W211 wheel arch bubbling

[glenluceblue]

I have tried searching the forum but for some reason the facility won't work from my phone.
I have just found what appears to be corrosion on my front wing / wheel arch. The paint doesn't appear broken but I thought the late W211 's were aluminium wings?. I'm unsure whether to repair or replace the wing therefore any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Craiglxviii]

All steel. It will need repairing, probably best to get a local body shop to give a quote. I have the same issue on my rear wheel arches.

 

[television]

What year is the car

 

[glenluceblue]

It's a 2009 car. A magnet doesn't stick to the wings I'm pretty certain it's aluminium

 

[Frontstep]

A picture would be useful.

 

[onefortheroad]

aluminium is probably worse than steel if salt gets at it , unless its galvanised first.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

How can they galvanise aluminium ?...

 

[Craiglxviii]

How can they galvanise aluminium ?...

With EXTREME difficulty

 

[Craiglxviii]

aluminium is probably worse than steel if salt gets at it , unless its galvanised first.

Interesting isn't it. Aluminium superstructures were brought in for ships both to save topweight and reduce the amount of paint that is required due to its superior corrosion resistance. Seawater is horrid stuff when it comes to eating metals away- I've seen untreated stainless fittings dissolved literally to pieces within a year.

And yet untreated alloy on cars can bloom so fast it's unreal. I wonder if it is the much-increased usage that cars see, the very short vibration periods that score through the oxide layer vs ships, or stone chip impacts that do it? Interesting subject of study.

 

[Xtractorfan]

He said the paint wasn't broken,so rule out stone chips. Just a lack of proper preparation and metal protection. The japs were the first to realise that cars weren't meant to last forever, and that repeat business was the way forward, so cost saving on non essentials like undercoatings and paints were where money could be saved, and who would ever know or care.

 

[Xtractorfan]

As said post a picture of your 'rust' bubble and then we can decide your best way forward.

 

[onefortheroad]

How can they galvanise aluminium ?...

no idea . i just drive the thing.

 

[glenluceblue]

A picture would be useful.

I'm out and about today but will load a photo later

 

[Frontstep]

To get a good picture put your phone camera on high resolution hdr in my case and take a picture via a mirror instead of trying to get your camera in the gap between arch and wheel.

 

[glenluceblue]

I've decided to replace the wing rather than try and repair it. The wing is Aluminium and to buy a genuine replacement through the dealer is just shy of £200. I'm waiting for a quote back for painting and fitting which will cost an arm and a leg. Plenty aftermarket aluminium options but don't really trust they would fit perfectly. ECP platinum range come in at around £160 but with there regular discounts you can knock 30% off that.

 

[LostKiwi]

I spoke to my local paintshop and they rate the ECP platinum panels very highly. Apparently ECP guarantee they will fit properly with no fettling (not been able to verify that).
I'll possibly replace the front wings on my 210 at some point and will probably go that route.

 

[glenluceblue]

First attempt a posting a photo

 

[Xtractorfan]

Can I have your old wing please..I honestly cannot believe that you are replacing a panel because of that little scab of corrosion..any decent bodywork guy will be able to repair that with very little work to get it back to perfection.

 

[glenluceblue]

First attempt at posting a photo

 

[glenluceblue]

Had a W210 which was rotten and don't want to go down that route again. Love this car and can't believe this rot issue is still doing the rounds