For a little while there, my hood was stuck shut. I had my hood release cable pop out of it's metal retaining bracket, the bracket is located just behind the hood release pull lever. Basicly the bracket was bending ever so slightly every time I would open the hood eventually allowing the cable to pop out. I had the dealer fix it, but thought I would mention this in case anyone else has the issue come up. My hood had always been rather stiff to open, so it was no surprise to me that it did what it did. As far as I know all the dealship did was bend the bracket back into the correct position. I lubed the 2 hinges under the hood with tri-flow and now it opens much easier.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=Hood+Release
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=Hood+Release
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=Hood+Release
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=Hood+Release

 

korby is a bonnet latch authority (speaks from experience...)

Actually, I'm surprised there's not an R56 TSB on this yet. Maybe there is.

 

Lube It Or Lose It !

 

The exact same thing happened to me when opening the hood at the dealership while I was taking delivery of my MINI this weekend!

They took the car in the back to fix it, and it appears to work fine. Only now, the bonnet is rubbing against the headlamp when opening and closing, and it has already worn a groove in the lens!

I'm going to bring the car back next weekend to have them fix the problem and replace the headlamp. Either the hood is misaligned, or the headlamp was improperly installed at the plant Oxford. I trust this will be covered under my warranty.

The photos below show the damage, minute as it may be, this should not happen to a brand-new car!

 

Okay, my 08' Clubman S has a stuck hood release cable. It is stuck under the hood. What is involved in trying to get the hood open? Remove the bumber?