Gap between hood & front grilles/bumper

[911r]

Tried searching but couldn't find anything,

I noticed an extremely large gap between my hood, and front grilles/bumper. Almost looks like the hood is open (when it isn't). The grilles are OE (LCI), so it shouldn't be an issue with fitment. Can this gap be adjusted?

Having my bumper repainted early next month, but hoping to get this gap adjusted before hand. Really annoying.

[jp1984]

This is normal and one of the M3s bavarian quirks.

Maybe they can get it tighter when you respray?

[911r]

Originally Posted by jp1984

This is normal and one of the M3s bavarian quirks.

Maybe they can get it tighter when you respray?

Yeah I have noticed it on previous E90s, this gap is just a tad more pronounced.

Going to have them try 🤞

[DRLane]

Looks like the bumper could be pulled in (check on the headlight alignment).

Also, likely can lower the rubber bump rests for the hood.

[rjsiciliano]

Mine does this as well, I learned to just live with it

[tbuck]

Several points of adjustment to get rid of some of that. But yes, the gap is a little larger than you would expect or want.

[jd501]

So what everyone is saying is that the bumper can be adjusted up (and out), and the hood can be adjusted down. Generally it's more the bumper than the hood.

Shop will take it off to respray anyway, may want to let them know to fix the gap when they put it back on.

[neilum]

I noticed this on my E92 but not on my old E90, or my friend's E90 M's...

Maybe its an E92 thing?

[Redd]

My E92 has the same problem. Looking at my car pics history, bumper fitment was perfect after my front end accident repair 6 years ago. But over time it seems to have sagged, and now I have the exact same gap between the bumper and the hood. Will probably try to get the bumper adjusted at some point.

[911r]

Originally Posted by neilum

I noticed this on my E92 but not on my old E90, and my friend's E90 M the bumper and the hood have no gap

Maybe its an E92 thing?

I have an E90, might just be a thing that happens with age?

[jd501]

I always though it was the whims of the body panel gods / whoever was doing install and QC at the BMW factory that day.

Or, to your point, maybe loosing a clip over time.

My E92 is pretty good, could be better.

[neilum]

Originally Posted by 911r

I have an E90, might just be a thing that happens with age?

Interesting! Now I am super confused because I never saw that on an e90 haha

[911r]

Originally Posted by jd501

I always though it was the whims of the body panel gods / whoever was doing install and QC at the BMW factory that day.

Or, to your point, maybe loosing a clip over time.

My E92 is pretty good, could be better.

Jealous!

[darren p.]

Originally Posted by 911r

I have an E90, might just be a thing that happens with age?

I'm neilum's friend, both my E90s are 08s so that puts a hole in your "with age" hypothesis.

I agree with the above comment about poor QC that day on the line...

[AndyBrad]

mines the same. It looks a lot worse on a white car.

the bonnet stops risk adjusting the bonnet below the wing. You can loosen the torx screws under the lip and move it in and out but youll have to spacer it up on refitting.
Its very annoying to me,

[MarkDoronin]

yes, perhaps it is worth adjusting before learning to live with it

[Merlin_83]

You can adjust the gap - here's an image right out of the OEM factory guidelines:

[pedro2u]

Originally Posted by AndyBrad

mines the same. It looks a lot worse on a white car.

the bonnet stops risk adjusting the bonnet below the wing. You can loosen the torx screws under the lip and move it in and out but youll have to spacer it up on refitting.
Its very annoying to me,

+1 on worse in white. My '11 black e93 gap isn't as large as yours, but I also think the darker color cars don't draw your eye to the gap as much as white does.....

However, my black '08 335xi e92 gap is much closer than my M3

[neilum]

Does anyone know how to adjust the gap?

I get the bumper can be adjusted up and down, but how do you adjust the hood? My bumper looks perfect otherwise and I can't see where it can be adjusted at all.

[AndyBrad]

Originally Posted by Merlin_83

You can adjust the gap - here's an image right out of the OEM factory guidelines:

that shows what the gaps should be but how would you go about adjusting them?

[Merlin_83]

There are concentric screws above the bumper which the mechanic can turn to tighten or loosen the gap. I know because I had both headlights housings, the ballasts, etc. replaced (under warranty) 4 years ago and I asked how they made sure to get the fit right.

Take to BMW factory-trained mechanic, they'll know exactly what to do - and, and, check with an OEM thickness gauge to ensure the fitment is correct -

Cheers,
Merlin

[DRLane]

They're not concentric, but simple torx bit screws. 4 up top, and 2 each side under the liners connecting the bumper to the fender. Plus however many on the bottom of the bumper connecting the under belly tray (depending on which tray you have oem vs after market).

Loosen them up and adjust the bumper accordingly. It's not difficult just takes patience.

The hood has two rubber bumpers near the top of the headlight housing that can raise or lower the gap.

Most difficult is adjusting the hood hinges, to move the whole hood forward/back, or up/down.