How to sort rusty wheelarches on an E46?

[Tom]

A while ago I helped advise a friend on buying a 3 series. He ended up with an E46 and he's got a bit of rust bubbling appearing on the outside of the front wheelarches. A garage has said that it'll be difficult to get someone to sort this out, and that he'll probably have to replace the wings .

I can't believe this, but he trusts the garage guy so I said I'd see if I could find some more info. Can it be a problem with paint matching a particular colour?

Not sure on the colour code but it's some sort of blue (poss. Topaz).

Any recommendations or advice on who might be able to sort it out?

[philthy]

What age is it? do they not have 10yr paint warranties?

[Tom]

V reg 2000 I think (poss. '99). Will look this up

PS forgot to add Edinburgh area would be good (he's in East Lothian).

[BiggestNizzy]

It's a pain and not really worth the hassle the only real way to get rid of rust is cut it out you could buff it back and fill/repaint but it will just come back. Best option IMHO is new wing.

I drove metro's for years so I know my rust

[Corranga]

It's a pain and not really worth the hassle the only real way to get rid of rust is cut it out you could buff it back and fill/repaint but it will just come back. Best option IMHO is new wing.

though Mini's rather than metros for me. My old 2000 Punto didn't have a spot of rust on it, what were BMW doing to their cars then!?

or buy a fibreglass car

[Neil72]

In my experience, the corrosion warranty will only be fit for bum wiping purposes unless it's had the bodywork religiously inspected every year at a BMW approved bodyshop.

[dlogan]

In my experience, the corrosion warranty will only be fit for bum wiping purposes unless it's had the bodywork religiously inspected every year at a BMW approved bodyshop.

Made a successful corrosion claim on an my E46 through grassicks in perth and it was 4 or 5 yr old. It was on the bootlid, and was zero quibble. It certainly hadnt had annual bodyshop inspections.

Its worth a try, as long as the paint thickness is in-spec or not painted previously then they may surprise and cough up even though its nearing the end of the warranty.

[kerryxeg]

I had the same issue on the previous model 3 series (model no? 1993) it seemed to be a very common problem and they fixed it under warrantee by replacing both wings. I had bought the car from them at 3 yrs old and it was then 5 yrs old.

However since then I've had the same issue with an Audi A4 (must be scottish roads). Audi's approach was a bit different, they agreed to fix one wing which wasn't quite as bad but refused to fix the worst wing which had a clear bubble. They claimed that I had an obligation under the warrantee to identify the problem immediately ie before bubbling. Of course I'd not notice the problem untill bubbling started. So they repaired one wing and also a lot of dimples which were galvanising flaws. I got the worst wing repainted myself, but after a few months it was clear that the corrosion was going to restart. Again it is quite common, I've seen the same problem on several other audi's and now make a point of checking mates cars.

At audi they apparently don't quibble if it's a 3 yr old car but once your past 4/5 years they make claims a lot more difficult.

My 2p but worth trying BMW and if your going to keep it a long time I think new wings are the only real long term fix.

Kerry

[Rich H]

My 30 year old porker is not rusty

[Doc883]

However since then I've had the same issue with an Audi A4 (must be scottish roads). Audi's approach was a bit different, they agreed to fix one wing which wasn't quite as bad but refused to fix the worst wing which had a clear bubble. They claimed that I had an obligation under the warrantee to identify the problem immediately ie before bubbling. Of course I'd not notice the problem untill bubbling started. So they repaired one wing and also a lot of dimples which were galvanising flaws. I got the worst wing repainted myself, but after a few months it was clear that the corrosion was going to restart. Again it is quite common, I've seen the same problem on several other audi's and now make a point of checking mates cars.
At audi they apparently don't quibble if it's a 3 yr old car but once your past 4/5 years they make claims a lot more difficult. Kerry

I had rust appear on both front wings of my 52 reg Audi A4 quite recently. Took it to Western VW/Audi in Edinburgh and they said not a warranty job claiming it was crease/fold rust. Under 3 years old Audi would sort and dealer discretion up to 5 years. I ended up paying myself to have the worst wing done but the bodyshop I used was very surprised when I said it wasn't a warranty repair. On their advice I decided to take the car to Edinburgh Audi and the customer service and attitude was so much better.They booked the car in for an inspection on the ramps then a few weeks later I got a call asking me to book the car in to their approved bodyshop in Glasgow for repair. Just wished I'd gone to them in the 1st instance. Sometimes it pays to perservere and maybe create a bit of a scene at the dealership or phone the main Customer Service Line if the dealer is fobbing you off.

[Corranga]

I had rust appear on both front wings of my 52 reg Audi A4 quite recently.

We just sold a 1995 A4 (i'd imagine one of the first ever A4s!) last night as the MOT expired and it needed WAAAAY too much work.
No rust on it at all though. None. Not even after us not washing it for over a year...

I don't miss it

Chris

[Andy G]

E30 was a turdy thing rust wise also!

With the E class, Alis (SLS) mates Jimmy managed to sort it out prior to selling it - wasnt bargain basement pricing, but he did a great job of sorting it out