Cracked Strut Tower Weld Z3

[bmwz3tower]

There is a crack in the weld between the n/s front strut tower and the body as shown in photos below.

From a search of this forum I can't see any mentions of this issue. Is this a Common Problem?
Is it structural or superficial?
The car is a 1997 1.9 Z3.

 

[Zephyr]

Looks like this was previously repaired.
and quite badly imho.
peel off the paint and filler and take another look underneath.

 

[Zephyr]

what is the story under this?

 

[Nodzed]

Its structural and I haven't ever see that before, and I have worked on quite a few Z3s @Lee may be able to offer an opinion.

 

[bmwz3tower]

View attachment 328807
what is the story under this?

It's seems to be just surface rust, I'm planning to attack it with a wire wheel then paint with primer and body colour.

 

[Zephyr]

Seems like body filler to me.

 

[bmwz3tower]

Here are some more photos

 

[Andyboy]

That's seen some action!

Definitely not factory. I'd just tidy it up - it's probably more cracking sealer than anything else.

 

[bmwz3tower]

I've opened it up more with a flat head screwdriver it's definitely not a crack in the sealer. See attached photos

 

[bmwz3tower]

Does anyone have a photo of what it's ment to look like the weld on the otherside has the wring obscuring it.

 

[t-tony]

That has definitely been repaired (very poorly) in the past. No mention on its MOT history? I would be taking the wheel arch liner out and having a good look from the underside.

Tony.

 

[bmwz3tower]

That has definitely been repaired (very poorly) in the past. No mention on its MOT history? I would be taking the wheel arch liner out and having a good look from the underside.

Tony.

There is no mention of it on the MOT history using DVLA I'll take the wheel arch liner off to check on the weekend.

 

[bmwz3tower]

I've just noticed that the strut tower weld with the crack has definitely been repainted - it has glossy clearcoat and o/s strut tower does not.

 

[Zephyr]

I've just noticed that the strut tower weld with the crack has definitely been repainted - it has glossy clearcoat and o/s strut tower does not.

everything points to a very bad repair and probably a cover up of a very expensive damage.
You clearly have body filler all over the tower as I posted above and also, what is this mess here? Paint over some kind of sealant?
Can you reverse the sale or it is too late now?

 

[Duncodin]

If the inner wing and /or strut tower has been replaced badly then the work was more than likely not done on a proper jig so it might not be square.

Have the tracking and camber checked.

 

[bmwz3tower]

If the inner wing and /or strut tower has been replaced badly then the work was more than likely not done on a proper jig so it might not be square.

Have the tracking and camber checked.

The strut tower looks to have original welds securing it to the body skeleton, suggesting if anything was replaced, it would be the front wing. And I can't see a way in which a wonky front wing would effect alignment. Unless it would ?

 

[bmwz3tower]

everything points to a very bad repair and probably a cover up of a very expensive damage.
You clearly have body filler all over the tower as I posted above and also, what is this mess here? Paint over some kind of sealant?
Can you reverse the sale or it is too late now?

That mess is more filler.

 

[Lee]

Hard to tell from those photos, does look like someone might of tried tidying up the area and sealed rust underneath that new seem sealer.

I'm assuming you've not owned the car long.

 

[bmwz3tower]

Hard to tell from those photos, does look like someone might of tried tidying up the area and sealed rust underneath that new seem sealer.

I'm assuming you've not owned the car long.

I've only had the car for about 2 weeks, I'll look under the wheel arches soon and check.
I presume it would be rectifiable by removing filler, grinding down old welds and re welding.

 

[Zephyr]

I insist that there is an issue with the tower. The first photo you posted is 100% cracked bondo (body filler or how you call it).
why would anyone use bondo on a strut tower? at any paint job, its just primer, paint, clear.
work that area with a screwdriver and remove as much as you can. It may reveal its secret.
and that rust is there just because of this.