E200 Kompressor 2001. Rust starting to show.

[Joe Cotter]

Hi There,

Rust is starting to show on wheel arches - is this worth fixing? I have had the car since new and love it.

Break pipes are also showing signs of rust.

I have no mechanical ability.

Otherwise I will drive it into the ground and buy another new car.

 

[LostKiwi]

A lot will depend on how much youre willing to spend, condition of the rest of the car, how bad the rust is and how much hidden rust there is. Front wings are easy as they bolt on. Rear arches are more problematic.

 

[GlosRichCLK]

Brake pipes are easy, jack it up, wheel off, pressure wash the wheel arch out, and when dry you can either: paint the pipes with something like hammerite, brush grease on them or waxoyl.

For the arches, I'd get some body shop quotes, for all 4 arches tidied up and sprayed, would be fairly pricey, probably between £500 - 800.

Hate to say it but... there are also some good scrappage deals out there, you can get up to £5k for a pre-2009 car, some schemes are just diesel, but a lot take petrols also, so maybe its a good time to change.

 

[Joe Cotter]

Brake pipes are easy, jack it up, wheel off, pressure wash the wheel arch out, and when dry you can either: paint the pipes with something like hammerite, brush grease on them or waxoyl.

For the arches, I'd get some body shop quotes, for all 4 arches tidied up and sprayed, would be fairly pricey, probably between £500 - 800.

Hate to say it but... there are also some good scrappage deals out there, you can get up to £5k for a pre-2009 car, some schemes are just diesel, but a lot take petrols also, so maybe its a good time to change.

Thanks for that.
The problem is that all the new cars I like are very pricey!!
My engine and gear box have had no work on them even after 135,000 miles. My fear is that I spend the money on bodywork and the engine/gearbox goes south.
I think I may take advantage of a deal.
Joe