2002 530i (e39) - Rocker panel covers and side skirt apostasy

[IcePlanter]

It's been a while since I posted. The passenger side rocker panel on my 2002 530i is rusted through and looks horrendous. With 230,000 miles on this rig I'm not willing to spend a couple thousand to have a body shop remove then weld on and paint new steel rocker panels. Nor am I willing to betray all I hold dear about not murdering out street BMWs with ludicrous wings, skirts, dams, splitters, etc.

So - Can anyone recommend simple covers or low-key side skirts to go over my existing rockers then painted to match (silver)?

Yeah, yeah, I know it's apostasy () on this forum to suggest a quick fix and eternal damnation () to suggest covering up a problem on a bimmer, but a couple links to US vendors of solutions would be most appreciated.

Press on regardless,
Ice Planter

[ross1]

Maybe not a couple thou to have it patched. At least you'll have a place to jack from.
I don't know of any applied rocker trims that won't make you look like a teenager with his first car.

[JimLev]

Not an easy fix, never seen a cover. It probably won’t look that good.
Have you looked at the jack pads? Are rusted out?

[IcePlanter]

Maybe not a couple thou to have it patched. At least you'll have a place to jack from.
I don't know of any applied rocker trims that won't make you look like a teenager with his first car.

Thanks ross1, the rust is in the middle of the panel on the outside, right under the passenger door, so I might still have access to the jack pad. I'm with you on not looking like a 17 year old trying to solve nonexistent aerodynamic problems.

[IcePlanter]

Hi JimLev, both right side jack pads are fine, it's just the rust on the exterior of the panel. I'm thinking maybe just repair rust and hope it lasts a year or so.rusted panel.jpg

[taz.]

That is just surface rust. Hopefully.
Mark a square 5 cm around the area, sand down the rust, treat it, fill it, prep it, prime it, and go to a paint shop for a color matching spray can and a 2k clear coat can. Spray, and you'll get another 100k miles from it.

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[Yonkers320is]

That is just surface rust. Hopefully.
Mark a square 5 cm around the area, sand down the rust, treat it, fill it, prep it, prime it, and go to a paint shop for a color matching spray can and a 2k clear coat can. Spray, and you'll get another 100k miles from it.

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Yep, like taz said, just sand it bare, prime it and paint it. Doesnt look that bad.

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[JimLev]

Hi JimLev, both right side jack pads are fine, it's just the rust on the exterior of the panel. I'm thinking maybe just repair rust and hope it lasts a year or so.rusted panel.jpg

That doesn’t look too bad.I was envisioning many feet of Swiss cheese.
Keep chipping away the paint until you get to good metal.
If it was my car I’d then sandblast the rust, then use something like POR15 to prevent rust from returning.
You’ll need to use a little body filler to smooth out the surface, prime, paint with the base color, then spray on some clear.

[ross1]

An old chip that was neglected. Looks like its been festering for a while so don't be surprised to find a hole there under the bubble. No sweat to dummy that up and refinish. Its down low so even if a DIY job shouldn't be too noticeable.
What color silver do you have? I bought custom color match Titanium Silver 354 in rattle cans for my wife's old car to touch up some spots. Car is gone so no more use for it. PM if can use this color.