Is this too much rust?

[Blake B]

How much rust is to much rust? I'm used to working on older Chevy's and Datsuns, so i can handle a little rust, but this will be my first BMW and not sure how reasonably replaceable this is. I'm getting this car at a great price which is why I'm even considering it. But are there enough cheap running e30s to walk away from a steal?

[Shock(/\)ave]

That rust is on the bottom of the battery compartment, which is a known highly rust prone area on these cars.

I've owned two low mileage very nice 1991 318iss, and they both had rust in that area and very little elsewhere.

Read the buyer's guides on this forum and educate yourself as to where these cars generally rust (search the forum and you'll find plenty of detailed threads covering this topic), then look your potential purchase over carefully before you make your decision.

Though many of these cars have been brought back from terminal cancer by dedicated owners, they're common enough that I would strongly suggest you spend the money on the best car you can find to start with.

[roguetoaster]

It really depends on what you want after the rust is fixed. Do you want a perfect, show-ready car, or just an affordable DD? If the former it's too much, if the latter you might as well buy it.

You can still get the repair panels from BMW, and they would run you around $500. Alternately, you could just cut out the bad areas, seal them up, fiberglass the holes and put an aftermarket rear valence on the car.

[DrJosh]

That is a typical rust spot that isn't hard to fix. If that is all there is I wouldn't shy away.

[Northern]

Mine was way worse in that spot, and my iX is like that all over the car.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Go through my build and then ask yourself is this really to much rust?

[Blake B]

Thank you all for the replies. This e30 isn't a be all, end all car for me. I'd like to tackle the rust and freshen up the car as a whole but ultimately make it a good handling quick daily driver. I know alot of you have put a ton of time and money into these cars so this question is viewed differently by all.

I'd like to make my 240z my weekend/track beast and keep this e30 a on the road as much as possible.

[noid]

Rust is like an iceberg, you only see 10% of it.

[Blake B]

^^my thoughts exactly.

[stonea]

I wish I only had that much rust :(

[DrJosh]

Rust is like an iceberg, you only see 10% of it.

True, but in fairness, that spot usually rusts from the inside out due to the battery.

[613EDRTY]

That amount of rust is called a "clean car" or "almost rust free car" up here in the NE lol...I agree with the iceberg comment, there is 100% more rust elsewhere on the car. Don't be scared though its not to bad.

[TobyB]

nope, that's not much...

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[mitchlikesbikes]

worse than mine was but not too bad. there are a few ways to go about fixing that without too much hassle.