New bonnet cable release required

[scoobydont]

Hi Chaps,

My bonnet cable has snapped. Fortunately its right at the lever. Can anyone advise the best place to pick up a new one?

Cheers.

 

[Low Rider]

Yes you could try @spurs fan in a coupe or @Synclare as they break Z3's
Or new BMW Soper as Zroadster.org receive a discount

 

[t-tony]

For something like this, personally I would fit a new one from the Dealers.

Tony.

 

[Low Rider]

I would agree Tony

 

[mrscalex]

There is only 1 place and that's at the dealer. It comes pre-fitted into the handle. They are about £30.

The latches are about £10 each as is the inter latch cable.

Having spent many hours messing around with mine and trying used parts I can only recommend you change the lot. It was the only satisfactory way of getting mine working properly and I know have something that opens like a brand new car.

Your cable may well have snapped because of one of the other components starting to seize up.

The arrangement is not sophisticated but still takes some fiddling to get reinstalled. The Pelican site has a good guide. My car has aircon and needed me to take the nearside headlamp out to so I cold get the latch in and out.

 

[scoobydont]

Off to BMW it is then.

Thanks guys.

 

[Synclare]

The problem I think is caused by the catch 'boxes' seizing up which puts extra loading on the cable, My release handle was very stiff, put new catch boxes on (around a tenner each from dealers) and release handle now fine. Was going to replace the cable also but the cost at around 30 pounds was disapportionately expensive compared to the catches so left it, it's only the same as a push bike brake cable that sells for a couple of quid or so

 

[mrscalex]

The problem I think is caused by the catch 'boxes' seizing up which puts extra loading on the cable, My release handle was very stiff, put new catch boxes on (around a tenner each from dealers) and release handle now fine. Was going to replace the cable also but the cost at around 30 pounds was disapportionately expensive compared to the catches so left it, it's only the same as a push bike brake cable that sells for a couple of quid or so

Put it this way. If my cable wasn't broken and I really only had £30 to spend to fix the problem I'd start with the latches not the cable.

But if you want to overhaul it chucking £60 at it for the whole lot is the only way to go.

I am just wondering if a cable can be made up from parts. I think you can do that on a bicycle, ie crimp the nipples on.

 

[scoobydont]

New cable ordered. £22 from BMW, will address the latches once this is fixed.

Thanks for your input everyone.

 

[Low Rider]

I would agree for £22 it's not worth bothering trying to get one made up.

 

[scoobydont]

Picked up new cable this morning £22.50, as advised above it comes pre-fitted into the handle, so it's not just the cable you get. Quite a pleasant experience dealing with BMW, will never get used to being called Sir!

 

[mrscalex]

I'm glad you have a shiny new cable and for the good price of £22.50 - mine was £30.

It can be a frustrating job changing the cable if you haven't done it before. The trim panels need to come off. Make a note of the current routing under the dash so it doesn't foul the relays when you thread the new one. Keep the cable on the handle. Feed the cable up from the inside out. The grommet is fiddly to grab and pull all the way through from the bulkhead - don't pull the metal securing collar as it might come off and it's a nightmare to get back on. Make a note of the routing in the engine bay too. On my 2.2 it drops down the side of the electrical box and the best way to do it is to remove the sealing rubbers.

I dropped both the latches so it was easier to get the cable on - it's fiddly anyway, you have to loop it round. Then bolt the latches back up with the cable in place. My car has air-con and I had to remove the nearside head lamp to change the latch

However I'll lay odds that as the cable broke in the first place your latches will be stiff and are the cause of the breakage. New latches are £10 each and I thoroughly recommend changing them. I changed the inter-latch cable too but if this looks okay that's the one thing I would skip.