Corrosion on the Bottom of the E38 Doors

faiz · 02-07-2010, 10:03 AM

I have corrosion on the bottom of my doors and looking for a good body shop that know how to do a clean job without havig to look at the work and having doubts wondering if they used the right type of paint, primer, rust protection etc.

Can anyone tell me what needs to get done to make sure a proper job is done and knowing what to look for in a body shop for the skills and knowledge needed to get the job done right the first time. 2001 BMW 740 IL

740-iLL · 02-07-2010, 11:41 AM

This is a common problem with the E38's.

The drainage system brings water to the drain at the bottom of the doors, but the water does not exit properly, it sits there. Which causes the corrosion or rust.

Any good body shop can remove it for you, but there is no one that can guarantee it won't come back. The only guarantee is to swap the entire door with new ones that are not corroded.

They say it is like cancer, it could come back. I had all 4 of my doors fixed last summer when I did a full repaint, and since have not brought her out for the winter at all, in the hopes to keep her away from the salt as long as possible.

Dammerung · 02-07-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 740-iLL

This is a common problem with the E38's.

The drainage system brings water to the drain at the bottom of the doors, but the water does not exit properly, it sits there. Which causes the corrosion or rust.

Any good body shop can remove it for you, but there is no one that can guarantee it won't come back. The only guarantee is to swap the entire door with new ones that are not corroded.

They say it is like cancer, it could come back. I had all 4 of my doors fixed last summer when I did a full repaint, and since have not brought her out for the winter at all, in the hopes to keep her away from the salt as long as possible.

that worries me....is there any way to check it if there is rust there. My doors look fine. I dont see any bubbles etc on the doors or the side skirts. I wash it everytime i take it out in winter...but still u never know.

faiz · 02-07-2010, 06:04 PM

Do you have any recommendations regarding any particular body shops Mr. 740-iLL? What did you look for when you had it repainted and that the rust protection primer ...etc was done?

740-iLL · 02-09-2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faiz

Do you have any recommendations regarding any particular body shops Mr. 740-iLL? What did you look for when you had it repainted and that the rust protection primer ...etc was done?

European Autobody does an excellent job. May cost a little more $ than the competition, but you get a quality job from them.

@Dammerung, open your door and look at the seam of the outside metal and the inside metal along the bottom of your door. If you do not see and brown/rusty colour, you should be fine. For now.

faiz · 02-09-2010, 10:59 AM

I looked them up and gave a call. They gave me a rough quote for just painting the panels without the rust fix and its pricey. I'll swing by to get a quote but need to digest it first. The website shows alot of high end cars so I'll see what they say.

Dammerung · 02-09-2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 740-iLL

European Autobody does an excellent job. May cost a little more $ than the competition, but you get a quality job from them.

@Dammerung, open your door and look at the seam of the outside metal and the inside metal along the bottom of your door. If you do not see and brown/rusty colour, you should be fine. For now.

Im good then. Just to double check..its basically the lower sead of the door it self and not the part right above the skirt. Well i dont see anything on the doors or the part next to the bmw individual plates under the door on the frame

740-iLL · 02-09-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dammerung

Im good then. Just to double check..its basically the lower sead of the door it self and not the part right above the skirt. Well i dont see anything on the doors or the part next to the bmw individual plates under the door on the frame

The piece that is right above the side skirt, at the bottom of the door, is the drain where the water sits. So yes, that is the location where the rust, if any, would start.

Do you have your build sheet for your Individual? I would love to see what goodies you got.

Dammerung · 02-09-2010, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 740-iLL

The piece that is right above the side skirt, at the bottom of the door, is the drain where the water sits. So yes, that is the location where the rust, if any, would start.

Do you have your build sheet for your Individual? I would love to see what goodies you got.

Nope i dont have the build sheet...come to think of it im not sure if its says individual there at all lol...

careless7 · 02-09-2010, 03:56 PM

Talk to Rich at Atlantic Autobody in Etobicoke his prices have always been amazing and the work is even better.

Yeah, if you have a 740 and drive it in winter, likely you have it lurking in there somewhere because it is a design flaw. Of course most of them did not puncture through during the 6yr corrosion warranty, shoulda been 10 yrs if you ask me. But all part of the Quandt master plan to make billions :-p

Dammerung · 02-09-2010, 04:13 PM

Wash your cars!!!! :p

740-iLL · 02-09-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dammerung

Nope i dont have the build sheet...come to think of it im not sure if its says individual there at all lol...

if you post your VIN or the last 7 digits in this forum:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=974206

the OP can email you a complete order sheet for YOUR E38

+1 on washing your cars

careless7 · 02-09-2010, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dammerung

Wash your cars!!!! :p

Did you even read the explanation of how the design flaw works? The improper drainage of water is the problem - so in essence washing your car is part of the problem. If anything giving it a bath, or salt bath when it is dirty is the worst.

To drain it, you gotta open the rear doors after you wash it or after heavy rain and watch it pour out.

Ceeker · 02-09-2010, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faiz

I have corrosion on the bottom of my doors and looking for a good body shop that know how to do a clean job without havig to look at the work and having doubts wondering if they used the right type of paint, primer, rust protection etc.

Can anyone tell me what needs to get done to make sure a proper job is done and knowing what to look for in a body shop for the skills and knowledge needed to get the job done right the first time. 2001 BMW 740 IL

it can be fixed and it won't come back.....for a while that is. (Grin); two things must be done. one; sand blast or something equivalent besides grinding. Then epoxy the area. I had a body shop do the bottom edge of a door I have - last summer- which had surface rust. I'll see how it looks after this winter. but like mentioned, the surest way is changing the doors.

Once rust starts it can be slowed down alot, but it never sleeps.

Dammerung · 02-09-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by careless7

Did you even read the explanation of how the design flaw works? The improper drainage of water is the problem - so in essence washing your car is part of the problem. If anything giving it a bath, or salt bath when it is dirty is the worst.

To drain it, you gotta open the rear doors after you wash it or after heavy rain and watch it pour out.

It can be washed properly....all u need is a high pressure hose...i am aware of the problem...wash the car with a high pressure hose along the gap between the side skirts and doors...the high pressure creates a channel of water that takes all the salt out...its not water tht creates the corrosion..its the combination of salt and water....by the way i wasnt referring to your comment otherwise i would have quoted it....i meant it is a good idea to wash the car especially more often when driving in winter....there are other areas such as a pillers and fuel and brake lines that tend to get corroded in these cars aswell...