Rust!

#1

what are the legalities of rust im thinking of doing some bondo on some small rust in the sheet metal on the bottom of the car to get it thru inspection and then was planning to cut it out and put in sheet metal, what are the rules on body repair in this regard.

#2

Body repair is not specifically addressed in the rules but it’s easy to speak too.

First all repairs must be safe and in keeping with the orginal factory design. Bondo to fill holes in the floorboards is probably not the best option. If your floor or any metal panels needs attention, fill with a proper welded in metal panel and used bondo only to the extent nessesary to smooth the surface for paint.

Another option (and my recomendation) is to sell the rust bucket and find a rust free example. See the multiple posts on what type of car to start a build with.

Cheap up front costs don’t = low build costs in the long run. By the time you fix all that’s wrong with a low dollar car your probably going to be at or above the expense of starting with something good in the first place. Not to mention all the waisted time fixing a basket case.

Track duty is hard on cars…and safety should never be compromised. Start with a good solid rust free car. If you do make repairs make sure it’s a professional job that’ll absorb the energy of impact … as BMW designed.

#3

rust ain’t no problem!

before: http://www.pbase.com/han_ahsue/image/48376976

after: http://www.pbase.com/han_ahsue/image/48376017

rest of the project: http://www.pbase.com/han_ahsue/spece30_project

#4

Repairing rust is not a problem, depends on how much money you have and want to spend. Any rust out e30 is fixable! I took the budget route and bought a $1000 325i, and it had a bit more rust than I thought.

If I had to do it over again I would have bought a pretty decent e30 and spent a $2-3k, that didn’t need any body work. In the end you’ll spend the same if not more on the rough e30.

#5

wow that rust is very dramatic mine is nowhere near that bad i have just 4 very small holes comparied to that my largest is like 3 inches smallest less then a half inch. ill see what i get on some body estimates.