Rust Locations
Contents |
Doors
The most noticeable rust spot is on driver and passenger side doors, usually lower right and lower left of the panel. While the door is pretty thick, if you see bubbling paint it might not be too late.
The fault here is that BMW compressed the metal sheets at the bottom of the door and covered them with a trim peice which is not sealed 100%. The small trim piece either rots or allows moisture to get past it on pretty much bare metal causing rust to build up and eventually expand. The good news is that you can remove the rust and repair the hole without much problems.
Make sure to sand down the inside of the door to the metal as rust will be found on both sides of the panel.
Trunk
Common rust spots on the trunk are where bump stops mount (paint strips after years of closing/opening your trunk at those points). If it's rusting there you will have to get a new trunk since no bondo will hold that much stress and welding in that tight spot will cost you a penny (for a good job). We recommend coating that area in rust convertor.
Another spot (not usual) is under license plate bulbs, the same design (see door's trim description) is applied ot the trunk allowing rust to build up within the strip. The bulb mounts loose paint and allow further rusting of their own. You can bondo the spot if it eats through (depending on location) in most cases but it will be a hard job due to limited approachability behind the panel.
Gas Door
Rust tends to form around the gas door frame/gas door it self. Straight forward repair as long as you do not mess up the paint.
Sun Roof
After opening/closing sun roof multiple times there will be scratches that are prone to rust, keep a close eye on them. Also look inside actual sun roof panel for signs of rust. If you are unlucky, you will have to pull it out and address the rust issue.
Fenders
In most cases (especially in lowered cars) fenders will be bend/cracked on top of the wheel causing rust to build up. Debris abuse also will cause paint openings around lower portion of the fender causing further issues.
Trunk
Remove all your carpet, remove plastic guard around the lock hanger. Usually you will find alot of rust there. Have fun :\
Tail lights
Due to poor sealing of tail lights you might have moisture slipping down to side of your rear body fender, right under the tail lights. The surface inside the car is pretty much even allowing water to stay there and slowly cause rusting. In one instance after removing the rust from those corners two holes going through metal were produced. Easy fix with bondo, but sad news for your car's body.
