Grey / Ivory White Dakota Leather / Reversing Camera / Folding/Auto Dipping Mirrors / Park Assist / Sun Protection Glass / Electric Glass Sunroof / Heated Steering Wheel / Icon Adaptive LED Headlights / 19" 704M Alloys / Digital Cockpit / Head-up Display / Wifi Hotspot / Driving Assistant / Speed Limit Display / Harmon Kardon Loudspeakers / High-Beam Assist / Enhanced Bluetooth - Wireless Charging / Online Entertainment / M Sport Brakes / Comfort Access / Extended Storage
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09-20-2017, 05:34 AM	#8
SilverGrey Lieutenant 126 Rep 417 Posts Drives: BMW 330i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Chestefield, England iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. I was taught not to slam bonnets as that was a sure fire way of smashing glass headlights. I'll give it a firmer whack and hopefully save myself a trip to the dealers!
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09-20-2017, 07:50 AM	#9
f32-440i Enlisted Member 22 Rep 46 Posts Drives: F32 440i LCI Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Cambridge iTrader: (0)	Same here on my 4 series LCI, have to give it a bit of a slam for it to close properly
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09-20-2017, 08:12 AM	#10
Nobby Clark Lieutenant Colonel 759 Rep 1,863 Posts Drives: F36 430d xDrive M Sport Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	You can adjust the metal catches by giving them a half turn at a time. They should engage properly then and pull the bonnet into position.
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09-20-2017, 08:26 AM	#11
Jonesy72 Private First Class 72 Rep 146 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: The cold north iTrader: (0)	Same on my 4 GC. Passenger side didn't close properly. Just needed a shove.
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09-20-2017, 09:05 AM	#12
MrChumley Major 453 Rep 1,116 Posts Drives: F33 440i convertible Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: East Midlands iTrader: (0)	Same on my F33 - sometimes needs a gentle push with the heel of my hand. If it used to shut level you shouldn't need to adjust anything. I think the reason it's quite common is that bonnets are very light these days.
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09-20-2017, 10:04 AM	#13
Alkidrew Captain 61 Rep 949 Posts Drives: F31 325d M Sport GS Join Date: May 2013 Location: Surrey iTrader: (0)	worth checking the rubber seal under the front of the bonnet (on the engine bay) is pushed down properly. when i fitted my new black grills i removed the rubber seal to give access but failed to put the seal back down quite firmly enough so it kept the front lip of the bonnet up on one side. easy to fix if that was it.
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09-20-2017, 11:20 AM	#15
320dAsh Second Lieutenant 79 Rep 272 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport Touring Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: East Mids iTrader: (0)	I called out BMW Assist the day I picked my car up because of this. The BMW tech said they need a good slam due to having two catches and the bonnet being light. He also said don't push it down on one side as this could bend the bonnet.
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09-20-2017, 01:02 PM	#16
Malone Captain 290 Rep 702 Posts Drives: 340i Touring Shadow Ed. MPPSK Join Date: May 2017 Location: West Sussex iTrader: (0)	I found this the first time I tried to shut the bonnet (gently) on our F31. Found that letting it drop from about a foot will make it shut properly! __________________ Current: 340i Touring Shadow Edition MPPSK Previous (Noteworthy!): M135i, F20 125i, Smart Brabus ForFour, Mitsi Evo 4, Honda Integra Type R DC2
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09-20-2017, 01:21 PM	#17
HighlandPete Lieutenant General 6659 Rep 15,858 Posts Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region iTrader: (0)	What I don't follow from BMW instructions, why drop the bonnet from about 40cm if you still have to push it down to lock? At least on my car a gentle close works every time. The following instructions are for the F10/11, similar for the F3x models. Attached Images
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09-20-2017, 03:45 PM	#18
SilverGrey Lieutenant 126 Rep 417 Posts Drives: BMW 330i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Chestefield, England iTrader: (0)	A firm slam from about a foot or so did the trick! A definite relief! I’ve had several BMWs in the past but this was a new thing for me. At first I thought I had somehow broken something or that my car had somehow been damaged when parked up.
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09-20-2017, 04:12 PM	#19
MrChumley Major 453 Rep 1,116 Posts Drives: F33 440i convertible Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: East Midlands iTrader: (0)	I think again it comes down to the weight. Bonnets used to be quite heavy and just latch in the middle. Now they have to latch in the corners otherwise the airflow would lift them up.
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