Why I didn't want to remove my plastic arches......

[madmanmart]

I remember when I rang up about your car when it was for sale, it sounded rough on the phone.....

Personally I would scrap that and start again, even being a 16v Anni it won't make it worth more when fixed .

Shame but with the ammount of mk3s ive broke up, that looks like a bad one rust wise.

[mrsaunders]

its just surface rust don't worry 

Haha..yeah....thats rot....plain and simple.

Yeah I know, exactly the reason I never removed mine, was scared of what I'd find

[Callum_K]

Why are people saying to scrap it? Rotten arches are not a structural issue or an MOT failure. If the sills are solid like you say, stick the trims back on for the moment to hide the worst and get it sorted when you can afford it.

[Gti_Jamo]

Also take rear interior panels off as you can see right in there down to the sill and will give you a better idea of whats rotting. Inspect the whole car before deciding what to do.

[Leroy]

Cheers for all your input guys, much appreciated. Murraymint, thanks for the arch mate, ive pm'ed you. Thats the great thing about this forum apart from the sarcasm (which is funny as hell) everyone is prepared to help each other out, even giving parts away to help another member out!

What im intending to do is like you've said, strip off all the plastics and bumpers at the body shop, have a chat with them and talk realistically how much it will cost to sort, if it silly money i'll admit defeat and not get the work done, but as Callum said i can always stick the plastic arches back on and noone will be any wiser, i can drive it round for years yet and break it when it finally dies.

Hopefully if the price isn't ridiculous and they are willing to take the job on, i'll be doing a bit at a time, and restore it over time rather than in one big go. it will mean the car will have patches of primer on for a while or i can get it blasted in black so it doesn't stand out and then once the cutting and welding are done i'll get it fully resprayed properly. By then it might be worth someat!!! 

I've no doubt 10years ago the mk1 boys were having the same discussions whether to save and restore or scrap it, and look at how much they go for now! The rate these rust and how much they are worth now (i.e pittence) loads will be broken and as the supply gets lower, demand increases.

[Gavv8]

Your certainly brave, be interesting to see how you get on and it'll be a masterclass if you pull it off..

[murraymint]

Naaa it's easy! I'd rather do metal work then engine work. But that just my trade

[arran.concept]

Hey I'm on the exactly the same boat as you the fact mines isn't an "Anni" but infact a colour concept spec model, is making me hesitate getting the major repair works done to mine. When I asked my local body shop about doing the smaller repair panels they were urging me to get the whole rear quarters done to be safe I have my car totally stripped down ready to go into body shop just need to get auto glass to come remove my all my windows except doors obv ... For new floor pan, 2 sills, 2 full rear quarters and a respray they quoted me just under 2K !!! Don't know why Im even considering it tbh :/ maybe just cos I've had it for a few years now.


Helpppppppppp

[Foreveryoungaus16v]

I would not bother. Just get another car

[VW BUSH]

2k will buy you a show pony with no rust and a 1.8t already fitted....