Subframe Rust

KiwiRD · 04-11-2016, 03:50 PM

Hey guys,

I was having a nosey under the rear of the car last night with a flashlight, just to check everything looked okay, and noticed a few areas of surface rust on the back side of the rear subframe. The main spots are on the subframe itself just above / around where the main rear aluminium arm bolts to the subframe, and are around the size of a 1 pound coin. It wasn't deep rust - more just flaky surface rust, where if you scraped with a screwdriver flat-head you'd get a paper thin flake fall off (sorry that's the best description I can think of!). There are also a couple of other small spots on the seam welds in the same area.

I purchased the car in 2013 and it has since spent its life in NZ where we don't salt our roads. I'm guessing the 6 years in the UK has meant it was exposed to salt. I can't see a spot of rust anywhere else on the car.

Do you guys have the same issue, and is this an issue that needs attention?

Phil325i · 04-11-2016, 05:24 PM

An annual brush with Waxoyl or equivalent will keep any surface rust like this at bay.

Aragorn30d · 04-12-2016, 04:25 AM

heh, you'd be horrified to look under a 9 year old UK car :P

Heres someone selling a subframe on ebay, which is likely what you'd find under most UK cars that have done decent mileage:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-1-3-SE...gAAOSwGYVW89jH

KiwiRD · 04-12-2016, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn30d

heh, you'd be horrified to look under a 9 year old UK car :P

Heres someone selling a subframe on ebay, which is likely what you'd find under most UK cars that have done decent mileage:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-1-3-SE...gAAOSwGYVW89jH

I guess since whoever buys that will clean it up and powdercoat it? Otherwise that's a pretty sobering amount of rust.

Phil325i · 04-12-2016, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiwiRD

that's a pretty sobering amount of rust.

But as I said in post #2, it doesn't have to be like that...

KiwiRD · 04-12-2016, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

But as I said in post #2, it doesn't have to be like that...

Indeed. I think I'll get mine up on axle stands in the next few weeks and apply some rust treatment and inhibitor.

04-11-2016, 03:50 PM	#1
KiwiRD Captain 152 Rep 645 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Auckland, New Zealand iTrader: (0)	Subframe Rust Hey guys, I was having a nosey under the rear of the car last night with a flashlight, just to check everything looked okay, and noticed a few areas of surface rust on the back side of the rear subframe. The main spots are on the subframe itself just above / around where the main rear aluminium arm bolts to the subframe, and are around the size of a 1 pound coin. It wasn't deep rust - more just flaky surface rust, where if you scraped with a screwdriver flat-head you'd get a paper thin flake fall off (sorry that's the best description I can think of!). There are also a couple of other small spots on the seam welds in the same area. I purchased the car in 2013 and it has since spent its life in NZ where we don't salt our roads. I'm guessing the 6 years in the UK has meant it was exposed to salt. I can't see a spot of rust anywhere else on the car. Do you guys have the same issue, and is this an issue that needs attention?
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04-11-2016, 05:24 PM	#2
Phil325i Brigadier General 616 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	An annual brush with Waxoyl or equivalent will keep any surface rust like this at bay. __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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04-12-2016, 04:25 AM	#3
Aragorn30d Lieutenant Colonel 175 Rep 1,596 Posts Drives: E90 330d Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Fife iTrader: (0)	heh, you'd be horrified to look under a 9 year old UK car :P Heres someone selling a subframe on ebay, which is likely what you'd find under most UK cars that have done decent mileage: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-1-3-SE...gAAOSwGYVW89jH
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