Bodywork rust - yes or no? Head or heart?

[True-Blue]

Nearly at the point of collecting an E86, but one just came up in my prefered colour combo(not on the forum)...so felt I should go and look last night, which I did,.....last minute buyers panic!

The only thing that really put me off was that the passenger side rear wing was showing rust bubbles (small) along the lower edge where it adjoins the bumper, and also just above the lip of the arch.

This is a lower spec car than the one I’ll probably buy, but the inside is fantastic (it’s a very nice place to be) and it’s a very nice looking car.

It’s also a very good price, for what it is, so I’m wondering what the expert view is on rust as on ongoing issue?

I know a good body man, so could have the rust sorted properly for a decent price.

The other car is the ‘buying with head’ choice, all original paintwork etc, but black leather and brushed ally dash. Very high spec though, higher that the ‘heart’ car.

This car (with the rust) is very much the ‘buy with heart’ choice, although I suspect the rust is probably down to a historic repair... both cars are HPI clear.

Not asking for someone to make a choice for me, but interested in any thoughts

 

[Lynchy]

I'd go for the one you truly want, depends on price and whether having the rust sorted will be done properly so it doesn't return. I know the brushed aluminium trim isn't everyone's cup of tea but that can be removed, painted to your colour choice and refitted. What is the difference in price and the colour combo of each car ?

 

[True-Blue]

I'd go for the one you truly want, depends on price and whether having the rust sorted will be done properly so it doesn't return. I know the brushed aluminium trim isn't everyone's cup of tea but that can be removed, painted to your colour choice and refitted. What is the difference in price and the colour combo of each car ?

PM’d you

 

[JamieZ4C]

Both of my rear arches have small areas of rust that I'll be sorting out this winter while the car is SORN'd.

I think rust on the rear arches of the E86 is getting to be a 'thing'. Not entirely sure why and whether the E85 suffers too. Strange one.

Make sure you check the bootlid of the cars you're looking at for rust too as that is even more common. The previous owner of mine had it replaced under warranty by BMW.

 

[buzyg]

A lot of older E85s about and not something that has been reported much. Certainly a few have reported rear wings starting to go though Makes me think it could be more of an issue with the coupes, as they age. But nothing that can't be kept in check with a little tlc.

Buy the one in the best condition.

 

[Thrustyjust]

I have found on the inner arch, on every arch a bit of 'rough paint' which I believe is rust starting. Pretty common on Bmw's as a starting point. I have rubbed them down ( well 2 so fr, as run out of paint !) and painted with a couple of coats of POR 15 rust black paint and then I used some rubber U strip , with polyurethane adhesive to glue the strips onto the arch , inside , so hardly visible. This stops water getting to the edge of the metal arch and also stops stones from chipping the paint and so starting more rust.
Hopefully will stop any further progression of corrosion and in my eyes , caught in the nick of time

 

[Sgr74]

I’ve got arch rust. Mine is a 2003 e85. It’s not bad, but it’s there.

 

[True-Blue]

I’ve gone with the Montego car, collecting tomorrow. Figure I can swap the dash trim at a future point and it seems champagne MSport seats and door cards do come up on EBay occasionally... I’m patient.

No rust, loads of kit, lovely car

 

[Mr Tidy]

Well I have to say it - Montego Blue is the way to go! :lol:

I'm not sure which car is that colour and which has rust, but if a deal looked good I wouldn't be too worried about rust on a wing as they are bolted on so not too problematic.

Anyway, enjoy collection tomorrow, and don't forget some photos!

ETA - I think people have wrapped the dash panels, so that may be an option.

 

[True-Blue]

Well I have to say it - Montego Blue is the way to go! :lol:

I'm not sure which car is that colour and which has rust, but if a deal looked good I wouldn't be too worried about rust on a wing as they are bolted on so not too problematic.

Anyway, enjoy collection tomorrow, and don't forget some photos!

The Montego Blue is the non-rust, all original bodywork high spec car

 

[Mr Tidy]

The Montego Blue is the non-rust, all original bodywork high spec car

Lovely - that sounds like a great combination!

 

[mr nurburgring]

Over the last week or so I’ve been cleaning and refreshing parts on the z4 and removed all wheel arch linings, checking for corrosion and have found very little, these cars seem well protected.
On to of the arch lips there was no rust. The outside of the lip has a few bubbles, probably down to stone chips over time.

The z won’t be used over winter anymore so I’m glad I removed all the plastics and cleaned out all the mud and road debris, ensuring no standing wet on the bodywork.