Project: Find me a BMW 2002

[The Monster]

By hopefully buying this on Sunday.









Description:

This is a 1973 BMW 2002, 4 speed stick shift, original Agave green paint, sunroof, round tail lights, vintage bumpers, and Panasport-type rims. The registration is current, title is clean, and the car is smog exempt.

Interior: Kenwood deck w/ detachable faceplate, AM/FM/CD, Sirius ready. It has a 320is steering wheel, black seats & tan interior. The heater does not work.

Exterior: The usual dents & scratches. There is some rust below the rear windshield area, trunk lid, and hood. The rocker panel, floor panel, shock towers,and spare wheel well are all ok.

Engine: 2.0L/4 cylinder w/ a 32/36 Weber Carb, rebuilt starter. The previous owner exchanged the engine, and the mileage is unknown because the odometer is stuck. There's some leak around the dipstick area and smokes on start-up. Recent Compression test by my mechanic: Cyl#1=160 psi Cyl#2=160 psi Cyl#3=160 psi Cyl#4=150 psi.

Recent oil change & tune up using a Pertronix tune up kit from Top-End Performance (1847V Pertronix, wire, plugs, cap, rotor, and red coil). The distributor was also changed to a tii mechanical advance. Drives nicely.

It's only $3000 and a California car, so if the rust isn't tragic, I'm going for it.

[HeyChris]

Pulling the trigger already? No under the hood pics?

Don't forget to look in the 'normal' spots for cancer.

[The Monster]

Only pulling the trigger if the engine and rust check out

[Mo Pho]

Could be fun for $3k...

[SJMorgan]

Originally Posted by Mo Pho

Could be fun for $3k...

Well, at least park it in a closed garage, late at night, as listen to it.

You can HEAR it rust.

The Germans invented Rust. The Italians licensed the patent.

Best check this one fully underneath. Take a sharp instrument to do some poking around.

If it was a CA or AZ car, it might be OK.

Good Luck!

[The Monster]

Thanks for the words of encouragement, captain sunshine

[SJMorgan]

Originally Posted by The Monster

Thanks for the words of encouragement, captain sunshine

My Alfa Berlina made it through 36 years without rust before I sold it.

But then, it was stored in a climate controlled environment.

[Mo Pho]

Is it sunday yet?

[Mo Pho]

...And.....?

[The Monster]

Tragic

The rust below the rear window was pretty terrible, it also looked as if there had been a poorly repaired accident on the right side, nothing fit very well on that door, especially the wing window.

The transmission was sloppier than a hooker in Tijuana. You had to approximate where the gears were. And there was definitely something wrong with the motor, it had almost NO power, like slower than my scooter. And it made a horrible noise under load, yet it couldn't get out of it's own way.

I'm sure someone will buy it and make it a decent project, but I was afraid it wouldn't make it back to San Francisco from Santa Cruz.

I'm thinking that there's no way I'm going to get decent 2002 for less than $8000

But I did find this!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TQ:MOTORS:1123

[Mo Pho]

That's pretty neat and it has more room too.

There can be expensive issues with those cars though, and that is a lot of miles. But at that current price, you could do an engine swap

[The Monster]

Turns out the dude won't sell it for less than $6K, the whole "no reserve" thing is bullshit

[SJMorgan]

Originally Posted by The Monster

Turns out the dude won't sell it for less than $6K, the whole "no reserve" thing is bullshit

I guess I was right about the rust, and the typical 2002.

I had a 535i when it was new. Nice car, but expensive to maintain once it ages. I leased mine, kept it for 3 years, so my costs were minimal. The only option I ordered was an LSD. Wonderful car for the brief time I had it. I traded it for a 300 E when the doors started to get loose at the end of the lease. The 300E never got loose at all. But we got bored of it, and replaced it with an E500.

One thing to think about on those older cars is that all of the suspension bushings need replacement, as well as the dampers.

Door seals, hinges and the seats my need help too, and we have not started with the engine wire harness, as they tend to start to crack at that age. If you don't replace it, you will be chasing electrical problems until you run out of money.

I have kept a couple of cars over 30 years. My Renault I have had for 25, my Mercedes daily driver, for 16. None of the cars show their age, but you need to think about stuff that you have never thought of before when it comes to parts wearing out. 10 years is easy compared to doing the 34 I did with my Alfa. Surprisingly, that car made it without any electrical problems, or rust. I sold it a few years ago. Wish I hadn't.

