Cabriolet front wing/fender rust

[Mapexman]

Hi

I have started preparing my e30 cab for a respray and found the front wing arches has started to rust from the inside out.
It hasn't totally rusted through yet but there are small pin holes.


It is the drivers side wing and I'm really struggling to find one New or in good condition.

Would anyone advise repairing them? Or has anyone got any experience repairing them?

Thanks in advance
Andy

[singlezero]

Hi

I have started preparing my e30 cab for a respray and found the front wing arches has started to rust from the inside out.
It hasn't totally rusted through yet but there are small pin holes.


It is the drivers side wing and I'm really struggling to find one New or in good condition.

Would anyone advise repairing them? Or has anyone got any experience repairing them?

Thanks in advance
Andy

Hi,
a repair is possible, but if you're looking for OEM wings, Cotswold BMW supplied me a pair for £165 each a year or so ago.
Cheers

[bimanut]

If the pitting isn't major you could clean and treat with some of that rust magic stuff (don't know the proper name)

[Gavla]

you can replace with any decent wing and transfer the sill part of the cabby wing to the good wing... Hope that makes sense?

Better to rather replace than repair IMHO... Where are you based?

[Mapexman]

The pitting is only feel slight but has come all the way through

I didn't think about using the arch from a standard wing, that's a good idea..


And I'm based in durham uk.

[JP1979]

Hi Andy, I have recently gone through the same thing... I have bought other cabby wings.. Bloody expensive!! And still they are all somewhat corroded and can't help but think they will only last so long... My opinion is as follows... Worked great for me... I bought some new front wings for a 2 door, not a cabby... These cost about 45 quid each from eBay and are OE quality... Then get your local body shop to spot weld a small piece on the bottom... Which is the only difference between the two wings... It's easier than you think and should cost you more than 50 quid or so for the body work... Especially if your having it resprayed.. Makes sense... If ou needs pics or anything I will email them to you if you wanted, just PM me... You will love the result .. BMW do exactly the same.. If you look carefully, all they have done is made some spot welds to extend the wing so you will have them being like new.. Good luck.. Justin

[snowman]

Hi Andy , have you taken the wing off the car yet ? .
The reason for asking is, I had the same problem on my cab and when the wings where taken off I found the tin worm had started on the inside wheel arch .