Video Surface rust on sill, can it be trusted

Pete-BStoke

Pete-BStoke

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Hi everyone, I’ve owned 3 z3’s over the last 15 years, love them. I’m recently in a fortunate position to potentially purchase a Z3m roadster.


It’s fairly well priced from a dealer for a 02 plate. Upon viewing I noticed rust on the outer sills, one in particular is heavily corroded. Other than that, appears good condition 3 owner car.


The dealer assured me the sills have surface rust only under the outer sill and everything is solid. He sent a video of what I think is the particularly bad sill in question, which was taken by an attached MOT service centre next to the car dealer.


I’m a little dubious as it’s a fair chunk of money to change hands for something that may turn into a bit of a nightmare.


Short 1 minute video in the link below, I would really appreciate any thoughts on the test the service guy is doing and my risk level in purchasing this beauty with surface rust on the sills. I don't mind a bit of work but definitely don't want a dud!


Thanks!!

Pete
 
The video is a bit grainy but it looks like it's rusty beyond the sill?

New sills are only about £110 each, but I'd want to see behind them before buying that car.
 
Until you get the sills off you don't know what you are going to find, I have a 2.8 and I have recently replaced both inner sills as they where rotted through,

2.8.5.webp
 
sills.webp
Pete-BStoke said:
Thanks Sean, didn’t realise you could replace the inner sill, that could be an option
Click to expand...
Its not that easy I'm afraid, another forum member saved this build by cutting a pair of mint ones of a breaker
sills4.webp
 
Pete-BStoke said:
Thanks Sean, didn’t realise you could replace the inner sill, that could be an option
Click to expand...
Be warned Sean could only do this as he has super powers :) It would be beyond most of us to do ourselves and expensive to get a bodyshop to do it.
 
Tfp said:
Yes, it would cost a fortune to have done if they're bad.

How many hours did the inner sills take Sean?
Click to expand...
Not sure on hours but had it been done in the shop it would have been over £1k per side
 
mrscalex said:
Be warned Sean could only do this as he has super powers :) It would be beyond most of us to do ourselves and expensive to get a bodyshop to do it.
Click to expand...
Believe me Robert, it tested me to my limits and I remember saying to Carrie once it was done that it was big bloody test of my abilities.
 
Sean d said:
Believe me Robert, it tested me to my limits and I remember saying to Carrie once it was done that it was big bloody test of my abilities.
Click to expand...
Well it’s a very lucky car it met your acquaintance! It might have bitten the dust with that source of issue in someone else’s hands. To say nothing of how it’s now been treated!
 
In my opinion, the inner sills will be fine (edited: by fine I mean rust that is treatable), if the inner sills was really bad then the outer sill covers would be alot worse than they are.
However there is about an inch of metal missing from the end of that sill. A new sill is £150 from bmw then you will pay maybe the same to have it painted.
That's what I would want to do with it being a z3m.
While the sill cover is off you can remove surface rust from the inner and rust treat it. I would also so this with the other side just to be sure it won't rust also.
Knock £500 off your price and should be a good'un
 
Last edited:
That looks roughly as bad as mine was, which was solid under the rust layer, but you'd certainly want to remove all the rust properly, treat and seal it. He's scraped off a bit of loose rust leaving plenty behind. If he underseals it now, as he says he will, then it'll continue to rust from the inside.

Mine:
d side sill front.webp

This is as far as I've got with rust removal, just to give you an idea what may be left of the sill:
d side sill rust removed 2.webp

Have you checked the MOT history here?
 
James S said:
That looks roughly as bad as mine was, which was solid under the rust layer, but you'd certainly want to remove all the rust properly, treat and seal it. He's scraped off a bit of loose rust leaving plenty behind. If he underseals it now, as he says he will, then it'll continue to rust from the inside.

Mine:
View attachment 84296

This is as far as I've got with rust removal, just to give you an idea what may be left of the sill:
View attachment 84297

Have you checked the MOT history here?
Click to expand...
That is still very corroded and will be back in the blink of an eye, the layers need hammering off and the remaining rust grinding away and treating
 
Sean d said:
That is still very corroded and will be back in the blink of an eye, the layers need hammering off and the remaining rust grinding away and treating
Click to expand...
Yes, I didn't have the time or gear to sort it fully. It'll be done properly when I replace the sill covers.
 
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