[Ghost Protocol]

So I have a handshake agreement to buy this \'06 330xi. It was a FL car that my wife\'s company owns. An exec is leaving and giving up use of it. Getting it at wholesale. Great miles. Plenty options. Deal I can\'t pass up. So this weekend we had the car transported for basically an extended test drive. Already had BMW dealership in FL give it the once over and it checks out in good condition. So, the cig lighters were not working and I checked and replaced a fuse. While doing so, I noticed that there was rust on some sort of bracket that was bracing the fuse panel. Should I be concerned about this? Does it have anything to do with proximity to the ocean? This is definitely not a flood damaged car. These folks were big fans of the beach I know that much. Sand in trunk, armrest, ashtray... Nothing that a good detail won\'t remedy though. For reference, it\'s the bracket in this picture to the left of the bundle of wires. http://www.europeanautosource.com/images/vendors/eas/vehicles/journal/eas/e92m3/ease92m300070.jpg

[Antartic]

where there is a little bit of rust, there will be a lot of rust.

[mike-y]

if it's a bracket that is not part of the main chassis and it's just a bit of surface rust, then I've seen this before on cars. it's usually a brace behind the dash. Florida is very humid, so you'll see this kind of stuff. As long as the chassis itself doesn't have rust, you should be okay.

get other parts of the chassis checked out, and make sure there isn't any serious rust. There shouldn't be, but you never know.

edit, I looked at the pic, and really don't see any rust? it must be really minimal if any. I wouldn't worry about it.

[idrift4wd]

Rust protection for 2006 and newer models.

For 2006 and newer models, we also provide a 12-year limited warranty rust perforation warranty without mileage limitation. This warranty is for defects in materials or workmanship that results in rust perforation of the vehicle body. This coverage period begins at the start of the New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty.

[JamesM3M5]

The dash support brackets are not painted, and they're merely bolted to the car. Rust on those parts is inconsequential.

[ndog14]

Originally Posted by idrift4wd

Rust protection for 2006 and newer models.

For 2006 and newer models, we also provide a 12-year limited warranty rust perforation warranty without mileage limitation. This warranty is for defects in materials or workmanship that results in rust perforation of the vehicle body. This coverage period begins at the start of the New Vehicle/SAV Limited Warranty.

The key word is limited. Until the rust creates a hole in the body or chassis it will not be covered.

[loobie]

Originally Posted by JamesM3M5

The dash support brackets are not painted, and they're merely bolted to the car. Rust on those parts is inconsequential.

and very common. I've seen it before. It would only be an issue if the car was flooded

[Syndicategt]

I'd be more concerned it's a flood damaged car you are buying. Check other areas like under the carpet in the trunk for possible debris.

[Ghost Protocol]

Hey thanks Mike. I posted a pic from a site for illustration. That's not from my car. I was posting from my iPhone and didn't see an option to upload my own pic. Yeah it's surface rust on just that support. Thanks guys for all the useful input.

[mike3000fl]

just throwing this out there... it could be a leaking windshield cowling. usually this causes the blower motor fan to rust and fail. the blower motor fan is close to the fusebox. i doubt it is this though because the water usually passes through the opening for fresh air coming from the microfilter, perhaps there is water intrusion where the wiring harness passes thru the firewall. long story short, if it rains hard, check for wet carpet in the passenger floor area.

[igell]

deal off. resale value takes a hit when/ if you try to sell the car.

[JamesM3M5]

Originally Posted by igell

deal off. resale value takes a hit when/ if you try to sell the car.

Nope, that brace rusts simply because it's unpainted/uncoated from the factory. It happens to all of them eventually, and it's merely surface rust. If you live near the ocean or in a humid climate, you may see more rust on those parts, but it's completely inconsequential to the rest of the body/chassis.