There are panel gaps, and then there are PANEL GAPS

[MiamiBlue]

The centre panel on the hood/Bonnet is waaaaay off centre. One side sits flush, and the other has a 1/2 inch gap. I'm assuming there should be 1/4 inch gap on each side.

How this got past QC I have no idea. Hopefully it's a panel that can be adjusted easily.

 

[cwfg]

Having just opened the front on mine this morning, the fixing brackets at the top of the bonnet cover look like they can be adjusted but i'd bet it would be a pig of a job to do as you'd have to have the bonnet "floating" while you loosen everything off, align and then retighten.

 

[MiamiBlue]

Having just opened the front on mine this morning, the fixing brackets at the top of the bonnet cover look like they can be adjusted but i'd bet it would be a pig of a job to do as you'd have to have the bonnet "floating" while you loosen everything off, align and then retighten.

My thoughts are, do I just accept the panel gap or let the dealer 'have a go' at fixing it. What can they break and damage in the process, which concerns me.

Do you know if the fixing brackets are 'paint sealed' over the top? I wouldn't want the paint to be stripped and become a future water ingress point.

 

[cwfg]

The brackets are quite “crude” and I doubt they were on the panel when it was painted. The issue is that because it’s bolted shut there is no tolerance available when everything is tightened up as the 3 top bolts must all align perfectly with the body lugs, while also aligning with the hinge brackets.. The factory obviously has a process for achieving some kind of initial alignment but I can’t easily see how they did it.

If you’re so minded, you could open it up and take a look. Takes about 5 mins albeit a little fiddly. You could then decide if you want the dealer to have a go?

 

[netsinah]

Unacceptable appearance. Have dealer correct, rather than trying it yourself which could create paint damage not covered by warranty.

 

[cwfg]

Agree. I definitely wouldn't attempt to realign myself.