With the money that you have, you don't have a lot of really cool cars to choose from. If you do find one, it will usually be rusted, or have problems that you cannot even imagine.

There is one possibility. Perhaps you can find a car that has had just one owner, and was well cared for. Never crashed, and the doors still fit, with original seals in new condition. Sure, it might need bushings and dampers, but for the most part, it might be a good one, especially if the chassis and engine compartment are clean and rust free. Of course, the only cars that old, that I know of, in that condition, are mine. None is for sale.

[The Monster]

Found a 1976 2002 in Reno that was really nice, but it sold

1976 is troublesome because of smog, but this one had ZERO rust, which is a plus. I'm contemplating a 1975 in Seattle, but I fear it DOES have some rust issues.

I also found this 1976, but the idiot PAINTED that dumb-ass stripe on it.http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1563786224.html

Grrrrrr

[SJMorgan]

Originally Posted by The Monster

Found a 1976 2002 in Reno that was really nice, but it sold

1976 is troublesome because of smog, but this one had ZERO rust, which is a plus. I'm contemplating a 1975 in Seattle, but I fear it DOES have some rust issues.

I also found this 1976, but the idiot PAINTED that dumb-ass stripe on it.http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1563786224.html

Grrrrrr

Time for a reality check.

IF the car doesn't have rust, it doesn't matter if it had Puce stripes. Paint is the cheap part of these cars.

The price is certainly friendly, but you need to really take a look at the car to see what you really have there.

BMW had no rust proofing at all during those years. The factory offered a "body in white" as a standard part, to repair rusted 2002s and CS series cars. If you can find one of these cars from a mild climate, without rust, you jump on it at ANY price, if that is the car that you want.

That this particular car is a "76 would be reason alone to pass it up. What you want is a pre '74, without smog issues, so that you can do what you want to it, such as making a 2002 Alpina out of it.

Best to find a 2002tii. Expensive, but usually well cared for.

These are desirable cars. Unfortunately, they were designed with a short half life. Because of this, you are pretty much limited to cars from Southern CA, Arizona and Nevada. Any car from the northwest will have lived in a high humidity climate, with plenty of rainfall. Not a good thing for a 2002.

You might be better off looking for one of the early 4 cylinder M3s. They are relatively inexpensive, probably less than a restored 2002, and are great fun to drive. The coachwork benefits from modern galvanized body panels and rust proofing. They handle wonderfully, and are great fun to drive. Quick.

Also, the Mercedes 2.3-16 is pretty cool, and good ones can be had for around $5000. Plentiful parts, and a rock solid body.

The real bargain is a Mercedes C43, with a 300 HP V8. It is still possible to find these 1999-2000 cars for $10K, with less than 50 K miles. They are very reliable, fast, comfortable. With the least expensive AMG going for $60K, this is a bargain, and you can actually use it day to day.

[HeyChris]

Stay on the hunt Will... You'll find one by spring time...

[The Monster]

I'm also mulling getting an E30 325

[The Monster]

Or this

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1561917824.html

Interior is in great shape. Tear on drivers side seat bolster, otherwise interior is 9/10. Small dash crack, nothing major. Showed up new this winter.

[The Monster]

Went and looked at the car today, it's a 20 year old car for sure, but it's SOLID.

No rust
Drives great
Clean and straight body
New Team Dynamics wheels
New Clutch
New Rear Wheel Bearings

Here's pictures I took


This is the worst of the body damage, it's right behind the drivers door


The seat is worn, but comfy






The guy has put $3000 into it in the last year, and only wants $3500

[SJMorgan]

Originally Posted by The Monster

Went and looked at the car today, it's a 20 year old car for sure, but it's SOLID.

No rust
Drives great
Clean and straight body
New Team Dynamics wheels
New Clutch
New Rear Wheel Bearings

Here's pictures I took


This is the worst of the body damage, it's right behind the drivers door


The seat is worn, but comfy






The guy has put $3000 into it in the last year, and only wants $3500

Why not 4 cyl M3?

About twice the money, but will be worth twice as much in two years. Rare, and they drive quite well. Fast too. Not as much money as you might think. Especially if you can find a well maintained one.

Anyway, this car is a far better risk than a 2002 with tin worms.

You are going in the right direction.

[The Monster]

a 4cyl M3 is more like 5 times the price of this car.

