MOT Failure

[Bringit96]

Hey everyone,

So my 1997 Z3 went in for it's MOT and it failed quite dramatically. The biggest failure was that both rear arms are rotten.

The mechanic told me I need to buy the complete rear arm so the rear arm, break hub etc all in one. Buying them from BMW would cost double of what I paid for the car.

So I'm trying to find some second hand.

Now should I just stick to the exact ones or should I see if I can get a secondhand upgrade, like post facelift? Or would this not fit properly?


Any ideas or insight on this would be awesome

Thanks!

 

[hard top]

@spurs fan in a coupe might be able to help with this.

Plus, also get a second opinion on what the mech has told you.

 

[Bringit96]

Considering buying a whole Z3 for £300 seeing as I need other parts

And the mech told me what was on the MOT print out "suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened *dangerous*" so that sounds pretty conclusive. I'll see if I can get a second look at it. Thanks

 

[Brian4]

Agree with hardtop they are some thick bits of steel to corrode to seriously weaken them.
Second opinion needed.

 

[t-tony]

Show us some pictures of the corroded bits please.

Tony.

ps. Sounds to me like a very inexperienced person tested it unless they're really that bad, which I doubt.

 

[hard top]

Sounds to me like a very inexperienced person tested it

Was just about to say he should get in contact with you and a couple of others on here.

I'll see if I can get a second look at it. Thanks

You are not showing where you are located, if locale to one of the boys, they could have a look at it for you.

 

[t-tony]

Reading the first post again I have a suspicion were talking about rotten back plates maybe?
Can you quite word for word what the fail criteria is please? @Bringit96

Tony.

 

[Jack Ratt]

I had a similar thing on my Zed at it's last MOT but as an advisory. When I got home I got underneath to have a look. It looked pretty bad but after I cleaned it with a wire brush, most of the "rust / corrosion" was flaky paint / underseal. I just gave it a good clean with a wire brush, as best I could then gave the whole rear sub frame and suspension arms 3 thick coats of hammerite.
I'll see what happens when it goes back next March

 

[hard top]

I'll see what happens when it goes back next March

You coated the underneath with so much oil Ratty old chap, you should be OK now.....

 

[Jack Ratt]

You coated the underneath with so much oil Ratty old chap, you should be OK now.....

as an added bonus I covered @Mint car too

 

[5harp3y]

I'd be sceptical of this!

mine looked awful when i did my rear beam but it was just the factory coating flaking off

get some pictures up and we can advise.

i'd be surprised if you couldnt just clean them up and paint them

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria.

 

[Bringit96]

Hey guys, thanks for all your replies.

I got a second opinion and saw it myself, I'll upload a couple of pictures.

They said they can weld plates into it but they'll have to check if it's legal.

@t-tony I quoted the MOT apart from saying near and offside seeing as both said the same thing. They were listed separately on the sheet

 

[hard top]

I got a second opinion and saw it myself

Christ..!!! Has that car been parked in the sea?

 

[Davyhoogy]

That's a good effort on the rust!
If you can source a parts car cheap enough go for it. Strip out the rear end and have it blasted and powder coated then install it in yours.

 

[colb]

Not seen any like that, must have been parked in salt water. Best bet would be to get used parts from one of the breakers on here, clean and paint then put them on your car. Drill a hole in the underside of the replacements and spray Waxoyle in the cavity to prevent it happening again. Refit using new bushes whilst your about it.
Few used arms on ebay but I think you would get a better deal form the guys on here.

 

[GazHyde]

Well, that's a new one on me... I've seen a few ratty ones before, but never expected them to be that bad!

 

[t-tony]

Fair enough. Never seen any like that before. No argument.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Perfectly ok to repair those if you want to go that route. All the tester has to do is satisfy himself that they are as least as strong as the original arm.

Tony.

 

[Grumps]

Wow! I suspect it's been a coastal car for much of its life.