X5 E53 roof rust.. not painted from the factory?
 

So today I decided to fit the Kuat Vagabond roof rack (that I randomly swapped something for on Facebook market place, about a year ago) to my 2001 X5 - and saw for the first time that the vertical area at the rear of the roof panel, that is normally hidden by the top of the tailgate, has started to rust. In fact closer inspection makes it look like it was never painted properly from day one..

Anyone else noticed this on early X5s? (Mine was built in late 2000)

Oh that sucks! Does almost look like it wasn’t painted, that’s kind of crazy... I just checked mine to be sure and I can confirm mine is clean and shiny - thank goodness!

Thoughts on fixing that?


Sent from my iPhone using Xoutpost.com

Well, obviously to do it even speaking properly, the tailgate would have to come off. But I worry that I’ll mess the alignment up when I refit it.

So i think I’ll just try and lightly sand the rust where I can get access and brush paint on some “miracle” rust preventing paint like POR-15 where I can get access.

Whilst the car is mechanically well maintained, and I want to prevent the rust taking hold, I have to try and be sensible about what time and money I invest in a 20 year old 150k mile SUV with peeling lacquer and interior trim that is staring to fall apart..

I'm a por-15 fan. Wish they have one in an aerosol can.

That might have been a left over repair. Doubt if the robots on the assembly will miss that. They don't take smoke breaks or bathroom breaks.

:iagree:That looks like some type of sanded down bondo, which is not used at the factory.