Where do I stand? Garage says I need a new bonnet!

[TeaVR]

Evening all. I'm having a bad day today

Took my car (BMW Z4 MK1 3.0) into a local garage for an MOT. Friday evening they called me and said it needed new pads (fine) but also that they could no longer shut the bonnet. They said that it would need a new latch. Not happy, but I said fine.

Today they ring me up and say that it's not the latch, but instead a part inside the bonnet (between the outer skin and the inner skin) that has broken off. This part is not replacable and according to BMW the car will need a new bonnet - £1000+. Appologies at this point as I know little more than this.

Now, talking to friends they've suggested that it may well have been the garage that have forced the bonnet and caused the problem. Question for those of you in the BMW know - is this likely?

Also, where do I stand legally? Am I within my rights to query if they have broken it? If they simple say "NO", what can I do?

Help please

[Jimmyarm]

When was the last time you opened the bonnet ?

[TeaVR]

Jimmyarm said:

When was the last time you opened the bonnet ?

Couple of weeks ago to fill up the squirties

[CraigyMc]

TeaVR said:

Jimmyarm said:

When was the last time you opened the bonnet ?

Couple of weeks ago to fill up the squirties

Garage's fault. They pay.

[Globs]

I would go along and inspect the bonnet first.

I suspect a captive nut has become less captive, not a cause for a new bonnet IMO. This thread does remind me why I do my own servicing however!

[C. Grimsley]

I had this issue but the other way around, I run a garage and had a car in for an mot (golf mk4), I carried out the test and at the end couldn't get the bonnet to latch, in the end it was due to a seized catch and a replacement was the only cure.

The customer got a bit annoyed and tried to blame it on me, when the catch was removed it was seized solid and was obviously like this for some time. He paid for the catch and as a gesture I fitted for free.

Hard to point the blame I feel, most garages know how to open and close a bonnet, it's just an unfortunate thing that is sent to try us.

Carl

[TeaVR]

Globs said:

I would go along and inspect the bonnet first.

I suspect a captive nut has become less captive, not a cause for a new bonnet IMO. This thread does remind me why I do my own servicing however!

I think "Captive nut" was mentioned in the telephone conversation come to think of it. 7

I'm frustrated by this as I simply don't understand. I guess an inspection is in order - if only I knew what I was bloody looking for!

[redstu]

I would have thought that it's difficult to break a catch unless the bonnet is slamed shut or if the catch is a weak point.
Check on a z4 forum , maybe this is a known problem.

[Globs]

TeaVR said:

Globs said:

I would go along and inspect the bonnet first.

I suspect a captive nut has become less captive, not a cause for a new bonnet IMO. This thread does remind me why I do my own servicing however!

I think "Captive nut" was mentioned in the telephone conversation come to think of it. 7

I'm frustrated by this as I simply don't understand. I guess an inspection is in order - if only I knew what I was bloody looking for!

Get them to explain, and look at these pictures.

http://www.google.co.uk/images?q=captive+nut+bonne...

I'm sure that if it is a captive nut issue there is a smarter way to fix it that replacing the whole bonnet!!

[redstu]

^^^ nooooo that would be a repair! Main dealers only do replacements, that's far better for their profits!

[Globs]

redstu said:

^^^ nooooo that would be a repair! Main dealers only do replacements, that's far better for their profits!

Might as well get them to change the whole car

[grgrgray]

TeaVR said:

Globs said:

I would go along and inspect the bonnet first.

I suspect a captive nut has become less captive, not a cause for a new bonnet IMO. This thread does remind me why I do my own servicing however!

I think "Captive nut" was mentioned in the telephone conversation come to think of it. 7

I'm frustrated by this as I simply don't understand. I guess an inspection is in order - if only I knew what I was bloody looking for!

'Captive nut' was there description of you mate, they are mugging you off.

[AMST09]

Take it somewhere else to get another opinion

[TeaVR]

AMST09 said:

Take it somewhere else to get another opinion

That way well be a good call.

[Eggman]

If it were me, I would consider drilling the hole out a bit and installing something along the lines of a rivet nut, which should cost rather less than a grand.



If you're really fussy, you might want to squirt a bit of mastik in the hole first to prevent the loose nut from rattling about. (If you're really lucky you might be able to fish it out of the hole you've drilled!)

[marcosgt]

It does sound like a main dealer's standard response to most faults - Simply replace the part the factory says to.

An independent view is probably a good idea, but drive slowly if the bonnet's not latched!

M.

[TeaVR]

Thanks for all your replies so far guys.

Just spoken to the garage.

They say that the striker is attached to the bonnet via a captive fixing that is pressed and bonded into the bonnet. It's the fixing that has apparently come away (hence why BMW are saying it's a new bonnet job). I've asked for some pictures to be sent to me.

They've also assured that they did not slam the bonnet.

[white90]

[quote=
They've also assured that they did not slam the bonnet.
[/quote]
Of course they didn't

Go and get your car from them they appear incompetent
a Rivnut will do the job just fine
if you are unsure where to get them etc
I'll send you some.

[jdw1234]

Split pins like a touring car or maybe a leather strap like an old Bentley??

[TeaVR]

Or maybe weld the ****ing shut and trade it in.

So ****** off - hardly ever drive the car, was going to sell it privately in the Spring