Missing small cover on bumper after service visit - what is it?

[SPACEMANRICK]

Hi there I just had a service done at the dealership to replace my spark plugs, replace my brake shields, and an oil change. When I picked my car up it was late at night and raining so I didn't do a walk around and I drove the car home. I just walked out to my garage and noticed this missing circular piece from my 2016 M3. Can you please help me identify what this piece is? Does this piece have to be taken out for the service that I had done?

Thanks for any help offered!

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Tow hook cover. Shouldn't have to be removed for service. Since you've already driven off the lot, I have a feeling your dealer will not take responsibility.

[SStoneF80]

Tow hook cover

[Shoof]

Tow hook cover.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...d/51118063105/

[SPACEMANRICK]

Thanks everyone I will contact my dealer about my lost tow hook cover and see what they say.....

[48Laws]

That’s where your front plate should be IMO.

[ferrarifast]

Originally Posted by SPACEMANRICK

Hi there I just had a service done at the dealership to replace my spark plugs, replace my brake shields, and an oil change. When I picked my car up it was late at night and raining so I didn't do a walk around and I drove the car home. I just walked out to my garage and noticed this missing circular piece from my 2016 M3. Can you please help me identify what this piece is? Does this piece have to be taken out for the service that I had done?

Thanks for any help offered!

Tow Hook Cover----A lot of BMW dealers take off the front bumper for spark plug service on the F80 M3s as an extensive amount of stuff has to be removed before the spark plugs can be serviced, and by removing the front bumper apparently its easier to take all the stuff out and it's much quicker to service the car that way.

[al3xander]

Originally Posted by shahrez

Tow Hook Cover----A lot of BMW dealers take off the front bumper for spark plug service on the F80 M3s as an extensive amount of stuff has to be removed before the spark plugs can be serviced, and by removing the front bumper apparently its easier to take all the stuff out and it's much quicker to service the car that way.

I'm not sure what dealer you're going to but there is zero need to remove the front bumper to do spark plugs on an M3/M4. Have seen them done on multiple cars including my last F80.

[Emcee]

Originally Posted by shahrez

Tow Hook Cover----A lot of BMW dealers take off the front bumper for spark plug service on the F80 M3s as an extensive amount of stuff has to be removed before the spark plugs can be serviced, and by removing the front bumper apparently its easier to take all the stuff out and it's much quicker to service the car that way.

Yeah, where do you think the spark plugs are?

[ferrarifast]

I know where the plugs are, it's just that I heard that due to the complexity that is involved with this car, particularly the fact that there is a big engine in a tight space, certain techs say the process is faster if they take the bumper off. I myself don't see why it would need to be taken off, as in most cars, like the X5 I had, spark plugs are easy to service and are easily accessible.

refer to this DIY thread, it shows the amount of things that are necessary to remove in order to service the spark plugs on these cars. Although, that does not mean the have to take the bumper off, it just seems slightly plausible to me.
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1401532

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by shahrez

I know where the plugs are, it's just that I heard that due to the complexity that is involved with this car, particularly the fact that there is a big engine in a tight space, certain techs say the process is faster if they take the bumper off. I myself don't see why it would need to be taken off, as in most cars, like the X5 I had, spark plugs are easy to service and are easily accessible.

refer to this DIY thread, it shows the amount of things that are necessary to remove in order to service the spark plugs on these cars. Although, that does not mean the have to take the bumper off, it just seems slightly plausible to me.
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1401532

100% false, the bumper has nothing to do with spark plug removal, which should be obvious from the link you posted yourself.

[ferrarifast]

link was posted to show how many things come off during spark plug service, not to confirm bumper has to be taken off. I am saying its a theory, not saying its a fact.

[Takumi587]

Remove front bumper for spark plugs? You trolling us right...

[ferrarifast]

haha,
Just linking it to the fact that Porsche dealers typically remove rear bumpers to service spark plugs on 911s...
I guess it is possible that BMW might do that too...

skip to around 1:10
Porsche tech talking about removing bumper for easier access to engine in order to service spark plugs

[allinon72]

It's not necessary, so why do you keep defending the "remote possibility?" Bizarre...

[Aaaaaaaaa]

I wouldn't be surprised if you had to remove the rear bumper on a 911 just for an oil change. This is a mass produced front engined car we're talking about lol

[shortseller]

Not sure why it's off but one thing I know for sure is, if you have to order it for replacement they don't come painted, so the cost of that little toe hook cover gets unexpectedly pretty expensive to replace.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

He could always just put a strap there because #racecarstyle

[Ian1973]

Originally Posted by shahrez

haha,
Just linking it to the fact that Porsche dealers typically remove rear bumpers to service spark plugs on 911s...
I guess it is possible that BMW might do that too...

skip to around 1:10
Porsche tech talking about removing bumper for easier access to engine in order to service spark plugs

You do realize a 911 has the engine in the rear of the vehicle right? How does that relate to a front engine car? I have changed the plugs in my E46 M3 and my E92 335i (twice), removing the bumper would do nothing for the procedure. The F8x is NO different.

[fwrigley]

Originally Posted by shahrez

haha,
Just linking it to the fact that Porsche dealers typically remove rear bumpers to service spark plugs on 911s...
I guess it is possible that BMW might do that too...

skip to around 1:10
Porsche tech talking about removing bumper for easier access to engine in order to service spark plugs

That is because it is a flat 6 so the spark plugs aren't easily accessible from the top. Completely different type of car layout from the F8x M3/M4 and not comparable at all. There is zero reason to take a bumper off a F8x to replace the plugs and you are just spreading misinformation.

[f80NJ17]

Originally Posted by SPACEMANRICK

Hi there I just had a service done at the dealership to replace my spark plugs, replace my brake shields, and an oil change. When I picked my car up it was late at night and raining so I didn't do a walk around and I drove the car home. I just walked out to my garage and noticed this missing circular piece from my 2016 M3. Can you please help me identify what this piece is? Does this piece have to be taken out for the service that I had done?

Thanks for any help offered!

My dealership I go to takes pictures of the car before they take it in. Ask for the photos

[M4_GTS]

Originally Posted by f80NJ17

My dealership I go to takes pictures of the car before they take it in. Ask for the photos

What good does it do if he didn't notice the missing part and no pics are taken before he drives off.