8 Series bodywork problems
Discussion
Hi,
Advice please from those of you who have viewed a few 8 series as I'm currently searching for one.
I've now looked at two mid 90s cars, (both low mileage with fsh) that have "slight" corrosion in the rear wings. The top of the arches and also at the base of the rear arch where it meets the sill on both cars have had previous repairs but both were blistering again. Is this a common problem or have I been unlucky?
The only other obvious corrosion on either car was to the rear suspension mounts when I stuck them on a ramp.
Aside from this concern I could have had either as both were well sorted with stacks of history. Both were 840s circa 95 / 96 for £5 to £7 k with sub 65k miles.
Am I expecting too much from a 13 year old car and they are all like this or was I right to walk away?
Thanks in advance
Ady
Advice please from those of you who have viewed a few 8 series as I'm currently searching for one.
I've now looked at two mid 90s cars, (both low mileage with fsh) that have "slight" corrosion in the rear wings. The top of the arches and also at the base of the rear arch where it meets the sill on both cars have had previous repairs but both were blistering again. Is this a common problem or have I been unlucky?
The only other obvious corrosion on either car was to the rear suspension mounts when I stuck them on a ramp.
Aside from this concern I could have had either as both were well sorted with stacks of history. Both were 840s circa 95 / 96 for £5 to £7 k with sub 65k miles.
Am I expecting too much from a 13 year old car and they are all like this or was I right to walk away?
Thanks in advance
Ady
Have a look on here: http://www.clube31.net/
(a bit quiet, but very useful).
There are a few very knowledgeable 8 Series guys (8tech, Torqwrench, Parksie et al) on here who I'm sure will be along soon.
From my very amateur experience, minor rust on rear arches seems quiet common, wouldn't let it put you off.
(a bit quiet, but very useful).
There are a few very knowledgeable 8 Series guys (8tech, Torqwrench, Parksie et al) on here who I'm sure will be along soon.
From my very amateur experience, minor rust on rear arches seems quiet common, wouldn't let it put you off.
Job38 said:
Have a look on here: http://www.clube31.net/
(a bit quiet, but very useful).
There are a few very knowledgeable 8 Series guys (8tech, Torqwrench, Parksie et al) on here who I'm sure will be along soon.
From my very amateur experience, minor rust on rear arches seems quiet common, wouldn't let it put you off.
you mean http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...(a bit quiet, but very useful).
There are a few very knowledgeable 8 Series guys (8tech, Torqwrench, Parksie et al) on here who I'm sure will be along soon.
From my very amateur experience, minor rust on rear arches seems quiet common, wouldn't let it put you off.
Very wise man when it comes to BMW's, especially the big 8
Ady_ said:
Hi,
Advice please from those of you who have viewed a few 8 series as I'm currently searching for one.
I've now looked at two mid 90s cars, (both low mileage with fsh) that have "slight" corrosion in the rear wings. The top of the arches and also at the base of the rear arch where it meets the sill on both cars have had previous repairs but both were blistering again. Is this a common problem or have I been unlucky?
The only other obvious corrosion on either car was to the rear suspension mounts when I stuck them on a ramp.
Aside from this concern I could have had either as both were well sorted with stacks of history. Both were 840s circa 95 / 96 for £5 to £7 k with sub 65k miles.
Am I expecting too much from a 13 year old car and they are all like this or was I right to walk away?
Thanks in advance
Ady
This really depends on just how well the car has been looked after. Whilst a good owner will keep it washed and serviced, an enthusiast will clean under the arches with the wheels off to stop build-up of muck around this area. You may find that the arch liner is damaged or incorrectly fitted. This is not a major expense and you may also find that the seller has gone the cheap filler/paint repair route. The only way to do this properly is cut out the corrosion and weld in a new lip section. Also, remove the sills, jet wash and waxoyl before refitting, a real nasty damp trap those.Advice please from those of you who have viewed a few 8 series as I'm currently searching for one.
I've now looked at two mid 90s cars, (both low mileage with fsh) that have "slight" corrosion in the rear wings. The top of the arches and also at the base of the rear arch where it meets the sill on both cars have had previous repairs but both were blistering again. Is this a common problem or have I been unlucky?
The only other obvious corrosion on either car was to the rear suspension mounts when I stuck them on a ramp.
Aside from this concern I could have had either as both were well sorted with stacks of history. Both were 840s circa 95 / 96 for £5 to £7 k with sub 65k miles.
Am I expecting too much from a 13 year old car and they are all like this or was I right to walk away?
Thanks in advance
Ady
If the rest of the car is good, knock down the price to reflect this work and get it done as £5k-£7k is Mondeo money.
Rear suspension mounts eh! There's a surprise. New mounts and re-inforcing plates at about £60 the whole lot should sort that.
8Tech.
Thank you for the replies so far.
I think I'm going to take a punt on the one I've seen today. Bang for buck it's a stonking GT. The car comes with a new MOT & warranty and my instincts are that the car is as straight as I'm going to get for the money. Just about everything has been done on it recently including a full service.
It's going to be a third car with limited use so I'm going to have plenty of opportunity to iron out any niggles.
Just for the record I spoke to a BMW body shop who advised me that it would cost about £3k per side for new rear wings (I joke not). Maybe they are gold plated?
I'll let you know if I got it wrong
I think I'm going to take a punt on the one I've seen today. Bang for buck it's a stonking GT. The car comes with a new MOT & warranty and my instincts are that the car is as straight as I'm going to get for the money. Just about everything has been done on it recently including a full service.
It's going to be a third car with limited use so I'm going to have plenty of opportunity to iron out any niggles.
Just for the record I spoke to a BMW body shop who advised me that it would cost about £3k per side for new rear wings (I joke not). Maybe they are gold plated?
I'll let you know if I got it wrong
An 8 series with a corrosion problem on the rear wings and suspension mounts? I'd keep away, to be honest. It sounds like its been reversed into the sea.....
The majority will be completely clear in these areas.
The e31 was very well built out of very good steel and relatively well protected. If any rust makes an appearance it will be front wings in the centre at the wheel arch lip. You get the usual occasional bubble at a panel edge (sunroof etc) but this isnt normally a worry and can generally be stopped in its tracks.
The majority will be completely clear in these areas.
The e31 was very well built out of very good steel and relatively well protected. If any rust makes an appearance it will be front wings in the centre at the wheel arch lip. You get the usual occasional bubble at a panel edge (sunroof etc) but this isnt normally a worry and can generally be stopped in its tracks.
Talkwrench said:
An 8 series with a corrosion problem on the rear wings and suspension mounts? I'd keep away, to be honest. It sounds like its been reversed into the sea.....
The majority will be completely clear in these areas.
The e31 was very well built out of very good steel and relatively well protected. If any rust makes an appearance it will be front wings in the centre at the wheel arch lip. You get the usual occasional bubble at a panel edge (sunroof etc) but this isnt normally a worry and can generally be stopped in its tracks.
The Guru has arrived The majority will be completely clear in these areas.
The e31 was very well built out of very good steel and relatively well protected. If any rust makes an appearance it will be front wings in the centre at the wheel arch lip. You get the usual occasional bubble at a panel edge (sunroof etc) but this isnt normally a worry and can generally be stopped in its tracks.
Hope you're well Talkwrench
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