Sunroof rust on potential E30 purchase.

[clubsport95]

Hi, first post here from a potential E30 owner.

I am looking at a 1990 325i, overall the car is not in bad condition.

There is a little rust to the rear arches, but I am more concerned about rust in the sunroof channel.






I fear this may be a hole when I investigate.
The drain holes and A pillars appear to be ok.

Is it best to just walk away from this one?

Thanks.

[Cloggy Saint]

You'd be hard pushed to find a sunroof panel that doesn't have rust. Compared to some this doesn't look too bad but be 100% sure it hasn't spread to the roof skin as that spells disaster.

[clubsport95]

Thanks, there are a couple of minor veins in the in the actual sunroof panel, barely noticeable unless you are right up close and looking for them.

The roof panel itself looks ok and no evidence of leaks from inside.

I had a mk1 Golf GTi which has worse rust than this due to blocked drain channels, you could hear the A pillar rust "crunch" under trim if you pressed it!

This E30 is not as bad as that was.

I looked in the usual suggested places for E30 rust and the front bulkhead, floors, boot, rear seat well and battery area look like a 5 year old car.

Such a shame about this rusty sunroof panel, it is really putting me off of the car!

[Cloggy Saint]

I wouldn't let this put you off too much as it can be replaced. If the rest of the areas you listed are clean and rust-free that's probably more important.

[clubsport95]

When you say replaced, we could be talking a lot of £ for welding and paint, a new roof would make this an uneconomical purchase in my eyes.

[Cloggy Saint]

Paint maybe but no welding involved in replacing a sunroof panel.

[Stefan on probation]

Depends on the price of the car, if its at the premium end leave it, if its cheap enough to drive then break to get your money back then it may be worth considering, it all depends on what you want out of the car.

[clubsport95]

A car to use occasionally for fun, not break for parts or enter into concours.

I appreciate the car is 27 years old.

[Cloggy Saint]

You won't find an E30 that doesn't need some sort of attention without spending big ££.

[Brianmoooore]

That particular patch of rust wouldn't worry me too much. It's almost certainly a hole, but it's accessible with a MIG torch, so a bit of cutting, fabrication, welding and a lick of paint will sort it.
The important question is " is there any more rust in the sunroof frame in more inaccessible areas?"

[aze30]

That to me looks like the sunroof frame itself....if there is rust there then there certainly will be more once that rooflining comes off

[biffer]

Does look like heavy rust,but localised.

Also,lt seems like its originated on the outside,rather than worked its way from inside out,which is another positive.

[Stefan on probation]

You won't find an E30 that doesn't need some sort of attention without spending big ££.

Hammer, Nail, Head

But they are worth the work if the costs are reasonable/ish.