Hey all,

After picking up my Cooper a few weeks back, I noticed that the gap between the lower edge of the bonnet and the front bumper is quite a bit bigger than I would expect for a new car. I also found that my left door was misaligned, as the rear edge didn't even come close to lining up with the rear quarter panel.

I've since gotten the door-fit problem fixed, but after fitting an MCS bumper and grill this weekend, the nagging gap between the bonnet and bumper seems to be worse! Actually, it looks just as bad as the alignment of the hood of my old classic Mini.

Am I imagining things? Is anyone else's Mini like this? Did I get a Friday car?

I see that the bonnet latches are hight-adjustable, but I don't want to mess with them unless there actually is a problem.

Thanks!
Felix

Before:



After:



Family resemblance?

 

I think its normal. I also think I notice the gap to be more noticable in the 05s since the front was changed a bit on the MC.

 

it's not normal....mine had the same problem and it was adjusted at the dealer.

 

True.

Have the dealer adjust.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

I guess I'll have to make another trip to the dealership to have them adjust that gap.

-Two dealer visits in less than a month of Mini ownership. I hope that's not a sign of things to come!

Felix

 

The fit on my 03


Seems the gap on yours could stand to be smaller,go to your dealer.

 

The hood alignment is off on many MINIs. Walk around at your next meet and you will see. I had a similar issue and brought mine to the dealer, who explained it is common but would see what they could do. When I got it back it was much improved, but I found out they had tried to bend the hood in a little bit...a few weeks later I got a mysterious outward dent in the fender of the hood. Turns out by bending it a rivet popped and caused it. So make sure they adjust things, not bend things. Even doing so it will never be perfect.

In your case, think oppositely: the bumper is too low. The bumper is easily height adjustable via screws accessible inside the wheel wells. I would try that first. Loosen the screw, lift up on bumper, tighten, repeat for other side.

 

Thanks for all the responses!

jwardell:
I'm not sure it's a problem with the bumper being too low. I installed it myself, and am fairly familiar with how it mounts to the car. Due to the plastic tabs that clip into the front bumper beam, it isn't physcially possible to adjust the bumper so that it's any higher than it is now. It's probably a hood problem.
Thanks for the warning. I'll make sure the dealer properly adjusts the latches and doesn't just try bending the thing downward.

I'll bring the car over to the dealer this week and have them adjust the fit.

Thanks again!
Felix

 

My '05 is even tighter than the green picture. Perfect.

 

Thats British Racing Green

 

Cool...it was just an idea. But I'm not surprised from the response I got both from my dealer and body guy. The hoods just don't line up often.

Funny thing, my first hood which was "aligned" and had the rivet problem and lined up properly after that bending, was destroyed in an accident. The new hood had the exact misalignment that I originally had. This time I knew better and am fine with it over a dent in the fender!

 

Hi Mini_Flyer,

Any update on your hood? Was the dealer able to adjust it?

 

That looks too wide. Appears to be in unlatched position (though, I'm sure yours is). Look at mine...