Posted by Luis Cordero on December 30, 1999 at 16:08:59:
In Reply to: Rust!!!!!! posted by Todd R on December 30, 1999 at 12:32:37:
: Alright fivers this is the million dollar question. My floor pan in front of passenger side rear seat rusted out! I heard something creaking in the back and when I stepped into the back I felt the floor pan give way. Anyone have a new one welded into place? what is this going to cost me and is it worth it or should I give my baby up? ToddR 80 528i
Todd,
It's kinda odd to hear this happens on E12's but I guess their not exempt from rust on such areas. This is common on other German cars (i.e. VW beetles)due to the positioning of the battery. They corrode causing this major headache. I will think that your car has spent quite some time in the snow to have it there... but anyhow.
Here's my 2 cents from my experience with the above mentioned cars. Because that's a common problem they sell kits for those, I haven't heard about kits (floor pans for E12's), but you could buy a piece of sheet metal (don't know what gauge though) and have it welded. I will depend on the size of the hole to determine the size of the piece you need to buy. The second part is who will do it for you?
The area where the 'final drive unit' (aka differential) mount on my E12 was all rusted. I had it nicely fixed through a muffler shop. They have the experience with the torch and welding, so just a matter finding a shop willing to do it for you. I paid $75 for the fix, and this is a very painful area to work at. Unless the diff is removed and considering the gas tank is right there. The area you mentioned has a little more clearance, so that should give you a guideline how much this could cost.
Hope this helps. TRY IT, Don't give up on your FIVE.