Minging bonnet and alloys - advice please

[raymond.harper]

How easy is it for a very simple mechanical ability man such as myself to fit a new bonnet?

. get plenty of towels and a friend to help! https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=140927

 

[Ole gits rule]

Cheers, on both counts.
Looking forward to plenty of sun and booze

Snap just gotta wait till Nov - seems an age away

Where are you booked?
We are doing Sandals Halcyon. People say it's expensive but Vall dives and it's included so that is £2k+ clawed back.
Last year she went out as a volunteer for a month, teaching kids to swim as part of a sports charity. Met loads of great people so this time we will be spending time with the locals which gives you a much better appreciation of the place.

Sandals Grande St Lucian, first time as we normally due Maldives or Cape Town, something different this time as a honeymoon

 

[patriot66]

By the time you pay for the bonnet and the postage (£220) you might be better off getting the existing one painted. Or be patient and wait for the right second-hand one in the same colour to appear somewhere near you so you can drive over and swap.

Doubt he'll get a decent one like that cheaper down in London (his location) or a decent cheap bonnet respray either down that neck of the woods. If I was the OP I'd make the BMW breakers in Stourbridge an offer for a bit less and tell them he'll drive up with a mate to swap bonnets there and they can keep the old one ! Worth a shot

 

[bigwinn]

By the time you pay for the bonnet and the postage (£220) you might be better off getting the existing one painted. Or be patient and wait for the right second-hand one in the same colour to appear somewhere near you so you can drive over and swap.

Doubt he'll get a decent one like that cheaper down in London (his location) or a decent cheap bonnet respray either down that neck of the woods. If I was the OP I'd make the BMW breakers in Stourbridge an offer for a bit less and tell them he'll drive up with a mate to swap bonnets there and they can keep the old one ! Worth a shot

If it’s the guy I know in Stourbridge he will cut a deal- Andy is a good guy

 

[GengisKaan]

By the time you pay for the bonnet and the postage (£220) you might be better off getting the existing one painted. Or be patient and wait for the right second-hand one in the same colour to appear somewhere near you so you can drive over and swap.

Doubt he'll get a decent one like that cheaper down in London (his location) or a decent cheap bonnet respray either down that neck of the woods. If I was the OP I'd make the BMW breakers in Stourbridge an offer for a bit less and tell them he'll drive up with a mate to swap bonnets there and they can keep the old one ! Worth a shot

If it’s the guy I know in Stourbridge he will cut a deal- Andy is a good guy

Sounds promising! Do you have a number by chance?

 

[bigwinn]

I’ll pm you (if I’ve still got it)

Also if you need a boot lid in Titan I’ve got one

 

[GengisKaan]

Thanks for all the responses and kind offers.

I bit the bullet and ordered one for £200 off ebay, but it is in "very good" condition, and looks blemish free actually. Also saves me the logistical headache of trying to drive somewhere, fit a new one, and somehow dispose of my current one.

Anyway, I have been looking through the older threads relating to bonnets and other google searches, but can't find anything at all that is of much use.

Is it really just two bolts and the washer hoses that hold the bonnet in place? What about the hydraulic lift element? In short, I am scared to mess it all up! :roll:

Whilst we are on the same topic, does anyone have any advice for what I should do with the alloys? Will it be better to just buy used ones?

Thanks as always

 

[kis]

Whilst we are on the same topic, does anyone have any advice for what I should do with the alloys? Will it be better to just buy used ones?

Glad you got one sorted.

Re the alloys, [ref]Chris_D[/ref] sprayed his in plasti-dip. Worth considering it if you've got good rubber and want to stay with 18's.

 

[Pondy]

Whilst we are on the same topic, does anyone have any advice for what I should do with the alloys? Will it be better to just buy used ones?

There are a few topics in the wheel section of people refurbing wheels themselves. I have done it and the results are really good, but mine aren't split rims which may be a bit trickier.
A bit of time, a lot of patience, a few quid in rattle cans and some good quality masking tape will get them looking much better, though if you want to have a go!

Used wheels on eBay, etc tend to generally not be....umm...in the best condition. Beware.

 

[bigwinn]

Thanks for all the responses and kind offers.

I bit the bullet and ordered one for £200 off ebay, but it is in "very good" condition, and looks blemish free actually. Also saves me the logistical headache of trying to drive somewhere, fit a new one, and somehow dispose of my current one.

Anyway, I have been looking through the older threads relating to bonnets and other google searches, but can't find anything at all that is of much use.

