Rain

R

Redtail

New Member
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Stumptown
Are these cars really as fragile when it comes to water as everyone suggests?

I am planning to buy an E9, but I might steer clear if it would be a bad decision. I live in Portland Oregon, and while it's dry here sometimes, it's wet here a lot too. I have a dehumidified garage but I'm sure the car will end up driving in the rain from time to time.

I currently own a 1969 Porsche 911, 1965 MGB, and 1973 BMW 2002 - none of these cars exhibit the fear of water I've heard is inherant to the E9. I've had the 2002 for a quite a few years up here, and I drive it in the wet quite often - and I don't see the start of any rust.

I've fallen in love with the E9 and I would love to add one to the stable - but my cars all work for their living. They get taken care of, but I don't think I could live with a car I can't get wet. Thanks for any advice. Cheers!
 
Personal opinion for what it's worth - avoid sunroofs. The correlation between rusted out rockers and pillars and where the plugged up drain holes are is testimony to the risks of cutting a hole in a roof and expecting it to keep the water out.
 
i live in Portland.....

Living here in PDX I could not imagine owning an e9 w/o a garage to keep it in when it rains. I hav the pleasure of driving it so little in the Winter because of the moisture. Why have a nice vintage car if you can keep it from rusting. I recomend passing on the e9 unless you can keep it dry. Unlike a 2002 where there are tons of part cars around to pick from e9's are rare so try to take the best care you can of it. I would pass on an e9 unless you can keep it dry!
Jeff in PDX
 
My previous E9 was a daily driver in London, which is arguably as wet as Portland. It was garaged at night, but was driven everyday on wet salty roads. I gave it a thorough cavity wax and underbody treatment before the wet season. Over the course of 18 months (two winters) there was only one area that needed attention, but that was a pre-existing condition that the wetness exacerbated. There was probably other unseen damage as well, but that's a cost of owning such a cool car.

My current coupe is not a daily driver, but still sees London rain. It has been waxoyled and has fibreglass front fender liners that really keep the vulnerable wheelwells clean. They don't seal the area, but keep out nearly all of the debris that gets flung by the front wheels up into the fender and A-area, which would otherwise turn to mud, retain water and blocks drainage. The liners are very easy to remove and every time I do, I find nice clean and dry wheel wells.

I know there are other Portland and wet climate people on the site, so it would be interesting to hear how they cope.
 
Just get one that's already got some rust and enjoy the crap out of it year round. When that one falls apart, use it as a parts car for the next one. I guarantee when you find one with no rust (or pay to have one de-rusted), driving it in the rain will not be an option.
 
Tyler said:
It has been waxoyled and has fibreglass front fender liners that really keep the vulnerable wheelwells clean.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion, these measures are in my plans if I do end up with an e9. Just to clarify - I have a garage and there is a vacant spot where the e9 would be stored, and there is an enclosed parking garage where I work, so the car would never be stored outside. However, I'm sure there will be times when I get caught in the rain or end up driving on wet roads. I just don't really want to buy a car that I'm afraid to use.

I guess I'm a little shocked at how fragile these cars seem to be when it comes to water. I realize there are more 2002s around than coupes, but aside from raw numbers, were there any major production differences that make one more suceptable to rust than the other? Were the cars built in the same plant using the same steel? Thanks for all the advice and information.
 
I'd say go for an E9! You can drive one of your other classics if it's a cloudy day. I also live in Portland (West Linn) and mine stays in if its wet out.

If you find one with little rust, it's just best to keep it dry. BMW subcontracted the bodies out to Karmann which provided little to no corrosion protection.

I don't know if I'd call these cars fragile, you can really push them and they won't break. Of course, I would never push mine...


Let me know if need any help with your search.
 
E-9 fragile--I don't think so--reasons follow

About 30 years ago when the BLUMAX was on the hoist for service at Schneider Motors--our first BMW MM in Orange County--I wondered aloud to Joe S. "is the Coupe a litle fragile so as I have to be gentle with it?"--he quickly responded to my naivity with the loud and clear statement then--that the Coupe was built like a Panzer tank!--That cured my concerns and now at 408,000 miles--un-restored but relentlessly maintained--BLUMAX is generously admired whenever displayed and people shake their heads in disbelief at its extraordinary condition including virtually all interior bits and pieces including carpets--the point is--PROPERLY MAINTAINED THEY ARE VERY DURABLE AND RELIABLE IN USE!!

