OK, I have a '99 X3 ... the rust cancer has hit it, I'm wondering if I should just let it die a nasty rusty death, or try to fix it (latest quote was $2000 CDN to repaint)
For that price, I could buy a whole other car.
Also, I need to finish my exhaust system, all four struts need replacing, and a bunch of little things need fixed ...

So, let it die? or fix it?

 

Well, cure the paint issue by painting it yourself. It's really not that bad, I just repainted the front end of my Accent tonight in my garage. smile.gif

But if you're not into that then maybe it's time to move on.

 

I have thought of that, but there's the surface and under rust to deal with. sad.gif
in the rear wheel wells, where the bumper joins the metal body, it's rusting badly ... there's not much holding the bumper there.
ah well, maybe it'll turn into another Bondo-Mobile smile.gif

 

Ive tried fixing rust with bondo. And no matter how much I sand it and I think there is no more rust; it always works its way through the bondo. I really suck at sanding and doing body work. So I suggest you try it instead of letting your car rot.
Maybe it will work out.

 

If it's rusted through it's probably not worth saving, but if you get in there and sand off all the loose rust and spray on a good rust inhibitor then do bodywork over that you might be able to save it without too much work.

 

Sorry to hear about such a deadly disease getting your ride Comfort.gif .If you have holes of rust, you may want to think of fiber glassing it if you have a little bit of experience. Some pictures may better help up understand how far the body is gone.
And like mentioned, for 2 grand you can buy everything you need to paint and pay to have someone teach you the basics.

 

I've heard POR15 works well to kill rust, it's a tad bit on the expensive side though...

http://www.por15.com/

 

That is expensive, but if it works it would be worth it.

 

Eh.. drive it untill major parts start falling off.... cool.gif

You could replace the body panels, I mean... If you really want experience with body work. Head to a junk yard with your car in it and a battery sawsall and a bunch of blades and cut out the panels you need, cut out the bad on your car, and replace with the good form the donor, weld and bondo them on to your car, and paint! Done! Woo!

Or just drive it untill major parts fall off...

 

New Update:
I just broke the timing belt at highway speed.
Damage done: all 4 exhaust valves and 3 intake valves are bent. Piston heads are dented in from the exhaust valves.
Pistons are not punctured or damaged enought to get to the rings or even score the cylinder walls.
IS it <u>WORTH</u> fixing, or should I pull my add-on stuff off and send it to the wreckers?

Sigh ... what a PITA ... I like my car sad.gif