Mk1 Front for a 2005 Facelift: The Pitfalls

freelancer · 13th April 2024, 18:40

Having thought about this in the past and as I'll hopefully be getting some Platinum Gold paintwork done after the sill pieces I have from Tom Hobbs are welded in this summer, I've thought again (so as to make the vehicle as pleasing as can be) to source a 2nd hand Mk1 front bumper, have it sprayed and fit it.....

Mk 1 Front, Facelift Rear: is that such a no no? Obvs, purists will say so and I acknowledge that point but I am tempted.

What other pitfalls would I encounter if I went down that path? I can think already:

Change Facelift Xenon headlights for Mk 1 headlights
Also different style front side repeater and fog lights
Do all Mk 1 fronts have headlamp washers
Aything else?

macafee2 · 13th April 2024, 19:08

front fog lights I think are different.
Also the bonnet release is, I think different

macafee2

Ched · 13th April 2024, 19:36

The styling maybe different so get a bumper with the indicators and fogs already fitted.
Make sure the bumper infill is there as a mk2 is different.
As for the lights, a cheaper option is to try aliexpress for the lenses and swap them over, or get a scrap set of xenons with good lenses and swap them over, and no all mk1's dont have headlamp washers.

Thats all you need to changeover, and remember, your car your choice, dont worry what others think.

daveo138 · 13th April 2024, 19:44

The bonnet safety catch release is different, but I don't see why the Mk2 catch won't work with a Mk1 bumper.

Mike Trident · 14th April 2024, 07:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ched

The styling maybe different so get a bumper with the indicators and fogs already fitted.
Make sure the bumper infill is there as a mk2 is different.
As for the lights, a cheaper option is to try aliexpress for the lenses and swap them over, or get a scrap set of xenons with good lenses and swap them over, and no all mk1's dont have headlamp washers.

Thats all you need to changeover, and remember, your car your choice, dont worry what others think.

I have considered doing a similar thing to my facelift many times.

I never knew that about swapping the lenses, the cost of new headlights has always put me off the swap!

freelancer · 14th April 2024, 11:13

thanks for all your comments...

not sure (but excuse my ignorance) that Aliexpress would have replacement lenses for headlights and would that not involve some form of tricky softening of adhesive and pulling away at plastic pieces...

suzublu · 14th April 2024, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by freelancer

thanks for all your comments...

not sure (but excuse my ignorance) that Aliexpress would have replacement lenses for headlights and would that not involve some form of tricky softening of adhesive and pulling away at plastic pieces...

There was a thread on lens removal some years back which involved a cardboard box, heat gun, lots of tape and some mastick. 😎

Sent from my SM-A145R using Tapatalk

Lagetha · 15th April 2024, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveo138

The bonnet safety catch release is different, but I don't see why the Mk2 catch won't work with a Mk1 bumper.

The bonnet safety catch is the same location on Mk1 & Mk2, it's attached to the slam panel, not the bumper. I recently fitted a mesh grill, so had to trim off the bonnet release lever that used to protrude through the grill slats - I can release the bonnet using an index finger against the catch, once the main bonnet release has been operated. Your existing Mk2 release will make it easier - there's a lever to press. I didn't fit the Mk2 release I have - need to remove the slam panel to do it!

freelancer · 21st April 2024, 19:38

...Hoping still to source a Mk1 Front Bumper for my 2005 "facelift".

Grateful if you can advise on following..

My current Connie 2.5V6 (2005) has headlamp washers.

Questions:
Is it just some versions of the Mk1 that have headlamp washers on the front bumper?

If the front bumper does not have headlamp washers can they (easily) be retro-fitted?

13th April 2024, 18:40	#1
freelancer Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Connoisseur SE 2.5V6 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 226 Thanks: 56 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Mk1 Front for a 2005 Facelift: The Pitfalls Having thought about this in the past and as I'll hopefully be getting some Platinum Gold paintwork done after the sill pieces I have from Tom Hobbs are welded in this summer, I've thought again (so as to make the vehicle as pleasing as can be) to source a 2nd hand Mk1 front bumper, have it sprayed and fit it..... Mk 1 Front, Facelift Rear: is that such a no no? Obvs, purists will say so and I acknowledge that point but I am tempted. What other pitfalls would I encounter if I went down that path? I can think already: Change Facelift Xenon headlights for Mk 1 headlights Also different style front side repeater and fog lights Do all Mk 1 fronts have headlamp washers Aything else?

13th April 2024, 19:08	#2
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,932 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	front fog lights I think are different. Also the bonnet release is, I think different macafee2

13th April 2024, 19:36	#3
Ched I really should get out more....... MG ZT V8, MGZT 135 derv ,MG TF 135 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Romsey Posts: 2,293 Thanks: 553 Thanked 573 Times in 385 Posts	The styling maybe different so get a bumper with the indicators and fogs already fitted. Make sure the bumper infill is there as a mk2 is different. As for the lights, a cheaper option is to try aliexpress for the lenses and swap them over, or get a scrap set of xenons with good lenses and swap them over, and no all mk1's dont have headlamp washers. Thats all you need to changeover, and remember, your car your choice, dont worry what others think.

13th April 2024, 19:44	#4
daveo138 Gets stuck in Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Chesterfield Posts: 679 Thanks: 206 Thanked 69 Times in 53 Posts	The bonnet safety catch release is different, but I don't see why the Mk2 catch won't work with a Mk1 bumper.

14th April 2024, 11:13	#6
freelancer Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Connoisseur SE 2.5V6 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 226 Thanks: 56 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	thanks for all your comments... not sure (but excuse my ignorance) that Aliexpress would have replacement lenses for headlights and would that not involve some form of tricky softening of adhesive and pulling away at plastic pieces...

21st April 2024, 19:38	#9
freelancer Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Connoisseur SE 2.5V6 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 226 Thanks: 56 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	...Hoping still to source a Mk1 Front Bumper for my 2005 "facelift". Grateful if you can advise on following.. My current Connie 2.5V6 (2005) has headlamp washers. Questions: Is it just some versions of the Mk1 that have headlamp washers on the front bumper? If the front bumper does not have headlamp washers can they (easily) be retro-fitted?