2001 E46320D Rust issues

[Will3001]

Folks

I have a 2001 of the above, 280K miles on the clock and running well. I'm seeing some significant rust issue at the rear end, the frame where the fuel tank strap is attached is well corroded and has broken off, battery box and a few other area also suffering. I'm having a guy look at it next week and my own feeling is that IF I do anything with it it needs to be sand blasted to remove the rust and new bits fabricated. It might run to a couple of K but I feel if I could get it right it would be worth it. Getting 55mpg from it typically and would love to eek another few years from it.

Am I nuts...? Any thoughts or recommendations

Thanks
Will.

[AkumaFes]

If you like the car, most importantly it drives well, then do it. Keep the car on the road, save it from being scrapped. 55mpg is amazing compared to my 18-20mpg around the city. Keep us posted on your progress as rust affects us all at some point and your experience could help the rest of us. Good luck.

[Will3001]

Thanks, Yea, I think I'd really like to keep it, to be honest if I found someone reliable to do a full resto I'd go for it. I'd spend 20-25K on a newish car anyhow at this stage but the stuff is just not in the newer ones..

[AkumaFes]

Same. I've driven newer cars and had brand new courtesy cars too. The driving aids are more distracting than anything else. Wouldn't trade mine for a newer model now that I've got it running reliably.