What sort of rust is okay?
Discussion
Going to view a 1995 Mk1 MX-5 this evening. It looks clean in the photographs, but the chap has noted there is some "surface rust". He hasn't had it long - claims his wife doesn't like it. No advisories on recent MOT. No advisories for corrosion other than to springs and discs in past MOTs - though wasn't MOT'd in 2017.
What I wanted to know is: what sort of rust would be a do not buy and what sort of rust would be a can live with it? Is it the case that if you can see bubbles on sills or arches it is rotten from the inside?
There are plenty of buying guides out there but most say "check here for rust" - I don't think I will find a completely rust free example at my budget (this car is 1600 quid), so I want to know what sort is okay.
Thanks
What I wanted to know is: what sort of rust would be a do not buy and what sort of rust would be a can live with it? Is it the case that if you can see bubbles on sills or arches it is rotten from the inside?
There are plenty of buying guides out there but most say "check here for rust" - I don't think I will find a completely rust free example at my budget (this car is 1600 quid), so I want to know what sort is okay.
Thanks
if there is any rust whatsoever on the rear sills, walk away...once it's visible on the outside it's pretty far gone behind the scenes.
Rust on front wings is "ok" as they are only £150 a side to replace (for the panel, ex paint)...bubbling on rear quarters will need cutting out and new metal. Same goes for bonnet, bootlid, doors, all easily replaceable from a breaker.
Ideally no rust is what you want to aim for, unless you want to spend your ownership chasing it and paying for various bodywork repairs.
Rust on front wings is "ok" as they are only £150 a side to replace (for the panel, ex paint)...bubbling on rear quarters will need cutting out and new metal. Same goes for bonnet, bootlid, doors, all easily replaceable from a breaker.
Ideally no rust is what you want to aim for, unless you want to spend your ownership chasing it and paying for various bodywork repairs.
Edited by designforlife on Wednesday 21st March 11:19
Edited by designforlife on Wednesday 21st March 11:20
designforlife said:
if there is any rust whatsoever on the rear sills, walk away...once it's visible on the outside it's pretty far gone behind the scenes.
Rust on front wings is "ok" as they are only £150 a side to replace (for the panel, ex paint)...bubbling on rear quarters will need cutting out and new metal. Same goes for bonnet, bootlid, doors, all easily replaceable from a breaker.
Ideally no rust is what you want to aim for, unless you want to spend your ownership chasing it and paying for various bodywork repairs.
Helpful as always, designforlife! The advert simply says "some surface rust". I would have expected serious rot to have at least been advised on MOTs? So really, it is sills to mainly be wary about. Just don't think at 1500 quid it is possible to find one that is completely immaculate and rust free (this is 1600 with hard top). Rust on front wings is "ok" as they are only £150 a side to replace (for the panel, ex paint)...bubbling on rear quarters will need cutting out and new metal. Same goes for bonnet, bootlid, doors, all easily replaceable from a breaker.
Ideally no rust is what you want to aim for, unless you want to spend your ownership chasing it and paying for various bodywork repairs.
Edited by Integroo on Wednesday 21st March 11:27
Edited by Integroo on Wednesday 21st March 11:27
it might be the cynic in me, but if an mx5 is advertised with "some surface rust", i'd expect it to be pretty rotten in reality.
Could be wrong of course, but i was in the mx5 scene a long time, and saw a lot of optimistic ads.
Of course, if the sills are shot you should be able to knock him down to a grand...if it's in otherwise good nick, spend that money getting the sills sorted and it should last you 2 or 3 years before they start to go again.
Could be wrong of course, but i was in the mx5 scene a long time, and saw a lot of optimistic ads.
Of course, if the sills are shot you should be able to knock him down to a grand...if it's in otherwise good nick, spend that money getting the sills sorted and it should last you 2 or 3 years before they start to go again.
Just had a look and replied, doesn't look bad at all if the sills are intact.
Having a scan through the MOT advisories, nothing unusual for an mx5 in there, all routine stuff. No mention of rust or corrosion which is promising.
Looks a decent buy depending on the state of the sills/arches/underside mate.
Mechanically nothing costs much to fix, so wouldn't worry too much as long as it drives ok.
Having a scan through the MOT advisories, nothing unusual for an mx5 in there, all routine stuff. No mention of rust or corrosion which is promising.
Looks a decent buy depending on the state of the sills/arches/underside mate.
Mechanically nothing costs much to fix, so wouldn't worry too much as long as it drives ok.
It doesn't take long to come back, i had mine done twice in my ownership, and from the looks of it they were done again by the guy who bought it off me.
An average sill repair will last 1-3 years, a good one maybe 5...it always comes back.
Water gets in there due to the design of the roof drainage...terrible design.
An average sill repair will last 1-3 years, a good one maybe 5...it always comes back.
Water gets in there due to the design of the roof drainage...terrible design.
Agreed chaps, didn't go and view in the end. Shame really, it looked tidy in the photos. Shocking how sills can be replaced and turn back to that so quickly.
TVRees said:
Anyone ever thought about filling the space inside the sills with PU foam ? 
...... Might improve rigidity as well
Fairly sure that would absorb water and make it rust much more quickly ......... Might improve rigidity as well
JimSuperSix said:
Both my mk1s looked far worse than that at times and both were repaired for about £200 and lasted years beyond that.
How long ago were those £200 repairs done, and was it just a plate welded on top or rust cut out? Those guys cutting out MX5 rust have really cashed in on rust repairs in the last couple years > £1k for inner and outer sills with part of a wheelarchGassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff