Rear Wheel Arches On Fiesta

[paddyk]

Hi. I've seen replacement rear wheel arch panels on e-bay for a Fiesta Mk4/5 for around £50. Wife's little runabout is a 1.8 TD (2002 reg) which we've had since nearly new and has been well maintained and looked after - it's just the rear arches that have gone (as with all these models) Pair of arches is £50 to buy - I presume you get the old ones cut out and the new ones welded on ? How many hours would a garage charge for this ? I can get the panel respray done cheap as I know someone who does it - but it's the cost of welding the new arches on - really no idea how big a job it is. It seems a shame when the rest of the car is so good as we've really looked after it (it is wife's little runabout so doesn't do much mileage) TIA

[tonyav]

If I were you I'd get some quotes from a few body shops.

[paddyk]

Hi Tony. thanks for your reply, I took it to a local bodyshop last year and they said wasn't worth respraying as it would just come thru' again and not worth putting new panels on either. But the rest of the car is really good and should last quite a while yet.The 1.8 diesel endura TD is a very tough engine. For example - I have the timing belt changed with a Gates powertrain every 5 years regardless of mileage and keep up with all the other repairs - you just can't preserve those b***** rear arches

[tonyav]

A thing you could do ( popular in the good old days of rusty cars ) is pop rivet them on over the rusty arches and then skim over the join and rivets with body filler, sand the filler down and then paint.

[TWR]

A good body shop will be able to "cut out" the old & fabricate with new, i would prefer to call you by your name??? Is this your name or am I being Touchy?