I noticed some misalignments and gaps on the front side of my XJR (2002).
According to the car history it hasn't been in any accidents. It will have been subject to typical spanish parking. It has the scratches to proof it. (to any spanish friends on the forum: no, I am not apoligizing. What you call parking, they call a hit-and-run in Germany.)

Some of the gaps may in fact be normal and/or not linked to each other.

1. There is a gap of apr 5-7mm between the top of the grille and the bonnet.
It is just a piece of plastic and with a bit of force by hand I can bend it back. The top middle is not attached to anything. Maybe it is just a distortion of the grill inserts?

2. There is a gap of 1-2 cm between the housing of the headlights and the bumper.
It looks a little like the whole bumper is pushed down a bit. Only in the front. The allignment between the bumper and the side panels is correct.

The bonnet it self seems to be alligned ok.
There is however an overhang of the bonnet between the 2 headlights of apr 1cm. Not sure if that is by design.

Can anyone tell me if these gaps are "normal" and what could be done about them?
Thanks!

 

 

The "overhang" at the headlight trim can be adjusted - open the bonnet and look for a screw holding the middle part of the headlight trim; use a short screwdriver to loosen the screw and push the headlight trim forward (the trim has a slot at the screw).

The height of the bumper can be adjusted by turning the adjusting sleeves at the bumper brackets:



You will find holes on the underside of the bumper where it attaches to the brackets. Remove the long bolts and then you will have access to the slotted sleeve (see pic) which you can turn (if not seized) with a flat piece that can engage the slots (I used a 25 mm wide aluminium flat, 3 mm thick). Turning the sleeve clockwise will raise the bumper.

The grille is also adjustable. There are 4 screws holding it to brackets inside which are adjustable in-out. You will see how to do the adjustment when you take the grille out.

 

Thanks! will have a look at that today.
Any thoughts on the gap between the headlights/grill and the bumper?

 

Set the gap as you like it. I guess a few mm will be fine.