In response to the RAIN question--I drove the BLUMAX daily for several years until I wised up to their affinity for collecting silt and converting same into hidden mud packs whenever wetted from moisture wherever the source--even in dry SoCal with fender liners--having that knowledge and the fact that the last of these beauties was built well over 30 years ago--has motivated me to become a diligent caregiver and responsible steward in the care and upkeep of my piece of mechanical art.

I'm moved to encourage--no stress preservation of the breed--I do as I say and admire the young man--our newbie in Poland who is going to preserve one as well--likewise I feel pain and cringe when I hear the statement--"just use it up and get another one"--

This type of expressed view--in my experience--represents an irresponsible expression by someone having little regard for the breed-- and an expression exemplifying one of the wasteful attitudes for which much of our US populance is accurately noted by others--and then compounded by our cavalier attitudes as a consumptive society!!

I suspect we will hear other points of view on the "right" to be wasteful members of our society! FWIW
 
Murray -- I assume part of this is directed toward my prior comment, so I'm inclined to respond. My first coupe was a $4k beater. It looked good, but had terminal rust. I thought about restoring it, but there just wasn't enough there to work with -- so I drove it, and drove it and drove it some more, until I had an unfortunate accident with it.

In searching for my second coupe, I found numerous examples in the same general condition -- rusty inner and outer rockers hidden under new rocker covers, rusty floors, rusty inner fenders, etc. They can be had for $3k on up to $8k and can make wonderful daily drivers with a little work. But I don't think they are all appropriate candidates for restoration.

So, I guess the point is that I don't agree that every single coupe is capable or worthy of saving. Thus, if someone decided they must have a coupe as a daily driver in a rainy climate, I say don't hestitate to pick up one of these already rusty cars and just drive it. I did not say to buy a very nice example and drive it into the ground, then use it as a parts car for the next one. I suggest there is a big difference. Perhaps you misunderstood.

Moreover, I find it offensive that you assume that I somehow embrace a consumptive and wasteful lifestyle merely on the basis that I suggest not every coupe is worthy of restoration. You've obviously never met me and have no idea who I am. If you did, you would understand that my appreciation of vintage automobiles extends well beyond the BMW marque and you would never stereotype me like that. Given many of your posts over the years, I'm sure there are more than a few out there who consider you a condescending, opinionated old fool. Since I've never met you, I give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are simply an experienced coupe owner trying to share his vast knowledge with some of us newcomers in the best way you know how. Perhaps you could make similar assumptions once in a while. But if not, keep throwing the stones -- but be prepared to get a few back. . . .

As for driving my current coupe in the rain -- no thanks -- not if I can avoid it.
 
Well, as much as I'd love to have a pristine, totally rust free coupe, it's probably not in the cards for my climate or my budget. I think I'll probably end up with a nice driver that presents very well but may have some issues underneath. I, for one, wouldn't mind a car with rust repairs so long as they are done properly - so I think I'll aim for that.

A well used, repaired and reliable driver that I'm not afraid to drive. Waxoyling and fender liners, plus indoor storage and caution about driving in the wet.

Cheers.
 
Rust Repair / Budget hmmm...

I guess the best middle ground is get the coupe. As with any purchase, get the best you can afford. A little while with the coupe and you'll fall in love and will do your best to not to drive it in the rain.

I can certainly see Andy's POV, and if I had BLUMAX that car would never see water, I'm currently in the middle...My coupe is a 2000 cs, 40 years old, and it has some rust issues. I ain't gonna spend the money or personal time to repair it. The cost would far far exceed what it's worth. I'm gonna drive it and enjoy it and keep it as dry as possible.
 
Good god! just buy one and drive the bloody thing! It won't dissolve before your eyes
Keeping it in a dehumidified garage will suck out any mositure in it any way.
 
kasbatts said:
Good god! just buy one and drive the bloody thing! It won't dissolve before your eyes
Keeping it in a dehumidified garage will suck out any mositure in it any way.
Click to expand...

YES!!!! That's the kind of reply I was looking for - something to give me a little confidence. Thanks man!
 
Try living in Scotland, it rains occasionally and then by the North Sea - salt all year round.
I have a couple of older cars and they get thrashed - even took my 1974 2002Tii on a classic rally the other day, not a park and shine thing but a thrash around fields, farms and wet muddy country roads
Get one, enjoy it, put a smile on your face and worry about the other stuff later
Malc
 
if you do get one with minimal rust and restore it or buy one properly restored wouldn't there be some sort of rust prevention involved? there should be some way to correct a build mistake like this, wouldn't a good paint job among other things make it more streetable?


edit: my question here is more or less can an e9 be rustproofed or made rain worthy?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top