M3 bonnet catch problem

Tally Ho · 04-20-2012, 01:53 PM

Hi everyone. Brand new M3 delivered yesterday and near side bonnet catch isn't "catching" - leaving bonnet proud of wing on nearside. Very disappointing build quality - my first BMW too. Any suggestions before I have to book it back in under warranty - grrr! Thank you in advance.

THE TECH · 04-20-2012, 02:03 PM

Should be a simple fix no matter if I understood what you said or not.

Tally Ho · 04-20-2012, 02:06 PM

Sure, just wondered if anyone had a simple DIY for it

SenorFunkyPants · 04-20-2012, 02:12 PM

Drop the bonnet from about a foot and it should close fine. If not then it might need a small adjustment at the dealers. Resist the urge to push the bonnet down hard by hand as its aluminium and dents very easily.

Tally Ho · 04-20-2012, 02:19 PM

Tried that - no good. Back to the dealer it is then. Thank you. I appreciate your help nonetheless.

crabman · 04-20-2012, 02:42 PM

Mine does not catch if you drop it from a foot on the starboard side. If you give it just a wee bit of oomph it does close. Was going to watch it a little and see if it starts closing easier as things loosen up.

Tally Ho · 04-20-2012, 02:48 PM

Yup, any more oomph and I will put a big dink in it - thanks for your input anyway - the majority of replies have been helpful (!)

mlhj83 · 04-20-2012, 03:14 PM

It's a common problem. Try adjust rubber stoppers (circled yellow) by turning them clockwise or anticlockwise to lower and raise them respectively.

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calintexas · 04-20-2012, 03:16 PM

It's a fairly common complaint. Look at post #4 in the linked thread. Where he says "hinge" substitute "bonnet catch pin". It's a matter of technique and possibly adjustment of the stop. There's quite bit of info in the thread.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ood+misaligned

Tally Ho · 04-20-2012, 03:21 PM

Superb - thank you very much. That sounds like a fix.

Rshane · 04-22-2012, 01:58 AM

I guess I was lucky, my bonnet has never been proud of wing.

04-20-2012, 01:53 PM	#1
Tally Ho New Member 3 Rep 19 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Essex iTrader: (0)	M3 bonnet catch problem Hi everyone. Brand new M3 delivered yesterday and near side bonnet catch isn't "catching" - leaving bonnet proud of wing on nearside. Very disappointing build quality - my first BMW too. Any suggestions before I have to book it back in under warranty - grrr! Thank you in advance.
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04-20-2012, 02:03 PM	#2
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	Should be a simple fix no matter if I understood what you said or not.
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04-20-2012, 02:06 PM	#3
Tally Ho New Member 3 Rep 19 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Essex iTrader: (0)	Sure, just wondered if anyone had a simple DIY for it
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04-20-2012, 02:19 PM	#5
Tally Ho New Member 3 Rep 19 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Essex iTrader: (0)	Tried that - no good. Back to the dealer it is then. Thank you. I appreciate your help nonetheless.
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04-20-2012, 02:42 PM	#6
crabman Captain 258 Rep 945 Posts Drives: 2024 X5M Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Mine does not catch if you drop it from a foot on the starboard side. If you give it just a wee bit of oomph it does close. Was going to watch it a little and see if it starts closing easier as things loosen up.
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04-20-2012, 02:12 PM	#4
SenorFunkyPants Brigadier General 2511 Rep 4,381 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Drop the bonnet from about a foot and it should close fine. If not then it might need a small adjustment at the dealers. Resist the urge to push the bonnet down hard by hand as its aluminium and dents very easily.
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04-20-2012, 02:48 PM	#7
Tally Ho New Member 3 Rep 19 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Essex iTrader: (0)	Yup, any more oomph and I will put a big dink in it - thanks for your input anyway - the majority of replies have been helpful (!)
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04-20-2012, 03:14 PM	#8
mlhj83 Scythe-Meister 90 Rep 1,053 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 ZCP \| F80 M3 CS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: London iTrader: (0)	It's a common problem. Try adjust rubber stoppers (circled yellow) by turning them clockwise or anticlockwise to lower and raise them respectively.
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04-20-2012, 03:16 PM	#9
calintexas Lieutenant Colonel 151 Rep 1,599 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: North Texas iTrader: (1)	It's a fairly common complaint. Look at post #4 in the linked thread. Where he says "hinge" substitute "bonnet catch pin". It's a matter of technique and possibly adjustment of the stop. There's quite bit of info in the thread. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ood+misaligned __________________
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04-20-2012, 03:21 PM	#10
Tally Ho New Member 3 Rep 19 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Essex iTrader: (0)	Superb - thank you very much. That sounds like a fix.
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04-22-2012, 01:58 AM	#11
Rshane M-Flight Member 38 Rep 1,085 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas iTrader: (0)	I guess I was lucky, my bonnet has never been proud of wing. __________________ 2011 Le Mans Blue M3// Black extended Novillo w/ Blue Grey Aluminum trim/DCT/ZTP/ZCW/ZPP/ZCP Premium Sound ///Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust 2015 Audi S4 Prestige, Brilliant Black S-tronic 2012 Le Mans Blue 135i M Pkg DCT
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