Maintenance on cars like E34, XK etc

[Sump]

Isn't the boneet opening up the other way a complete pain? Having to replace belts or water pumps etc.

I can't see it being much fun having to work what I assume is side on?

[AmitG]

Question - why do some cars have the bonnet hinged near the front bumper rather than near the windscreen, i.e. what the OP calls the "other way"? Is there some advantage to this arrangement? I can see only downside (access to engine bay is possible from only 2 sides, rather than 3).

[Emeye]

My W202 Merc bonnet hinges at the windscreen, and then you can release a couple of clips and it will go completely vertical, which can be very useful for getting down the back of the engine.

[HustleRussell]

Love the wrong way bonnet on my E34, since the engine is longitudinal it makes for easy servicing. I have replaced the radiator, 'stat & housing, water pump etc without feeling obstructed by the bonnet, in fact with the radiator shroud and fan removed the room around the belts etc is more generous than most transverse engine cars where they're often under an engine mount and up against the inner wing.

The bonnet is vertical when opened so doesn't overhang anything, sure there is the occasional need to walk around from one side of the bay to the other but I haven't found it too bothersome.



View of front of engine with radiator shroud and fan removed



Final edit to say that the E34 is the nicest production car to work on that I have ever owned.

Edited by HustleRussell on Saturday 18th January 16:14

[Sump]

But when changing the waterpump, surely you have to lean in on a side to see the bolts or to analyse the situation on what needs removing etc. Or when lining up to put in the first bolt, I can't see it being a pleasant experience?

[jamieduff1981]

The bonnet opens the "wrong way" on the Cerb too. It's quite handy actually.

Most half-way decent RWD cars have the engines mounted quite far back in the engine bay. It's easier to get near the back of the engine without a bonnet sloping past your face. The bonnet being "in the way" at the front is a non-issue on the TVR as there's less there which may need attention. The Jags have bonnets which open the "normal way" and leaning over from the front isn't that helpful anyway as you have to lean so far.

The bonnet opening the normal way was a bit of a PITA on the MX-5 doing certain jobs to be honest.

If you have a really big job to do, it's typically pretty easy to remove the bonnet completely on most cars.

[HustleRussell]

Sump said:

But when changing the waterpump, surely you have to lean in on a side to see the bolts or to analyse the situation on what needs removing etc. Or when lining up to put in the first bolt, I can't see it being a pleasant experience?

As I said, easier than most FWD cars where the inner wing and engine mount get in the way. I'm not a particularly experienced mechanic but even I was able to get the water pump out without really having to think about it/crane my neck into the 'bay to see what I was doing.

[Leins]

N.B. Don't be silly and do this when car is outside. Gust of wind nearly decapitated me!

[dbdb]

I find my Jaguar with a front hinged bonnet easy to work on, with good access. This is probably because the engine is set quite far back.