Is it really just two bolts and the washer hoses that hold the bonnet in place? What about the hydraulic lift element? In short, I am scared to mess it all up! :roll:

Whilst we are on the same topic, does anyone have any advice for what I should do with the alloys? Will it be better to just buy used ones?

Thanks as always

Very easy to do- just take your time and get a mate to help- the bonnet isn't heavy just awkward

the hydraulics pop off with a screwdriver but don't do that first
undo the 13mm bolts either side that secure the bonnet and loosen the 13mms that locate them- so 4 in total 2 each side
undo the 10mm safety strap
pop the rams off
pull the bonnet toward you

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks for all the responses and kind offers.

I bit the bullet and ordered one for £200 off ebay, but it is in "very good" condition, and looks blemish free actually. Also saves me the logistical headache of trying to drive somewhere, fit a new one, and somehow dispose of my current one.

Anyway, I have been looking through the older threads relating to bonnets and other google searches, but can't find anything at all that is of much use.

Is it really just two bolts and the washer hoses that hold the bonnet in place? What about the hydraulic lift element? In short, I am scared to mess it all up! :roll:

Whilst we are on the same topic, does anyone have any advice for what I should do with the alloys? Will it be better to just buy used ones?

Thanks as always

Very easy to do- just take your time and get a mate to help- the bonnet isn't heavy just awkward

the hydraulics pop off with a screwdriver but don't do that first
undo the 13mm bolts either side that secure the bonnet and loosen the 13mms that locate them- so 4 in total 2 each side
undo the 10mm safety strap
pop the rams off
pull the bonnet toward you

What he said.
If you look at the two hinges you will see two bolts on each one.
The rearmost ones fit a slotted hole on the bonnet section, so you only have to loosen them. When it comes to fitting the new one you can guide them on to those bolts first which takes the weight.

Only thing not been mentioned is the difference between pre- and post-facelift models.
The later ones have two catches on the sides whereas the early one has one in the middle.
However, the fitting for a central catch is still there on the later ones, so you can swap over if needed.

 

[GengisKaan]

[/quote]

Very easy to do- just take your time and get a mate to help- the bonnet isn't heavy just awkward


[/quote]

Thanks mate, will have a pop once it arrives.

I'm going to order some Plastidip as suggested above, see how I get on with it and let you know.

Do I need to remove the wheels entirely? I don't have enough jackstands for the whole car at once!

 

[GengisKaan]

Only thing not been mentioned is the difference between pre- and post-facelift models.
The later ones have two catches on the sides whereas the early one has one in the middle.
However, the fitting for a central catch is still there on the later ones, so you can swap over if needed.

Cheers Zed. I'll follow what you guys said so far - sounds simple enough, my housemate will be on hand (he's 6ft 7", so can put those long arms to use!)

I bought one with a central catch only, apparently pre-face lift so should be fine, I hope

 

[Pondy]

Do I need to remove the wheels entirely? I don't have enough jackstands for the whole car at once!

Just do one a time. Do one put it back on and do another, and so on.
A deck of old playing cards come in very useful for protecting the tyre from paint.

 

[GengisKaan]

Alright gang.


Thanks for all the help, new bonnets on.

Definitely didn't drop it and scratch it at all... :roll:

Anyway, the difference is night and day - thanks for all the tips, really helped. I now have a lovely crusty bonnet ornament in my room. Anyone know a good way to get rid? Local scrap man?

In any case, here's some pics!

 

[Pondy]

Looks like a decent job from the pics. Shut lines seem to be spot on.

 

[Chris_D]

Looks like a decent job from the pics. Shut lines seem to be spot on.

...if not the diabolical colour-match.
Still..

 

[GengisKaan]

Looks like a decent job from the pics. Shut lines seem to be spot on.

...if not the diabolical colour-match.
Still..

Do you think the colours off? The street lighting seems to make it look that way, but it looks identical IRL. They're both Titanium Silver, so not sure what would be different...

 

[Chris_D]

Looks like a decent job from the pics. Shut lines seem to be spot on.

...if not the diabolical colour-match.
Still..

Do you think the colours off? The street lighting seems to make it look that way, but it looks identical IRL. They're both Titanium Silver, so not sure what would be different...

In the first pic it looks like a totally different colour!
2nd pic looks better admittedly.
Throw a photo up taken in daylight, maybe it looks better.

 

[kis]

I now have a lovely crusty bonnet ornament in my room. Anyone know a good way to get rid? Local scrap man?

If you're in London, leave it outside near your bins. It'll be gone in a day or two.