E86 rear wing rust. Is this a cost effective solution?

J

JamieZ4C

Active member
 Hampshire
Both rear wings of my coupe have rust patches around the arches and I'm considering what the most cost effective solution is.

Buying 2 new wings from BMW is too expensive. Repairing them is an option but the affected areas would need new metal welding in and then spraying which would also be expensive.

Second hand coupe rear wings are in rocking horse poop territory and even if they did crop up they'd be expensive and unlikely to be Sapphire Black. So, again, expensive fitting and spraying needed.

So my attention is turning to roadsters. Because there are loads of roadsters, rear wings are available and are reasonably priced. I know they are different on the roadster compared to the coupe, but from my investigations I suspect they're the same apart from at the point where it mounts at the top (where the rear side window of the coupe or roof or the roadster is).

So does anyone know if that's correct? Could I modify a roadster wing? Potentially, if I could find two wings in sapphire black and good condition, and IF they could be modified in a position that wouldn't be visible after fitting then I could avoid the cost of respraying.

Anyone any clues if this might be a non-starter or a goer?
 
Hi I noticed quite a few Z4s have tiny bubbles of rust on the rear wings, did you find a solution?

Maybe it is easier to cut out the rust on your existing parts?

Here is a Z4 on ebay with quite a fair bit of rust, in later stages:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-BMW-Z4-3-0i-manual/174174673405?_trkparms=aid%3D888008%26algo%3DDISC.CARDS%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20131227121020%26meid%3D378c41a94f2b479380d0dd51668d6b19%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D392658752488%26itm%3D174174673405%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982
 
Warming said:
Hi I noticed quite a few Z4s have tiny bubbles of rust on the rear wings, did you find a solution?

Maybe it is easier to cut out the rust on your existing parts?
Click to expand...

Well, since writing my OP, I've since established that E85 and E86 wings are different in more ways than just the top mount bit. So I've crossed that option off my list.

Remaining options are to buy new, buy used or repair the existing ones. As you say, option 3 is looking the most likely.

I looked at my arches yesterday and actually the rust isn't as bad as I thought. Hopefully get them repaired and sprayed in the next few months :thumbsup:
 
Mine need sorting as well, both sides bubbling. I was planning on hopefully finding A1 condition second hand and simply replacing them. I also need both doors again due to rust!
 
andystone said:
Mine need sorting as well, both sides bubbling. I was planning on hopefully finding A1 condition second hand and simply replacing them. I also need both doors again due to rust!
Click to expand...
As you have a roadster, you shouldn't have too much trouble. Coupe wings are rarer than rocking horse poop covered in fairy dust!
 
Just have a good bodyshop repair the wings correctly with metal instead of filler...

Will last forever..
 
Z4M-2006 said:
Just have a good bodyshop repair the wings correctly with metal instead of filler...

Will last forever..
Click to expand...
Perhaps forever is a little optimistic, but yes, that's the route I'll probably be going down.
 
Roadster wing on a coupe is worth some investigation. If the mounting points and panel gaps are the same (or can be made the same), it’s possible that only a trained eye could tell the difference.

The other way round is pointless as the tops of the wings won’t be flush with the boot.

8A4E0A61-C6F4-48D3-85FF-2B48BCFBA878.jpegE8767836-0940-4775-8B1E-FFEFA48E9AE4.jpeg
 
Regurgitating those old thread. I saw a post recently, not sure if it was here or somewhere else that had people posting photos of the rust bubbles on the E86 wings.
A question and answer I have yet to read is…is it rusting from the inside, or just surface rust under the paint?
Just wondering if I sand the paint back to try to fix myself, am I likely to uncover a bloody great big hole???
 
Regurgitating those old thread. I saw a post recently, not sure if it was here or somewhere else that had people posting photos of the rust bubbles on the E86 wings.
A question and answer I have yet to read is…is it rusting from the inside, or just surface rust under the paint?
Just wondering if I sand the paint back to try to fix myself, am I likely to uncover a bloody great big hole???
 
Hey, So has anyone ever seen an e86 coupe rear quarter?… there’s nothing on the internet i can find…but would love any photos showing the differences…
 
Someone needs to start making replacement front wings and rear quarter panels out of a non metal material. I miss my first car a Reno Clio with plastic front wings. You could rest your arse on them without a care in the world and they would pop back out 😂
 
chanlon1 said:
Regurgitating those old thread. I saw a post recently, not sure if it was here or somewhere else that had people posting photos of the rust bubbles on the E86 wings.
A question and answer I have yet to read is…is it rusting from the inside, or just surface rust under the paint?
Just wondering if I sand the paint back to try to fix myself, am I likely to uncover a bloody great big hole???
Click to expand...
They rust from inside out. Water sits inbetween the plastic brakets.
I’ve just replaced both my rears for new.
If you run down and fill the rust will always come back
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

I
Nearside Rear Wing, E86, Ruby Black
Replies
10
Views
516
jock156
J
M
Free. E86 rear panel/wing
Replies
9
Views
513
Fred Smith
F
B
E85/E86 Front wings, bonnet and E85 o/s rear wing/quarter panel
Replies
2
Views
142
Bob123
B
B
E86 rear wing removal.
Replies
15
Views
10K
Meds
M
Z
E86 driver side rear wing and roof panel.
Replies
3
Views
363
Z4MGT4
Z
Back
Top Bottom