[Mo Pho]

An M3 is a LOT more money, they are highly desired, additionally, they are very expensive to maintain since back then M really meant motorsport and not pseudo-motorsport like they are now, from what I hear the parts are really expensive.


That car looks pretty nice and fun. Seats can be changed. How many miles?



Have you considered something like an SVT Focus or Honda CRX?

[The Monster]

I did, but I want RWD for maximum DORIFTO action!

it has 217K miles, but less than 100K on the motor. And yeah, I already found MINT seats on eBay for $300

[SJMorgan]

Originally Posted by Mo Pho

An M3 is a LOT more money, they are highly desired, additionally, they are very expensive to maintain since back then M really meant motorsport and not pseudo-motorsport like they are now, from what I hear the parts are really expensive.


That car looks pretty nice and fun. Seats can be changed. How many miles?



Have you considered something like an SVT Focus or Honda CRX?

I have seen quite a few nice ones for around 8K, with little to be done. I think that in big picture terms, it would be a better deal than having to modify or go through a standard BMW. Parts are expensive either way. At least you may be able to get your money back on an M3. They are far more desirable.

Since when was a BMW a bargain to restore?? Parts for those cars are ALWAYS expensive. With this in mind, spend the money on M3 parts. They really don't cost more.

As far as psudo motorsport, the current M3 is pretty nice, and understeers less than the old one. Just because the old one is harsh, doesn't mean that it is actually better. Nothing psudo about the latest M3, or any of the M3s, for that matter.

I like the early car as it was minimalist, as most of the small sedans were at that time. Not so many options.

I have been driving a couple of the early 6 cylinder cars, and they are really very nice. Huge brakes, nice torquy engine. Too bad that they are hard to find.

[Mo Pho]

Originally Posted by SJMorgan

I have seen quite a few nice ones for around 8K, with little to be done. I think that in big picture terms, it would be a better deal than having to modify or go through a standard BMW. Parts are expensive either way. At least you may be able to get your money back on an M3. They are far more desirable.

Since when was a BMW a bargain to restore?? Parts for those cars are ALWAYS expensive. With this in mind, spend the money on M3 parts. They really don't cost more.

As far as psudo motorsport, the current M3 is pretty nice, and understeers less than the old one. Just because the old one is harsh, doesn't mean that it is actually better. Nothing psudo about the latest M3, or any of the M3s, for that matter.

I like the early car as it was minimalist, as most of the small sedans were at that time. Not so many options.

I have been driving a couple of the early 6 cylinder cars, and they are really very nice. Huge brakes, nice torquy engine. Too bad that they are hard to find.

The E30 M3's were built to homologation specs and have all the expensive proprietary race bits, the new cars are built to message egos and separate people from their money.
I know people that own E30 M3's and they have often talked about how expensive they are to maintain, especially when it pertains to the engine

I don't think Will is looking to restore anything, he is just trying to find a car that he can have some fun with on the cheap and not have to worry about parking it on the streets of San Francisco, those hippies can brutal you know

[The Monster]

Find me an E30 M3 that's not a total basketcase for $8K and I'll call you daddy.

And yes, I'm looking for a semi-beater play car.

[Mo Pho]

So did you buy it?

[The Monster]

I was going to, and then we found out out upstairs neighbor couldn't pay his property taxes, and since out building is Tenants in Common, we're fucked.

[Mo Pho]

very nice of him

[HeyChris]

Why are you guys tenants in common and not 50% owners?.... The latter would make it harder for the city/state to come after Andrea & you forthe other owner's taxes...

They pay up yet, our did you give them a loan shark loan.....

[The Monster]

Originally Posted by HeyChris

Why are you guys tenants in common and not 50% owners?.... The latter would make it harder for the city/state to come after Andrea & you forthe other owner's taxes...

They pay up yet, our did you give them a loan shark loan.....

Tenants In Common = Co-Owners

He owns 58% of the building and we own 42%

Anyhoo, we have it sorted, so I'm back in the market.

Of course, now I can't find a car

[Mo Pho]

Here you go http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/ctd/1591281707.html

[The Monster]

Someone already sent me that

[FunElan]

I"m sorry I just saw this thread!! There really are solid 2002's for sale for under 6k. That's how much mine was! You're welcome to drive mine anytime you want. There's a nice 75 for sale for 2800 on www.2002faq.com.

Are you still looking for a car in this category??

[HeyChris]

William ended up buying a 5 series....