Rusty Scuttle

[batleyrhino]

Would this be repairable, or would the chop out be so big it would be a major issue?



Rest of the car looks OK, the guy want's £2,300 for it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1989-BMW-325- ... 3a7a0af2c3

[polsta]

what youd maybe have to ponder- is whats under there ? and the bulkhead corners under there may be shot possibly and more lurking issues that cant be seen wthout taking it apart, like getting the wings off and screen/dash/bulhead covering removed

[greg124]

Yes. it would be repairable. If your are adventurous/skilled at fabrication and wending.
Rust is usully about 10 tims worse than what you can see.

If you have to ask. Walk away and buy a better one...

[Brianmoooore]

Rust is usully about 10 tims worse than what you can see.

If you have to ask. Walk away and buy a better one...

But this will apply equally to the next one you look at. If you're buying one of these, you really need to know where to look, or be accompanied by someone else who does.
That rust alone wouldn't put me off buying this at the right price, but be aware that replacing an E30 scuttle complete is a little more involved than replacing some panels. This panel has the VIN stamped into it, which is an important part of a genuine 'sport'. The new panel comes from BMW pre stamped, but the quality of the stamping of these numbers and letters on panels that I've seen that have been replaced leaves a little to be desired, to say the least.

[batleyrhino]

If the rest of the car is ok, what would you say the right price is, and how much would you be looking at to fix it?

Full of questions as usual.....

[Grrrmachine]

Rust at that point is usually caused by a blocked drain channel around the screen. This then festers and rots out the screen channel on both sides. An effective repair is going to involve removing the dash as well as the windscreen; not difficult apparently, but very involved.

Then you've either got to find a friendly panel beater or a genuine scuttle; both of which will cost.

Before you venture further, I'd give the car a good going-over based on the Rust guide:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Rust

[batleyrhino]

Cheers mate, I think I'll keep looking for now, looks a bit more involved than I was after. I don't expect to get a perfect example of a 23/24 year old car, but one that doesn't have major or terminal tin worm would be a nice start.

Another question I've got after reading the wiki, is what about tin worm on the rear arches of a 2 door? If I understand correctly, then if the outer arches are shot, there's a good chance the inner ones are too, but not being a welder myself is it hard (therefore costly) to swap out rear wings as they seem to be connected to the roof pillars????

[Grrrmachine]

If it's just the arch, you don't take the whole quarterpanel off. You buy a repair panel and cut off only as much as you need, and weld that in.

[pacerpete]

It is in Scotland, it will have plenty more more rust that the owner is ignoring.

















There are several golden rules when buying an old car. One of them is , do not bother with anything that has been in Scotland any length of time........

[Rtaylor2208]

that car is only 5 miles from me. I could go have a look at it if your seriously interested.

[Alex]

iam sure its cheap ish for a reason

[batleyrhino]

that car is only 5 miles from me. I could go have a look at it if your seriously interested.

Thanks for the very kind offer, but please don't go to any trouble on my behalf. I think it's a pass from me on this car, but maybe it would suit someone with either more time or more experience.

Thanks again anyway.

[Rtaylor2208]

To be honest for a scottish sport its not cheap. I have seen a good few for sale around the 2K mark over the last 18 months, I was tempted to go see it as its so close.

[Dan320is]

It is in Scotland, it will have plenty more more rust that the owner is ignoring.












There are several golden rules when buying an old car. One of them is , do not bother with anything that has been in Scotland any length of time........

Golden.

[Rtaylor2208]

Pete's right mine seems to have escapped the dreaded tin worm but it did spend most of its life on the south of england by the looks of all the receipts and history on the car.

Some of the sorry rotten shitters I have seen up here have been well and trully clining to a MOT.

Still a few good ones left though that zoners own.

[Topblag]

Pete's not always right.....

My cabby came from Ayrshire and before that was in aberdeen. Was garaged most of it's life and all it's had done is a set of rear outer arches and there's nothing else to be found.

Most Aussies are xenophobic though, nothing new there.

[Andyboy]

Was garaged most of it's life

Like most old cars then.