About To Purchase C34 But Paranoid About Rust

[funkybits]

Howdy all,

I've been lurking a while and have been absorbing in all the great info on this site.

I inspected an 98 S2 RS4 today and would like to make a serious offer, BUT I'm mega paranoid about the dreaded rust under the exterior mirrors that seems to be so prevalent!

I could find no visual rust in the locations mentioned in the buyers guide (ie Strut Towers, Under the Wing Mirrors, Sun Roof Rails) BUT the interior chrome luggage hooks at the rear of the cargo area are a bit rusted as are the small clips that appear to assist hold the front spoiler (under the radiator). This makes me think there could be a hidden suprise waiting under the wing mirrors

Of greater concern is that this vehicle has different coloured reverse lights (one clear, on red) and I read a recent post that this was a trait of Japanese car from snowy regions, which I gather is not good re rust.

The dealer said they don't buy cars from North Japan (or was that only buy from the North).

Can anyone please confirm whether the different rear lenses is definitive re the car being from a rust prone area of the Land of the Rising Sun?

It really did look very rust free underneath etc, so should I be concerned or am I getting too paranoid in my old age

Cheers with Beers

Rust Hater

Edited January 30, 2010 by funkybits

[Mr_RS4]

From what you've said it sounds like it should be fine. I also have a small amount of surface rust on the luggage clips in the back. When I first got my car 4 years ago there were no signs of rust but it did develop in the mirrors at a later stage like many c34's will even if it isn't now. Don't let it put you off an othwise tidy car and the fix isn't that expensive anyway. Only way to bee 100% sure on any C34 is to pull the mirrors off and I don't think too many people would be happy to do that

[floody]

Frankly rust under the mirrors is probably the cheapest and easiest rectified issue you will find on C34 stageas.

I'd be much more concerned about the mechanical side of things.

And LOL! EVERY dealer buys EVERY car from city areas/southern Japan....Nobody ever buys from mountains/north....haha. Don't believe their bullshit believe what you see. Go off the car, not their stories.

Edited January 30, 2010 by floody

[funkybits]

Cheers heaps for the replies guys as has reasured me somewhat & yep make sense to take the car at face value

Sounds like first thing to do if I purchase is to take the door trims off and treat whatever rust is already there.

[pipster11]

Cheers heaps for the replies guys as has reasured me somewhat & yep make sense to take the car at face value

Sounds like first thing to do if I purchase is to take the door trims off and treat whatever rust is already there.

take it to an ultratune b4 you buy the car and get them to do a full inspection, only costs about $100 but then they will give you a big list of whats wrong with the car

[kidafa]

take it to an ultratune

You DIDNT just say that....

[pipster11]

well i suppose for an import they aren't the best choice but there are a lot around

i know a guy who runs one up on the gold coast near me and he knows a fair bit about imports, just comes down to whos running it

maybe take it to an import specialist and get them to look at it

[dirtyRS4]

You DIDNT just say that....

Im staying out of this one.

If the rust is too bad dont buy it, you can be guaranteed that there is alot of rust on the undercarriage etc.

Also have a look around the brakes and hubs I have had a mate that had his wheel studs sheer straight off because of excess rust.

True story.

Edited January 31, 2010 by dirtyRS4

[260tech]

Cheers heaps for the replies guys as has reasured me somewhat & yep make sense to take the car at face value

Sounds like first thing to do if I purchase is to take the door trims off and treat whatever rust is already there.

There seem to be quite a few Wagons come up for sale lately, if you have any doubts just keep looking until you find something you can be comfortable with.

And........the worst common areas I have seen for rust on these cars is around the front strut turrets. So, if it looks like repair or patch/respray work has been done in that area I would give it a miss. No hesitation.

My 2c

GW

[leetom]

why not look locally for one thats been lovingly looked after and with tastefull mods, cause when you get the car it will be probably be std and you will want to chuck thousands at it,and one red light is a fog light and i'd rather buy a car thats had fresh water over it rather than salt

ps little plug for local cars i might sell mine.

[darrinspencer]

I just replaced my rear cradle and spent endless days cleaning, rust treatment and painting the rear end on the underside of mine.

Nissan was fairly good with sealing and putting underbody sealant from the front to the back end of the drive train tunnel, but around under the spare wheel is pretty poor.

The doors are easily fixed or replaced, but the body is the main concern. It is probably safe to say 70-80% of C34's have door rust. Most people just have not had a look yet to realise.

I would also check out local cars, as better bargins can be had and you can inspect them, even if you have to ship them from one side of OZ the the other

Sell you mine for $40K

[QWK32]

Sell you mine for $40K

You DIDNT just say that....