E39 and Rust

ha ha ha ha, very well spoted, never would have put 2 and 2 together. My car has not started rotting yet "hopefully". Thats the next stage i presume.. i should have wrote it in german......

Hi all

if you look at the close up there are some round plastic plugs hiding in between the bumper and were the rust is, i assume all of them have got them. I guess thbis is where the air and damp is getting in. Also on the bonnet underneth the lip were the rust bubbles are, the bead were the metal is rolled back underneth has split.

I guess this is just bad look and i will have to get a spray shop to do the bonnet and the boot end. What should i expect to pay for a sprayed bonnet? has anyone had it done?

Hi andy

Something is going on a i aint seen any other e9 like it or anytrhing as bad, and i do look after my car, not religioiusly but i like to keep it looking good. �150 notes......ummmmmm....ummmmmmmm

I would be looking at painting up a good second hand bonnet on that one.. the rust will come back one day no matter how well the shop tries to fix it.

The back panel is more labour intensive and may well have to remain in place and be repaired to be cost effective.
Have you removed the rear bumper to see the full extent of the rust?

Have you considered what it would cost you to swap for a similar car in good order.. I am sure you could get it fixed up and looking sweet for much less.

It may be not as important theses days but.. a couple of decades ago you would never have bought a car from the seaside.. I am sure the salty air has accelerated the decay.

You know, just looking at those photos again...

It looks like the car has a bad skin infection or something ...

Careful everyone, it may be catchy... Keep you BM isolated at home in bed until it all clears up...

the bumpers are easy to remove at home, no special tools needed, just a socket set.
Look at this link.. E39 rear bumper

Exharper,that rust does look quite bad,but if you say the car is otherwise mechanicaly sound then i would be tempted to get it sorted and keep the car.

Better the devil you know i say.

 

Stone-IslandV8 wrote: Coming in bit late on this one, sorry.......mines definately got it.......front wheel arch on side, back wheel arch on the lip and rear quarter along where it joins the bumper. Moving back to a 3 methinks....p'ex deal I reckon too!

You haven't had your E39 long either?

What year/mileage is your E39?

Maybe need to keep a closer eye on mine?

Maybe it is a mileage issue rather than an age problem?

 

Stone-IslandV8 wrote: had a few tiny bubbles on my old 1999 520 with 135k on clock, these are on a 1998 535 with 123k on clock...only had it 7 months....going to go back to 3s if theres one around with decent mileage. Can get the front done for �250 but with no guarantee cos of rust...plus got running problems, not had lot of fun with my 5s.

Oh dear,doesn't sound too good,sorry to hear of your running prob's

Neither of your cars are that high mileage really.

Mine is currently on 134,000 and i will be giving it a clean tomorrow and inspecting it very closely!!!