Fixable? Probably not, but I'm desparate

[doublea]

Here's what I've got- This shows the strip of foot well missing that sees right into the wheel arch. I'm tired of being sprayed with water on my daily commute. Anyone have any suggestions of how to fix this other than bondo or duct tape? I'm curious if anyone has had this problem spot.


Look @ the upper left, just below the bundle of wires. that hole shows through to the wheel well (extending a bit below and well above the clutch pedal stop boss.


This one shows the hole from the outside. Notice the length of the f*ckn thing.

[Holland]

Cut out, weld new panel in.

[misterYthirty]

Cut out cancer, weld in good ish. Thats what you get with old car in NY though. Sucks

[doublea]

Cut out cancer, weld in good ish. Thats what you get with old car in NY though. Sucks

Bought it in MD, but yes, it survived a long sideways winter in Upstate NY.

Any estimates on cost from a body shop
Also, ever seen any threads with the cancer cut-paste in the same spot? Just curious if it's characteristic of E30s to have it there

[84bimmer]

Yep, one of my past e30's had rot in that exact same spot. On my current one, it was higher up on the wheel well and real small so I sanded it down, por15'd it, then used a combination of por15 epoxy putty and their fiberglass mesh to patch it....but the correct way would be to cut it out and re-weld.

[doublea]

Here's some updated photography. And after inspecting the wound more closely, with a removed wheel liner and fender, it looks pretty straight forward to fix. Might be looking at that POR-15 kit now (Thanks KMOSES), just because welding may be a hassle with that dash crossbrace in the way at the top.








Also, found another hole! Definitely using the POR 15 kit on this guy...

[e30e]

Thank god I live in Arizona, I wouldn't own an e30 with that much rust.

[nrubenstein]

There's a lot more work than por15 will solve there. Don't bother doing anything if you aren't ready to cut and weld.

[ParsedOut]

thank god i live in arizona, i wouldn't own an e30 with that much rust.

+1

[doublea]

There's a lot more work than por15 will solve there. Don't bother doing anything if you aren't ready to cut and weld.

:( well it'd be easier to weld to the outside than the inside, just because of the dash bar in the way. Any ideas on how to get that undercoating on the wheel well off? Doesn't feel like it's coming off with a scraper..

[nrubenstein]

Wire wheel and an angle grinder. A flap disc will also be useful.

[FLG]

If you dont want to weld/dont have tools, you could make a patch and use some metal bonding epoxy to put it in place. It might not be "correct" in terms of aesthetics but it will get the job done, also if you go that route when done *properly* depending on the application metal bonding adhesives are stronger than welding.

[nomansland92]

Wire wheel and an angle grinder. A flap disc will also be useful.

^ +1

cut out all the rust and form up some patching and spray them with weld proof primer then put them in primer and paint the seam the scrap out of them so keep them from leaking. seam seal all of the welds also.

[TimKninja]

I've got the same Rot. Plan on removing Dash in spring time to fix it. Mine goes partially into the engine bay as well.

[glucklich21]

On a side note, where's your fender lining?