Outer Rear Arch Panels

Post Thu Oct 31, 2013 9:42 am

Rang up BMW, panels are still available. Before I buy them I just wondered if anyone had put these panels in themselves? If so how difficult was it? Is it a DIY job or should I pay a pro to do it?

6 & 7 on there...

Http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=41&fg=25

Richard

Post Thu Oct 31, 2013 11:50 am

How good at welding are you?

Post Thu Oct 31, 2013 11:41 pm

Average, I can get metal in and it's solid, but it's not tidy and I'm certainly not a pro...

Post Fri Nov 01, 2013 12:20 am

RicardoD wrote:Average, I can get metal in and it's solid, but it's not tidy and I'm certainly not a pro...

Then surely that answers your own question , as its external bodywork you want a proper job done by a pro so it looks decent

BMW only sell whole quarter panels , so youl have to get pattern

Post Fri Nov 01, 2013 1:44 am

polsta wrote:
RicardoD wrote:Average, I can get metal in and it's solid, but it's not tidy and I'm certainly not a pro...
Then surely that answers your own question , as its external bodywork you want a proper job done by a pro so it looks decent

BMW only sell whole quarter panels , so youl have to get pattern

Parts linked are the wheel housings....

I would suggest that you have a go on one side and see if you are happy with the result,afterall,most of the seams will be behind trim!

Post Sat Nov 02, 2013 11:11 am

Its not external though, its not the quarter panel, its the outer arch panel. Where the wheel housing is there are two panels, inner and outer. Inner is part of the boot I believe and houses the rear shock. The other panel, which is where my problem is presses onto the quarter panel.

Sorry i've made this rather confusing.

Post Sat Nov 02, 2013 12:30 pm

Your potential problem is this area;

To this;

After market repair panel;

Almost there;

Ah yes;

Now I am aware that you are refering to the bit that goes over the wheel,rather than the outer lip which is what is shown here,BUT,you will have to attach your bit to this bit as well,and this is a known E30 rot hot spot.

Post Sun Nov 03, 2013 9:57 pm

daimlerman, what brand of aftermarket repair panel is that?

Post Mon Nov 04, 2013 2:02 am

Andeep wrote:daimlerman, what brand of aftermarket repair panel is that?

I think it was a Hadrian panel,the bodyman bought them in.Only available for saloon,he had to adjust the cill section to fit.

Post Wed Nov 06, 2013 4:49 pm

That's a cracking job. Further investigation indicates that I can patch the inner areas that I am concerned about. However, I will at some point need a new rear arch for the near side. Nothing I'm capable of now, but I'm doing some welding classes soon so hopefully I can have a cut myself.