S2000 arch rust

[Vince Noir]

So the S2000 has all of a sudden developed a substantial amount of rear arch rust. What're the options here? It's almost a certainty that the inner arches would have rusted through before it became visible on the outer arches beneath the paint, likely meaning it would need chopping out. Would it be acceptable to fibreglass new lips into the arches, or better to weld in new metal.

The only quote I've had so far was for £2000-£2500... whereas before I'd seen people mention £400 or even less so that's some substantial investment, and really too much for me to justify to the other half!

[Vince Noir]

I've had the car 3 years this month and the bodywork on it has been relatively spot on but it does make you wonder if someone else has had a go. Other s2000 owners have indicated the arch protectors are to blame in that all they do is trap debris and moisture whereas other hondas such as similar aged Civics for instance do not have the arch/lip protectors and consequently don't exhibit arch rust.

Value wise, the retail price does seem to have gone up a good couple of grand since I bought it but of course this rust would impact that significantly.

Quote requests have been sent to a few other shops locally to Cardiff, failing that I might look around the midlands too as I have a base up there too.

Edit: I'd imagine getting hold of a donor rear half (shell) would be even more pricey... just a thought.

Edited by Vince Noir on Friday 7th October 11:08

[Vince Noir]

I'm not sure what lead loading is but doubt it has it, the car is nicely simple in most ways. As for pattern panels sadly I don't think they exist, they do for civics, preludes etc but not for the S2000. The rear quarters are also welded into the sill panels too so not bolt on.

For me, as long as the rust is all cut out I don't mind what the new arch lips are made of as long as they look fine when finished & painted. If anything surely fibreglass would be better as it means the rust can't return in the same area? At this point though I do very much wish I could weld... gonna be a lot of overtime worked this winter.