Rust question
 

Thinking about buying a very clean 4.8is but this pic from underneath the car has me worried. BMW did an inspection and has said that "small amount of surface rust on none painted areas is normal".
What you guys think? Any help is appreciated.

My 10 yr old X doesn't have that, or any other rust that I can find, except some on the exposed wheel hub cones. Maybe not a big deal, but some xperts here may have a better opin. My guess is road salt from a tough winter(s), or someone splashed through the surf. GL, mD

:iagree:

One of the reasons I would never buy a used car that's been driven in the North. There's probably going to be more of it pop up in the future as it might not show right away. My $.02.

If there is rust where you can see it, there will surely be hidden rust elsewhere.

But that picture bothers me... those ARE 'painted' parts and hence the BMW tech saying "rust on non-painted surfaces is normal" seems odd. It is a way to say something true, but not really answer the question.

"Why is that rust there? How did the paint come off that?"

Here is a picture of a car with 200k miles:

Rear differential bushing replacement

I don't think that is a painted part but yes it surely bothers me too.
Having said that, there is no way you can compare a California car to a car from NE that has seen winter conditions and salt.

That absolutely IS "painted"...it is painted black, you can see the paint.

The paint is not like the polished clearcoat of the body panels, but the entire undercarriage should be coated with a rust inhibiting paint. Only when the paint has been scrapped off will it rust.

IMO

If you have any interest in a black 2006 4.8is with just 8200 miles, I will be selling mine before the end of the year. Mint condition and I have a Fidelity Platinum warranty. All paper work including window sticker. Car is from San Diego and I brought it to NJ two years ago. Good luck either way.

Bruce

I have rust on the same spot as you do and I think is it normal. I had my truck for 6 years, since new and I haven't had any water problem. I will try to use a wire brush, clean up the area and apply some paint to it. That is the only place that I can see any rush.

spay on some waxoyl every year to kill rust and protect the metal
or wire brush to clean then paint on kurust then paint then waxoyl