Hi All
Not often I look under the RRS but I was stunned at the weekend when I took a look and saw Rust, Rust and even more Rust.
Its only 18 months old, I immedately took a look under my older BMW 320 to find no Rust in sight.
Is this normal?
I cant believe a quality machine like the RRS that is designed to be treated rough underneath looks so crap after just 18 months.
Its never even been off road!!!

What do you guys think?


My RRS


My BMW 320D

[/img] TDV6 HSE 2.7 07MY Java Black, Ivory Leather Ebony Dash, Privacy Glass, 20" 10 spoke alloys, Sunroof, Carstylingstudio Java/Chrome Grill set, Exhaust Tips by mjlperformance, Side Steps, Clear side repeaters, Mud flaps and Land Rover dust caps.

BMW 320D as the daily runaround

I put the Stormers on my RRS last week & was quite surprised by the amount of rust on & around the brakes. Also some of the wheel nuts had some corrosion on them too.

Don’t remember that being the case on my previous (’06) Sport though  ’08 RRS SE TDV6 – Java - Alpacca - Zebrano –
Colour Coded HST Grille & SC Side Vents – Smoked Side Indicators – Black LR Badges – RRSport.co.uk Sticker - Tasmod Sills - Stormers

I am not sure how to read the lack of response to my post.
Can it be that my RRS Rust is normal??

It would bother me about buying another even though I am in love with this.

They say Love is Blind but I cant help thinking about it being only skin deep! TDV6 HSE 2.7 07MY Java Black, Ivory Leather Ebony Dash, Privacy Glass, 20" 10 spoke alloys, Sunroof, Carstylingstudio Java/Chrome Grill set, Exhaust Tips by mjlperformance, Side Steps, Clear side repeaters, Mud flaps and Land Rover dust caps.

BMW 320D as the daily runaround

As with Rupert, the wheel hubs on ours look rusty but surface rust only (I hope!)

Not really had a look underneath but will do and report back  06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods, Black Badge Soon...

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I think it's normal but that doesn't make it acceptable. It has been discussed before. RRS 2.7 TDV6 HSE Zambezi silver,Alpaca.
On Order - LRX expected 2010
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As an engineer I would say that the BMW is likely to have alloy diff castings hence no rust but the RRS probably has cast iron instead which is obviously going to rust. Nothing to worry about though - that housing is so thick the rest of the car will be iron oxide before it gives a problem

The exhausts can always rust as they expand and contract a lot as well as the condensation issues, again not really an issue but I guess the bmw might have slightly superior steel in the exhausts?

Has that BMW been driven in the same conditions as your RRS? I'm thinking of road salt during the winter etc?

It looks remarkably clean from underneath - especially the exhaust!

It's all surface rust that's probably harmless but the RRS does have corrosion warranty and you could ask your dealer about it.

also, just some thoughts, but are the BMW components using old part pre 'End of Life Directive'? Hex Chromium IV was used heavily in the past and gives great corrosion protection, wheres the forced replacements (Tri Chromium) isn't so good (or wasn't so good a few years ago when I was involved)

Kaine

Thanks all, I feel a little better now and will probably try to resist looking underneath in future.
To answer the question, the BMW has done 38000 and is 22 months old, the RRS has only done 10000 miles and is 19 months old and has never been off road. TDV6 HSE 2.7 07MY Java Black, Ivory Leather Ebony Dash, Privacy Glass, 20" 10 spoke alloys, Sunroof, Carstylingstudio Java/Chrome Grill set, Exhaust Tips by mjlperformance, Side Steps, Clear side repeaters, Mud flaps and Land Rover dust caps.

BMW 320D as the daily runaround

One other thing to mention - sometimes cars sit around for a LONG time (I mean over a year) in holding compounds post manufacture. I don't know if this could be the case on your RRS? If it's been sat there in the open for twelve months then that might have some bearing on rusting rates of the castings I suppose.

Your BMW is in astonishing condition for 38k, BTW!