I think this is toast

[Duncodin]

Wonder if I should order a new one or check if I've got any wire in my mig welder.

Maybe get it onto me workmate and chop the rusty end off and have a go at welding on a new bit. Worst that can happen is that it looks pants but then I can order a new one anyway.

A lot of rot there - wonder what the structural bit underneath is like. Maybe I'll post a pic.

 

[bertiejaffa]

Maybe ask @spurs fan in a coupe if he has any decent ones?

 

[Duncodin]

Maybe ask @spurs fan in a coupe if he has any decent ones?

DunNo. I think if I replace then I'd prefer new ones. Might just replace with new anyway. I'll take it off and decide what to do.

 

[jonco]

............. I'll take it off and decide what to do.

Looking at photo inner bottom corner of wing panel may be interesting when you do get it off.

 

[Duncodin]

Looking at photo inner bottom corner of wing panel may be interesting when you do get it off.

I've seen a lot - and I mean a LOT - of rust in my life. The paint on the sill looks too thick. water gets behind and never dries out. That upper side panel "might" be hiding something but it looks like original paint so, hopefully, just a bit of quick drying surface rust.

 

[jonco]

...... that upper side panel "might" be hiding something but it looks like original paint so, hopefully, just a bit of quick drying surface rust.

There is a run of sealant along the lower lip of the wing panel, if it has hardened and come away then water gets in behind. I repaired mine first time and got ~ 6years out of it but replaced wing panel 2 years ago when I fitted new sill covers which had also been repaired at same time. Good Luck.

 

[Duncodin]

Looks like a bird's nest in here

 

[Duncodin]

Inner sill is OK though.

Outer sill is shot.

 

[Duncodin]

But I'll have a go. Just for a laugh. Chopped out the rot and new bit ready to be welded in. Lots of surface rust still in there but load of waxoyl shoul stop that.

 

[Duncodin]

Welded both sides - Yes. I know it's a mess. But I'm not a welder. But I'm sure it won't be falling off any time soon.

and filled on the front. Needs a skim then ready for primer

 

[Pingu]

That doesn't look too bad.

Ideally, all the sacrificial external panels would be fibreglass.

 

[bertiejaffa]

I think that looks alright - as long as it is good and safe I would be proud of the work

 

[Ian&Sue]

Welded both sides - Yes. I know it's a mess. But I'm not a welder. But I'm sure it won't be falling off any time soon.

View attachment 226135

and filled on the front. Needs a skim then ready for primer

View attachment 226137

Looks good to me.

Ian.

 

[Duncodin]

Why is it always when you're in the garage trying to spray paint something a huge fly lands on the paint. Then, instead if standing on its tippy toes waiting to die, it rolls about like an olympic gymnast.

 

[colb]

Well that looks a tidy job you made of that despite being a non Welder. Good effort and you have saved a wad of cash for something else.

 

[Mint]

That looks great to me, well done.

 

[Duncodin]

Paint is on. It's far from perfect. Couple of raised bits. Metal not quite straight etc. But it'll do.

I'm not sure it's really worth fixing when they get this bad. Had to weld some to the back end as well.

Quite a few hours work that could have been better spent in the garden. What's a new one cost from BMW nowadays?

@colb Wad of cash saved for "the missus" to spend on something else.

 

[Duncodin]

And I think this is maybe the first picture I've ever posted of the RIGHT side of my Zed3. Just come through the car wash.