So while I was changing the wheel nuts on the passenger rear wheel I thought I’d have a poke at the back edge of the sill to see if was still in one piece, and yes, found a crumbling 1cm x 1cm area that practically disintegrated….oh dear oh dear…
A bit more poking about, only with a finger mind, and you can tell the surrounding area is ready to go too….
I’ve had the car since September 2022 and it is my first 5, so I’ve no experience of taking cars to have thing like this repaired etc… so I’m after some recommendations of reputable places that I could look at taking it for a quote…
I live in Retford so anywhere within 40-50 miles would be ideal…
Any suggestions….?
JR Classics in Donny? Or do they just do rust proofing?
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Yeah I did come across them and had heard good reviews, but I think someone said they were booked up until 2024, although that was for having a full underseal…
Maybe this is a quick job they could fit in……?
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Plenty of members in your neck of the woods. Bound to be some useful recommendations coming in if there’s no immediate rush
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Anyone out there used mx5motors.com for any body work repairs, undersealing etc…?
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I used mx5motors. Then when the issue returned in 12 months I had it done properly at Deepcar Autobodies. Do it once, go and talk to Dave at Deepcar Autobodies.
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Might be a daft question, but would something like this be an MOT failure…?
It’s not due until end of May, it’s just it seems a lot of decent repairers are booked up until late 2023 or early 2024….
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Pictures of the offending area would help.
Having said this though sometimes once an area has started to corrode an MOT inspection will most likely reveal more than you’ve noticed. It’s all about where the corrosion is too, near the box sections, sills, chassis box sections or within a certain distance from seat belt anchorage points. Depending on if it’s classed as an advisory, rusty or holed then it could turn into a fail.
I had a Mk1 which had a small hole on the chassis rail near the front. Mot inspector said I’m not going to even advise it but i would advise you verbally it’s there and get it cleaned up and patch welded. That was around 12 years ago.
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This is what I’ve got at the moment.
It does feel quite brittle around it and I reckon it could easily be made in to a fist sized hole… checked drivers side and that is still solid…
Have a look behind that arch liner you’ll find a plastic insert, the rust can start there too and spread. The visible (usually rusty) screw that passes through the arch liner goes into that plastic insert.
Also look behind that rusty panel from under the car, all the muck from the wheel gets thrown up to there and rust creeps behind that bit, second picture down. First picture down is mine recently undersealed, I’ve treated the rusty parts too.
Hi Mick, decided I’d have a go removing the arch liner to see how bad it really is, but the bottom screw is just spinning. Feels like it’s loosening then starts to feel tight again… did you have any issues getting that out on yours…?
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Yes they seize up.
Get a flat blade behind the liner (you can lift it up) and ease the plastic plug/insert out.
I just tugged at the liner and thd whole thing popped out. You can then get a grip on the plastic insert and undue the screw.
thanks
I took mine to Thrussington, which is near Leicester (so A1 and then A46 from Retford) on the basis of the good reports about them I’ve seen on here. As a guess you’re looking at £600 / £800 a side for rear sills depending on how bad they are. If it’s an NB (Mk2) your chassis rails need checking as well, which Thrussington will do while they’re looking at it on ramps as part of their assessment, circa aother £800 if required.
Thrussingtons is a bit further than I really want to travel, but will see. Found a local place that do classic car restoration etc who are going to have a look on Monday and also heard back from JR Classics, who I know have done good work for other members, so trying to arrange to get over to them to have a look also.
Just had a look at the drivers side and it looks alright to my eyes for a 12 year old car. Looks to be just surface rust and if all feels solid enough and stood up to a good poke with a screwdriver…(pic 1) underside of the sill end, looking back towards the wheel arch looks in good condition too, but again I’m no expert…(pic 2)
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JR Classics is a brilliant place and they really know their cars.
Mine was done by them last month.
They also keep you updated of progress and give you loads of photographs and paperwork, for the work undertaken.
Joe, the owner, will talk you through all of the options available to you when they have assessed your vehicle and there is no pressure from to have anything done that you do not agree to👍
Mine was very holy on end plates and also underneath on BOTH sides.
Cost £300 to be properly cut out, rust treated, patches welded in place, chasis and area sprayed internally with fluid stuff and undersealed by an MX5 guru who kept sending me video updates.
Cheap and excellent guy who cares, does a propoer job BUT doesn’t charge an arm and a leg to do the work.
Just has rear passenger wheel off for a better look. Reckon an area 6cm x 6cm is completely gone, from the hole down really, just held together by the underseal…
Everywhere else looks alright even the underside… but I’m preparing myself for them finding something else once it’s up on a loft and they start digging around… fingers crossed everywhere else is just surface crud….
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Have a word with these guys in Ilkeston- https://spa-servicing-repairs-ltd.business.site/
You’ll most likely find it has progressed a way further, by the time the parent metal is good enough to weld on to.