[SwiftHalf]

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Hi there

Been for a drive tonight and then cut it short after I took a few photos of the car and realised the bonnet wasn't shutting properly. I opened the bonnet earlier in the day to take a photo of the glorious engine bay. The car has 100% not been crashed or anything else awful.

Please see attached pics. You can clearly see the bonnet not shutting and sitting flush on the right hand side of the car.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is it an easy fix? Going to ring my BMW dealer first thing tomorrow morning. Car is under full warranty. Oddly it doesn't display any errors saying the bonnet isn't shut correctly on the display.

I've taken a photo of both sides to compare. I've also taken photos of the catches inside if anyone could take a look and see which position is correct?

The 3rd photo is the drivers side (RHD) and the 4th photo is the passengers side catch.

Thanks
SwiftHalf

[GP0256]

Have someone slightly pull up on the latch while you pull the lever. Just looks like it got pushed down one notch. Should be fine after

[bSwiazzy]

yea theres 2 hooks

got slam it down haha

keep your hands wider so the pressure is outside it will close

the service drives guys are just gonna open and close it and you will be on your way lol

[Gsavarese]

You didn’t slam it hard enough. Open it again and give it a strong push down to slam it shut. Feels violent but it’s the only way for it to shut properly

[SwiftHalf]

Thanks guys, will give that a go! HARDER it is, lol

[HoJoRo]

I just let the hood / bonnet close / fall under its own weight from about a foot up , never had an issue on current or past Bimmers

[kzg1969]

yes, a high drop is required, otherwise i get the same

[Mike02z]

After having an M40i I thought the hood of the X3 M needed adjustment as I needed to slam it. The dealer said the hood for the X3 M is aluminum vs steel of the M40i. Not sure I believe him as he told me gas was shot into the exhaust system and that was why I hear a pop between gears! 🙄It was just the exhaust sound control.

[STi from DSM]

I have had the same issue. Never coming from BMW and having the two latches threw me for a loop when closing the hood. You cannot just do one hand in the center. Do one hand on each side of the BMW logo and you should be good.

Fast forward to 3:30 to show what happens if you only use one hand in the center of the hood.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by Mike02z

After having an M40i I thought the hood of the X3 M needed adjustment as I needed to slam it. The dealer said the hood for the X3 M is aluminum vs steel of the M40i. Not sure I believe him as he told me gas was shot into the exhaust system and that was why I hear a pop between gears! 🙄It was just the exhaust sound control.

Both models use an aluminum hood. But yes, the hood needs to be shut firmly.

[Gsavarese]

Originally Posted by Mike02z

After having an M40i I thought the hood of the X3 M needed adjustment as I needed to slam it. The dealer said the hood for the X3 M is aluminum vs steel of the M40i. Not sure I believe him as he told me gas was shot into the exhaust system and that was why I hear a pop between gears! 🙄It was just the exhaust sound control.

But unburned fuel DOES cause the exhaust pops. Not into the exhaust of course. Computers determine whether it occurs depending upon your drive modes.

[Mike02z]

Originally Posted by Gsavarese

But unburned fuel DOES cause the exhaust pops. Not into the exhaust of course. Computers determine whether it occurs depending upon your drive modes.

Unburned fuel yes. he said gas is injected right before the valves.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Mike02z

Unburned fuel yes. he said gas is injected right before the valves.

Fuel is injected on the exhaust stroke on heavy throttle and shifting to result in a fews pops in the exhaust to keep the turbine spinning between gearshifts

[thestimp]

My hood also needs a goot booty slap to get closed on one side, might be worth practicing slamming with fingers on the badge, or lowering the brackets a mm or so.

[richard in NC]

I do a 2 hand close to ensure both sides latch. Roughly over each latch.
A one hand on the center often leaves a side not fully latched.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

I do a 2 hand close to ensure both sides latch. Roughly over each latch.
A one hand on the center often leaves a side not fully latched.

Agree. Here's what I wrote back in 2017 when the G01 came out. https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...&postcount=527 As long as both hands are centered over the latches, one only needs to firmly push down leaving the hands (I just use fingertips actually) on the hood. No slamming required and that may cause a bounce or torque.

Mechanical issues with the latches are certainly possible, though, and a few have described an adjustment being needed to the stops but those have been rare causes it seems, with most of the problems seemingly arising from technique during closure.

[HoJoRo]

Thanks be to f82fanatic for the links to online PDF Manual for the LCI (US)

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...47&postcount=1
(Screenshot below)

My Connected Drive App Manual (UK)

Reads:-

Allow the bonnet to drop from a height of approximately 50cm, approx 20 in.
The bonnet must engage on both sides.

[HoJoRo]

lol I have visions of suburban F97 / F98 owners doing star jumps whilst attempting a correct closure action

[STi from DSM]

Energetically close it....

[X3rd Time Is a Charm]

Originally Posted by HoJoRo

lol I have visions of suburban F97 / F98 owners doing star jumps whilst attempting a correct closure action

My hood was also not closing on the passenger side , I took a wrench and lowered the upper portion of the latch on the hood a 1/4 turn on each nut and now it closes perfectly . I was always taught to let the hood drop closed . If you push it closed with your hands on top of it you can put to much pressure on it and put dents it the hood .

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by STi from DSM

Energetically close it....

IOW slam it.

[spta97]

Originally Posted by X3RD TIMES A CHARM

My hood was also not closing on the passenger side , I took a wrench and lowered the upper portion of the latch on the hood a 1/4 turn on each nut and now it closes perfectly . I was always taught to let the hood drop closed . If you push it closed with your hands on top of it you can put to much pressure on it and put dents it the hood .

Mine will not close under its own weight. To not damage the hood (or introduce finger prints on it), I put three fingers on the roundel to give it some velocity when closing.

I do not have to put a lot of pressure but if I do not do this it will not latch correctly.