Rear Wheel Arches

[Gibbo]

I had the rear wheel arches repaired on my E30 318i about a year ago when some rust started bumbling through. The garage did a bit of a filler job and quick spray paint. It looks good but I have to keep the paint well polished to match and I know that the problem still lurks beneath the new facade. This cost me Ԛ£175 (both arches).
I also own an E30 325i and want to be a bit more careful with the rear arches that are also showing early signs of rust. Does anyone have some experience here that would help me? How much would it cost to get new rear arches or get them properly welded etc? And, bearing in mind the 325i is metallic blue, what sort of price would net me top quality paintwork?

[Templ8e30]

Hi Mate, I had the near side arch replaced last November at a cost of Ԛ£180.

They cut the old arch out and welded a new panel in, and repainted it. The car is diamond black metallic and the colour match is spot on although I think the finish could be a bit better.

So when I get the driver's side done when it shows signs of rust I'll expect to pay about Ԛ£200-Ԛ£250 for a good quality job.


Cheers,

Iain T

[naylor04]

Yeah i agree, get em cut out and new ones welded in, its the only way to go.
Mines going in next Wednesday for both rear arches to be replaced.
Expect to pay between Ԛ£450-Ԛ£650 depending on where you go (ooh...and who you know) "Heres looking at you Jit" you know who you are.

[ian332isport]

For all you people that have new arches welded in, make sure they make the join on either the main flat part of the panel, or close to the arch lip itself.

DON'T let them make the join in the crease between the arch and the main panel. They did this on mine, and the bodykit didn't fit after this. I ended up having two new 1/4 panels to fix the problem. Trust me, you really don't want to go there

Ian.

[Simon13]

still not sorted Ian?

[ian332isport]

still not sorted Ian?

Simon,

I picked it up last Friday afternoon.

See here:

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... pic&t=7369

Cheers,

Ian.

[bullitt]

For all you people that have new arches welded in, make sure they make the join on either the main flat part of the panel, or close to the arch lip itself.

DON'T let them make the join in the crease between the arch and the main panel. They did this on mine, and the bodykit didn't fit after this. I ended up having two new 1/4 panels to fix the problem. Trust me, you really don't want to go there

Ian.

A skilled metalworker should be able to join them at the flared part of the arch with out any problems by mating up the repair section over the original arch, cutting through both with an airsaw and butt welding the new section in grind it smooth then filler, primer, paint..

I replaced the nearside on my sport and both on a mates SE buy this method..

Fortunately i have a pinstripe up the side of my Delphin grey sport and was able to paint up to that..

[ian332isport]

A skilled metalworker should be able to join them at the flared part of the arch with out any problems by mating up the repair section over the original arch, cutting through both with an airsaw and butt welding the new section in grind it smooth then filler, primer, paint..

The butt welding isn't the problem, it's the filler you need to put over the weld that causes the problem.

On a Sport, the plastic bodykit is exactly the same profile as the metal. Once you add filler (even a small amount), the bodykit doesn't sit properly, and looks well dodgy.

Ian.