Thief and repair advice for e46 Coupe

SpeedFreak · 26 Apr 2012 at 12:03

Although not my car, I've been helping my brother with an issue he had last week. Hes has an e46 330cd and a thief decided that they really wanted his lip spoiler. What amounted to theft of a relatively cheap part has resulted in about seven screwdriver width gouges and dents across the back of his boot lid

I have sourced a colour matched replacement for him and plan to fit it soon. We're hoping that the spoiler will result in the dents being fully covered as a replacement boot is £400 plus VAT and fitting.

There is no rust yet on the exposed metal so I was after some advice on how to treat the area to ensure that none occurs in future. We don't want to fit the part only to see rust bubbles creep through in a few months.

I'm a bit annoyed for my brother as he's owned the car from new and bar some minor swirl marks it was in fantastic condition for an eight year old car. All this damage just so some scumbag can stick a now probably damaged spoiler (which can be bought for £50) on his 318i with chavved up rims :mad:

SpeedFreak · 27 Apr 2012 at 08:56

Sorry to give this a bit of a bump but I was hoping someone would have some input. We're planning to fit the spoiler tonight and I just wanted a suggestion on how best to prepare the damaged metal.

NightShadow · 27 Apr 2012 at 09:00

If the spoiler covers the damage then I would just look at putting some paint over and exposed metal, get a paint touch up kit from somewhere like Halfords.

SpeedFreak · 27 Apr 2012 at 09:28

Do you think any form of preventative rust treatment would be required? The metal has been exposed for four days now but there is no rust yet.

rodenal · 27 Apr 2012 at 10:04

If the area will be covered by the spoiler then there would be no harm in rubbing back the exposed metal areas then coating in the likes of hammerite - if you wanted to tidy it up a bit more you could put down some primer/top coat/lacquer from rattle cans too - obviously it wont match very well and you dont want to spend a lot of time on it, but if the spoiler ever comes back off it will be a bit neater

Cristian · 27 Apr 2012 at 22:23

^this.
In case the spoiler doesn't cover the marks then don't be silly enough to buy a new boot.

Look around on ebay with a bit of luck you'll find one in the same colour which should set you back around £100- £150 tops.

SpeedFreak · 27 Apr 2012 at 22:57

Cristian said:
^this.
In case the spoiler doesn't cover the marks then don't be silly enough to buy a new boot.

Look around on ebay with a bit of luck you'll find one in the same colour which should set you back around £100- £150 tops.

Thanks for the input guys. We're going to tackle it tomorrow as the weather was rubbish today. I'll check out ebay as well for the boot if needed.