E30 rear wheel arch rust

[bennytheball]

Hi, I have a car that needs around £750 spending on it to make it mechanically perfect. Before I spend the money I'm just wondering how much it would cost to fix a rather substantial amount of rust on both rear arches? Just wondering if it's worth fixing or if I should cut my losses and sell it on as parts?

Cheers, Benny.

[E30M3SE]

Picture of the rust may help, but if it's got 'substantially' rusty arches there is a 99% chance that it is hiding substantial rust elsewhere too.

It might be time to cut your losses.

What mechanical work does it need for £750?

[bennytheball]

I can't get a picture at the minute but all of the lover wheel arch is missing missing on the one side. The £750 is just for various bushes, four front ball joints, rear dampers and a set of tyres.

[E30M3SE]

What model is it?

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Benny - they rust from the inside out fella.

Before we go any further - check the scuttle (beneath the front windscreen) - bubbling?

Check behind the rear number plate (inside and outside the boot).

Check under the battery.

Check under sideskirts.

Check the front footwells (damp?) and bungs.

check at the back of the sunroof (need torch!) if it has one.

check under the waterbottle(s) at the front - they rust behind. Also check the general area on each side of the car near the rear of the headlights and wheel arch.

[bennytheball]

I know they're prone to rust, amazingly enough though it's only the rear arches, parts of the floor pan and the boot seal that are badly affected.

On second thoughts. As I'm writing this I'm beginning to get a sinking feeling that it's destined for the breakers yard come mot time!

Cheers for the answers though.

[GarryA]

Have you had the wheel arch liners out? Looked at the fuel filler neck etc? Lots of crap gets trapped up there.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

E30MSE makes a great point - if it's a poverty spec 316/318 then don't bother! But if it's a Johnny Cecotto......

[bennytheball]

It's a 320 saloon, with all the power of a 318 and the economy of a 325. lol

The only reason I was thinking of keeping it is that it's all original and apart from the rust it's in good condition. The fact that its horrendously cheap on insurance is massive bonus too!

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Has it got any goodies? Sport leather interior, full obc, air con, tech 2 bodykt, map light rearview mirror, period upgraded stereo and speakers? Oh and check if it has an LSD too.

Unfort; it's only a 320.

Break it; buy a 325. Lovely!

[Leins]

Please don't break that car if it's only some small rust patches that can be repaired. The number of decent, original E30s has been falling fast in the last while due to being crashed, modded to death or broken. All E30s deserve a good life

[farbbm]

My 1987 325 Sport is currently having both wheel arches repaired along with both of the sills. I've already had the floor plan and sunroof done a couple of years ago. Be under no illusions body work can eat up your money far quciker than mechanical problems especially on this age of car. It's difficult not to become attached but sometimes you've just cut your losses and maybe go out and find another one in better condition. One of the reasons for throwing money at mine was that it's an early sport and they only made them for a year so it's quite rare compared to the later ones, the other reason I can't afford an M3!