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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

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Babw
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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by Babw » Sat Apr 10, 2021 6:57 pm

Strange question considering I've owned the car for 7 years but it's been in the garage for best part of a year and just before it was put into storage I had a front end respray with ceramic coating.

I'm wondering whether the bonnet was removed as well as the bumper which needs a bit of realignment. I also had the bumper off some new headlight parts.

From what I understand the headlight position can be tweaked but can the bumper too?
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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by SiJar » Sat Apr 10, 2021 7:28 pm

It looks pretty normal to me. I must say that the Z4 panel gaps are not the best I’ve seen and probably the worst of any BMW in my mind, however I still love the cars.
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Mr Tidy
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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by Mr Tidy » Sat Apr 10, 2021 7:52 pm

That didn't look excessive to me either.

But now I think mine might be. :roll:

I just went out and measured the gap and it's between 7 & 8mm all the way across.
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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by Cribert » Sat Apr 10, 2021 8:17 pm

Yeah the front bumpers on them doesn’t sit well at all. I think it’s due to the length of the bonnet. Noticed it on a few

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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by 1536Z4 » Sat Apr 10, 2021 8:28 pm

Yes I thought the same with mine and checked to see if anything was loose but then noticed on other photos that it seems to be how they are . Definitely not my favorite looking part of the car .
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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by 2k35is » Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:28 am

Mines just over 4mm ( measured with a shank of a drill)and by same method a 4.5mm drill wont fit in anywhere along the opening, pretty good in my opinion but its not so good on the shutline behind the nearside wheel-offside looks ok.
However if I was lookin at original posters car it would be the finish that I would notice. What wax/polish have you used looks superb
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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by PDJ » Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:39 am

To see if you can improve it just open the bonnet and there are around 7 screws, loosen these a little and see if the bonnet will push back a bit tighten screws and check with the bonnet closed

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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by PDJ » Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:43 am

3084F515-C8CC-4A3E-8838-8E6CDF3542D4.jpeg
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1536Z4
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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by 1536Z4 » Sun Apr 11, 2021 11:10 am

PDJ wrote: Sun Apr 11, 2021 8:39 am To see if you can improve it just open the bonnet and there are around 7 screws, loosen these a little and see if the bonnet will push back a bit tighten screws and check with the bonnet closed
Hi PDJ and thanks for the advice . I have just done this and there was some movement backwards but there is still a 8 mm gap across most of the front the same as Mr Tidy . The bonnet seems to line up properly elsewhere so don`t think it is a problem there . Have got to take front off later in the year so will see if anything changes when I refit it . It is one of those things that once you notice it you cant stop noticing it :x
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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by Babw » Sun Apr 11, 2021 2:15 pm

Mine seems to be an even 6mm all around.

I've ordered some new arch liner clips so will give it a go at adjusting and making the headlights gaps nice and even the next bank holiday weekend.

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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by Beedub » Sun Apr 11, 2021 3:44 pm

Mine has a cave like gap. 🤣🤣🤣
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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by Babw » Sun Apr 11, 2021 4:03 pm

As normal I had to take it a step further and order the clips that attach to the wings and the bumper clips into.

Anyone have an easy way to remove the old ones? I don't fancy using a dremel, tin snips etc.
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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by XMetal » Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:15 pm

Babw wrote: Sun Apr 11, 2021 4:03 pm As normal I had to take it a step further and order the clips that attach to the wings and the bumper clips into.

Anyone have an easy way to remove the old ones? I don't fancy using a dremel, tin snips etc.
Unfortunately, I have to resort to all types of tools to take these suckers out. Ended up coming out in pieces :cry:

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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by 1536Z4 » Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:26 pm

Beedub wrote: Sun Apr 11, 2021 3:44 pm Mine has a cave like gap.
and for good reason :thumbsup:
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Is this a normal bumper to bonnet gap?

Post by mr wilks » Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:56 pm

Discussed so many times at drives / meets . You can have a car park full of E85 E86 , many have had bumpers off for various reasons , many haven't , the gap lines vary wildly not just bonnet to bumper , bonnet to wing can also be totally different between 2 cars that are totally original .
As "Sijar" points out :cry: panel fit on E85 E86 isn't that great :( muck improved on the E89s
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