Oh the rust....

[takamichinoko]

Bit of advise on a few things,

From the outside, when i bought the car it was in great nick, i knew i had to replace the front wings but easy job so i didnt think much of it. However as always there is more rust than expected...

The inner "outer" rear arch has disappeared and theres a nice passage into the boot now, looking at the posts from guys who have done this job, i dont really think i have the skill or patience to do the job, how much should i be paying to get it fixed? or do i dare ask, even worth doing...?

your comments and advise would be appreciated!

Thanks

[gooner1]

What car mate?

[johnny_boymk1]

need pics fella

[Bob_S]

if it's nothing of particular value I wouldnt be doing much about it to be honest with you mate. A lot of e30's are screwed in this way

[takamichinoko]

320i SE

Heres a pic will try and get more.
From the inside of boot:

[RM2186]

That is a well knackered inside arch, beats mine hands down!

I would weigh up the cost of the car versus the cost of a decent repair and see which makes sense. Repairing the inner arch is not difficult if you know how to weld or someone that can.

If this is all that requires sorting to give you a good car, I'd be getting quotes from someone and then make your decision.

[nickso]

hmm. if its that bad there you can guarantee its just as bad elsewhere. i'd be looking for a new car myself, it'll be cheaper.

[Jon_Bmw]

Shall I be the first?

It is only a 320i !!

There are better shells out there mate, frag that one into bits and start again I reckon.

[takamichinoko]

Shall I be the first?

It is only a 320i !!

Someone had to say it!!!!


Any idea on cost guys? im a little attached to this car as its my first E30!!! Wanna save it if i can! but yes 320, point taken!

[initial_g]

i welded the inner and outer arches on mine and bottom of battery area in the boot now if it were a customer paying itd havee cost around 6-700 quid, you do however pay for what you get,

[Bob_S]

I agree with Jon, sorry mate. Although if you can put up with a leaky boot live with it.
You could always spend an afternoon with a grinder, some chicken wire and a tub of p38?

[clarko74]

I got my outer arches and some of the inner arches repaired recently, have a look at this thread to see the extent of the repairs I got done:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=127735

These repairs cost me £750, which is a lot of cash (the car only cost me £600 two years ago), but I do now have a rust free shell as a base.

[wlsmith]

my rear o/s arch was knackered, had a hole going right the way through not into the boot but into the rear quarter panel, spent a day and a half on it in total, firstly did 2 layers of p40 to fill the hole and then let it dry over night, then the following day i had to build up a non existant arch lip using 2 layers of p40 followed by a layer of p38 all sanded down to get the shape, then was a case of priming it all and spraying and lacquering it. It was the first time I had attempted to use filler, do my own major rust repair but i was very impressed with the results and the arch looks brand new!, it is worth saving the E30, these cars are rare now and keeping another one on the road would be well worth it. I say give it a go at doing the rust on it, a tub of filler will cost you about 6quid maximum and if you arent happy with the results and were thinking about scrapping the car anyway at least you can say you have tried

[initial_g]

it all comes down to if you want a kwick fix hide the rust or a proper never come back job really

[Banjo1981]

I went with the clean and fill option myself.

Cut all the rust away to solid, solid metal, painted this with rust preventer, then went over the top of this with Hammerite. Fibreglass, and the ally mesh things to bridge the hole. Smooth over with p38 and then back filled the space between the arch and rear quarter with expanding foam, sand and paint.

Not as good as having an new bit welded in but there isn't water in my boot any more and it only cost me a weekend and about £40 for the odds and sods, some of which I have left for any other jobs that might need doing later.

I suggest that you get some gloves and wear your tattiest clothes as the resin in the fibre glass is a total, total arse to get off. Plus it's sometimes handy to spread it on with you hands as opposed to the crappy little spatula they give you.

[Jackle]

I'll join in and say that I've just done a similar repair on mine.

Started off with a smallish hole that I could just get my fingers through, and ended up with most of the inner outer arch cut out. Made up a new piece and welded it in over a weekend, not all that pretty, but when it was undersealed and the boot lining put back in you couldn't see anything.

Also had to do a hole under the battery tray, this also ended up being most of the bottom of the well

All nice and solid now, and cheap too

The rest of the car is still solid, except the bottom of the front wings Although I've already cut and welded one, one more to do