General Body Side Frame Question

[X5only]

Not for an X5, but for my beloved E92 335i Cavity shielding, side frame. Anyone with metallurgy information if this part can be fixed? Can the shape be restored or should I be looking at finding a salvage car and have the good part cut off, cut off the bad part on the car and weld good section to the car? As you can see that section highlighted is one large part spanning the whole the side of the vehicle body.

Thanks for any pointers.

[andrewwynn]

I watched a fantastic YouTube video where the guy specializes in restoring crashed cars. He was doing a porche with a nearly identical damage.

In that case the part was seamed a little before the firewall and was glued by the factory.

If i was working on restoring your car, i would buy a cut off piece and fabricate a splice and use the same type of epoxy that porche uses to glue the front of their frame on. Would involve fabricating an inner tube that's close enough to fit with epoxy.

[X5only]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

I watched a fantastic YouTube video where the guy specializes in restoring crashed cars. He was doing a porche with a nearly identical damage.

In that case the part was seamed a little before the firewall and was glued by the factory.

If i was working on restoring your car, i would buy a cut off piece and fabricate a splice and use the same type of epoxy that porche uses to glue the front of their frame on. Would involve fabricating an inner tube that's close enough to fit with epoxy.

Thank you, Andrew that makes feel better. Please post a link to the Porche restoration.

Thanks!

[andrewwynn]

Couldn't find the porche (which was only glue) but here's a similar repair on BMW M5.

Look at about 51 min. in.

https://youtu.be/UePhHI1vTsY?si=450aaW71FUUjQGeM

Bunch of glue and then sealant over the seams. This one also includes spot weld.

That part seems to just hold body panels etc no suspension parts I would have zero issues with a tubular sleeve epoxy fix. (or similar with welding).

[X5only]

Thanks for the video. Shows how bonded and rivetted parts can be separated. Found out the part is sold separately.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/41217168979/

[andrewwynn]

Wow that's perfect! Exactly like the video.

[X5only]

Found BMW TIS correct procedure for repair. Much, much less daunting as BMW mandates that the damaged part be cut off rather than replacing the entire panel. Cut off the removed part from the new part and bond + rivet the new while also using a reinforcement plate from the new part. This to maintain the intended structural integrity as welding heat would actually weaken the rest of the panels.

Note: This is applicable to the X5 as well per TIS.