Ok Ive never thought about this before but recently after a trip to the dealer I noticed that the hood was about an inch off from the top of the front bumper evenly all the way around. When I opened the hood to check my oil and then closed it, I noticed that the hood was now way less than an inch off the bumper (left side a bit lower than the right....I usually pull the hood down with a firm pull). Therefore I read the owners manual where it says to drop the hood approx a foot high off the bumper so I did and now the bumper sits as it looked when I picked it up from the dealer except that when I put my hand under the front lip of the hood and use a little bit of force and lift up, the hood unlatches from its secured point...meaning that the hood isnt completely open but its not snug securely (there is some play up and down) on the latch. Is there something wrong with the latch or is the hood suppose to be in that "light snug" mode right after I dropped it from a foot high and before I pulled up on the hood a bit? Hope Im making sense here.

 

I usually drop it from a foot or so, and then give it a good push on the MINI logo to make sure it's latched.

 

I drop the hood to about waist high and then use two hands (one on each stripe) to push it on down. The reason I use both hands is because my 06 MINI has a hood latch on each side of the bumper. If I just drop the hood, or only push down in the center, the left side latch usually will not latch.

 

I bring it down to about 6 inches from the latch and then push on the Mini Logo nice and hard. You have to push from the center or apply equal pressure like wscruiser on the stripes, otherwise it comes down uneven. On the 07 and up the space around the headlights is pretty close, they might get scratched or catch on the hood if it comes down crooked.

 

It's a bonnet not a hood

Mark

 

I hear ya with the pushing down on the mini logo and thats what I used to do but when I do that I notice that the bonnet is way lower than where the Mini service guys put the bonnet each time I take it in for service (also noticed that the bonnet isnt that low on other Mini's) Also now I noticed that the bonnet doesnt go down evenly on each side even with a firm push on the bonnet...the passenger side is always higher than the driver side.

 

I usually drop the bonnet from about 2 feet... no problems... always closes OK.

 

Not in this country

 

I set it down all the way, then push on the headlights. Both latches grab then and no worries. I'm just a little paranoid about those bling-bling Xenons getting knocked around.

 

I am paranoid about dropping my bonnet as well. I just set it down and give a gentle push right above the light rings. Personally I just dont like the sound of a dropping bonnet...

 

Indeed!

 

I slam on the brakes.

 

I close it by hand I just drop it from about a foot up.

and off I go.............

 

Update: latch was improperly aligned...fixed under warranty by Mini. Now the hood closes properly shut from a foot drop.

 

same.

 

MINI is a mindset that transcends borders. A Hood is where folks live, anyway!

 

I usually lower the bonnet gently to about 6 inches and then press firmly on either side of the scoop simultaneously and it always latches/closes completely.

Be careful about "dropping" the bonnet from any large distance, or slamming it closed as you risk knocking the headlamps out of adjustment.

 

This is what I do too.