New member advice needed

[SussexZed]

Morning and hello! New member here, purchased a 1999 2.8 (120k miles) in march and it’s just had first mot since. Long list of failures including welding.

Love the car and really just want to find out if they are worth saving or if I should just break what I can and scrap the rest.
Has anyone had long term success after welding or is the car always going to deteriorate further?

Been quoted about £2k+/- to get it through the ticket. The welder is nervous about how much will need to be cut back etc and didn’t want to under quote. It could be less they say…

Interior is immaculate and everything that isn’t underneath the car is in good shape.

V2 BMG

 

[Shelly]

 

[JamesMcDonald]

Do you have any pictures of the sill rust?

It is common for MOT testers to incorrectly fail cars on rusty outer sills, which are in fact a bolt on cosmetic panel that does not contribute to the structural rigidity of the car. The structural inner sill found underneath is considered extremely strong and very rarely needs repair.

 

[Stevo7682]

Agreed you could present the car with no outer sills and it shouldn't fail as non structural.
Newsills from bmw are around 180 each and as said are bolt on not welded.

This is what a zed look like with panels all off.
Looking at your fails there for me is less than 1k that includes new sills ( without painting. )
Stephen.

 

[SussexZed]

Do you have any pictures of the sill rust?

It is common for MOT testers to incorrectly fail cars on rusty outer sills, which are in fact a bolt on cosmetic panel that does not contribute to the structural rigidity of the car. The structural inner sill found underneath is considered extremely strong and very rarely needs repair.

Thanks. No pictures yet I’ll get the car back and strip the outer sills. Welder has said he’ll inspect properly and let me know better detail.

 

[SussexZed]

Agreed you could present the car with no outer sills and it shouldn't fail as non structural.
Newsills from bmw are around 180 each and as said are bolt on not welded.
View attachment 343263
This is what a zed look like with panels all off.
Looking at your fails there for me is less than 1k that includes new sills ( without painting. )
Stephen.

Thanks. They were talking about the inner sills but they haven’t actually removed the outers so maybe they need to better inspect once they are off

 

[ktnez99]

My Z3 2.8 has just had welding done to it. To the rear top arches and inner sills. Is it worth it? To me, yes. I get a great deal of enjoyment from driving my car and can’t wait to get it back. In terms of financial investment for the future: who knows! Who’d have guessed the Ford Escort RS2000 et al would one day fetch the prices they do.
My advice is get recommendations from others for a good welding company as the difference between one which will get the car through an MOT and one that will produce quality welding and take protective measures to ensure some longevity is a world apart.
If you enjoy your Z and can afford to get the work done to a high standard with the intention of keeping it, then do it.

 

[ktnez99]

Agreed you could present the car with no outer sills and it shouldn't fail as non structural.
Newsills from bmw are around 180 each and as said are bolt on not welded.
View attachment 343263
This is what a zed look like with panels all off.
Looking at your fails there for me is less than 1k that includes new sills ( without painting. )
Stephen.

Your Z for the Scottish run, Stephen?

 

[KASPar]

Agreed you could present the car with no outer sills and it shouldn't fail as non structural.
Newsills from bmw are around 180 each and as said are bolt on not welded.
View attachment 343263
This is what a zed look like with panels all off.
Looking at your fails there for me is less than 1k that includes new sills ( without painting. )
Stephen.

Are you auditioning it for Mad Max V?

 

[hard top]

to the Forum.

 

[Mint]

Hi and to the forum from me too in Stafford. Yes, save it.