bent my bonnet (2018 1 series)
Discussion
Hi there, first time post from me. Hopefully i can call upon your experience and expertise.
Yesterday i decided to familiarise myself with what's under the bonnet of my new 2018 1 series. What could possibly go wrong ?
Well, basically the bonnet wouldn't latch shut all the way with a drop from height and even a slight helping hand. I suspected a slight misalignment or something needing an adjustment but decided to try and push down around the latch areas. Big mistake. I've noticed that there's a bend at the driver's side front lip of the bonnet. I'm absolutely gutted. Self inflicted but I had no idea these bonnets are now made from aluminium and so fragile. A hard push down is required to latch the bonnet down all the way. Not what I've been used to, but then I had my previous car for 12 years.
Has anyone experienced this type of bend on their bonnet and had any success in having it repaired ? I'm pretty annoyed that it wouldn't shut without that level of force but I'm not going to waste my time going to the dealership. It's my own fault for pushing on it I suppose. It's not the sharpest bend (my wife thinks I'm a nutter and seeing things) but It was self inflicted and i can't un-see it now...if you know what I mean. Any advice would be much appreciated. Cheers.
Yesterday i decided to familiarise myself with what's under the bonnet of my new 2018 1 series. What could possibly go wrong ?
Well, basically the bonnet wouldn't latch shut all the way with a drop from height and even a slight helping hand. I suspected a slight misalignment or something needing an adjustment but decided to try and push down around the latch areas. Big mistake. I've noticed that there's a bend at the driver's side front lip of the bonnet. I'm absolutely gutted. Self inflicted but I had no idea these bonnets are now made from aluminium and so fragile. A hard push down is required to latch the bonnet down all the way. Not what I've been used to, but then I had my previous car for 12 years.
Has anyone experienced this type of bend on their bonnet and had any success in having it repaired ? I'm pretty annoyed that it wouldn't shut without that level of force but I'm not going to waste my time going to the dealership. It's my own fault for pushing on it I suppose. It's not the sharpest bend (my wife thinks I'm a nutter and seeing things) but It was self inflicted and i can't un-see it now...if you know what I mean. Any advice would be much appreciated. Cheers.
Edited by trueblue77 on Friday 7th June 11:19
Not that it'll make you feel any better, but you're not the only one. Someone on BabyBmw dented his even before he had driven off the forecourt... https://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=63&a...
BFleming said:
Not that it'll make you feel any better, but you're not the only one. Someone on BabyBmw dented his even before he had driven off the forecourt... https://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=63&a...
Thanks for posting the link. I'm seeing more and more examples of people caught out by the exact same problem. I'm kicking myself that I didn't try being a bit more forceful the first time I shut it. Ironically, that's because I was being cautious and wanted to follow the BMW method. I've now been rewarded with a bent bonnet. I've contacted Dent Devils in the hope that they can do something with it but I have my doubts. Must be a really tricky area to work on. Failing that I might give the dealership a shout and see what they have to say. Cheers.
Well I wasn't expecting to come back on here today with good news but after a long afternoon at the dealership, and a bit of a fight, I have a perfect bonnet again and free of charge. Just posting this for anyone in the future that has a similar experience as me.
I was initially told that it would be very difficult to fix and that the warranty wouldn't cover it as I had caused the damage. "Try Dent devils" they told me. Well I dug my heels in and refused to accept responsibility. BMW's suggested method of closing the bonnet doesn't work in my case and putting hands on it to push closed had also failed and led to the damage. If slamming shut the bonnet is a requirement then it should be in the handbook in black and white. I told them how many examples I had found online of similar stories. I insisted on seeing the manager face to face and after a long wait the guy that was dealing with me said he'd spoken with him and told me they'd honour it on the warranty and someone was on their way to fix it. One hour later and it's brand new again. Result.
I was initially told that it would be very difficult to fix and that the warranty wouldn't cover it as I had caused the damage. "Try Dent devils" they told me. Well I dug my heels in and refused to accept responsibility. BMW's suggested method of closing the bonnet doesn't work in my case and putting hands on it to push closed had also failed and led to the damage. If slamming shut the bonnet is a requirement then it should be in the handbook in black and white. I told them how many examples I had found online of similar stories. I insisted on seeing the manager face to face and after a long wait the guy that was dealing with me said he'd spoken with him and told me they'd honour it on the warranty and someone was on their way to fix it. One hour later and it's brand new again. Result.
Fair play to the dealer!
I did the same to my wife's Astra not long after she got it. The handbook says to drop the bonnet down and not press it down. I pressed it down as I obviously wouldnt read a handbook. Net result a noticeable dent. I blamed the cat and said it must have jumped off the fence onto the bonnet. She believed it. Result!
I did the same to my wife's Astra not long after she got it. The handbook says to drop the bonnet down and not press it down. I pressed it down as I obviously wouldnt read a handbook. Net result a noticeable dent. I blamed the cat and said it must have jumped off the fence onto the bonnet. She believed it. Result!
bmwmike said:
Fair play to the dealer!
I did the same to my wife's Astra not long after she got it. The handbook says to drop the bonnet down and not press it down. I pressed it down as I obviously wouldnt read a handbook. Net result a noticeable dent. I blamed the cat and said it must have jumped off the fence onto the bonnet. She believed it. Result!
They weren't happy to help at all really. I had to fight for it. Got there in the end though. I wish my wife was like yours. Mine could be a detective if she wanted . Misses nothing !I did the same to my wife's Astra not long after she got it. The handbook says to drop the bonnet down and not press it down. I pressed it down as I obviously wouldnt read a handbook. Net result a noticeable dent. I blamed the cat and said it must have jumped off the fence onto the bonnet. She believed it. Result!
I’ve had problems with BMW bonnets latching on a few different models, E91 330d, F30 320d, F32 420d and finally an F30 330e. All of them had bonnets that would repeatedly not latch on both sides. WD40 solves the problem for a good while, but there seems to be a weakness in the design.
I was fortunate not to damage a bonnet but I’d say never push down on one as they are really thin these days. But it’s a pain to reopen and drop it again.
I was fortunate not to damage a bonnet but I’d say never push down on one as they are really thin these days. But it’s a pain to reopen and drop it again.
GTEYE said:
I’ve had problems with BMW bonnets latching on a few different models, E91 330d, F30 320d, F32 420d and finally an F30 330e. All of them had bonnets that would repeatedly not latch on both sides. WD40 solves the problem for a good while, but there seems to be a weakness in the design.
I was fortunate not to damage a bonnet but I’d say never push down on one as they are really thin these days. But it’s a pain to reopen and drop it again.
I've never had to use as much force to close a bonnet. In saying that, like you say, the material is so light these days that it probably needs a good push. I had my previous car for 12 years so heavier bonnet and one single latch. I was fortunate not to damage a bonnet but I’d say never push down on one as they are really thin these days. But it’s a pain to reopen and drop it again.
I'm scared to open it now !
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