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Looking at an 02 this weekend! Help!


n.dino

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Ok, so Im heading out to look at this 1974 2002tii. Very excited however just like any buyer I have to think of the negatives. What should I be looking for? Any common problems or signs. It would be my first 02 so I'm new to the entire 2002 world.

P.S. if anyone wants to know

Recent maintance:

New ATE Super Blue brake fluid

New Ireland Engineering urethane motor mounts

New carpets & Coco Mats

New distributor cap, rotor, points

New front & rear seat upholstery

New fuel & air filters

New motor oil & coolant

New spark plugs & wires

Timing, idle, & air:fuel tuning

Valve adjustment

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Guest Anonymous

If this is your first o2 take someone along that knows these cars, experience is invaluable. Rust can hide on a o2, my deal breaker is rust on the rockers, strip that runs from wheel to wheel below the doors, about 1500 each to have profesionaly repaired. Look under the car, a key phrase, the condition on the underside will tip you to overall reall condition. Under the spare tire, under both bumper areas, under the doors, under the shock towers, and def under the carpet, all these are common rust areas.If rust free you will have something, if rusty you will have a 3 k rusty car, sage words, rust is the only thing that matters, everything else can be fixed. Nice finds, any price posted?

Dave

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Dave, thanks for your input. The guy is asking 9,000 for it and I don't know it that is fair price. What do you guys think from the pictures. It doesn't look too bad with rust on the pictures above.

Look at the picture of the underside. Looks like rust holes on the front part of the rockers. Right behind the front tires. Its probably not a deal breaker, but neither is it a $9K car IMO. You should post your location so someone with some experience might offer to help inspect. Interior looks great and paint not bad.

76 BMW 2002 Arktisblau M42 5 spd - Born 5.21.76 - daily money pit

06 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 6 spd - garage queen *  73 Mustang Convertible 351C 

15 VW Touareg V6 Executive - daily driver * 23 Audi e-tron SUV (wife's)

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There are some exterior trim pieces missing. I'd expect new hood & trunk roundels for $9K!

So some routine maintenance items were performed. I'd see how it runs, and consider a compression and/or leak-down test.

The seats appear nice in the photo, although overstuffed. Rear ashtray missing? Any water damage to the door panels? Cracks in the dashboard?

John in VA

'74 tii "Juanita"  '85 535i "Goldie"  '86 535i "M-POSSTR"  

'03 530i "Titan"  '06 330ci "ZHPY"

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Contributed by Mars

Wednesday, 20 December 2006

By Mars aka Marsman

When considering to buy a BMW 2002, there are several things to consider. In the U.S. there were several different models produced. Production for these cars ran between the years 1968 through 1976. This guide will attempt to cover in detail some of the basic differences between each model and their respective year(s) of production.

1. Rust:

As with any older car from the 60's or 70's, the most important thing to look for is the condition of the body. You MUST carefully inspect the vehicle for any signs of rust. The most common points of rust on 02's can be found in:

Rear shock towers

The spare tire well

The gas tank area

The lower rocker panels on each side of the car

The driver and passenger floors (esp. on '76 cars, the passenger floors go bad)

The front fenders also tend to rust, especially around the turn signals and where it meets the front nose. Fortunately, they are very easy and relatively inexpensive to replace. Other areas that deserve attention are the bottom of the doors, the rim around the front hood and rear trunk and also the front strut tower assembly. Also look under the car and check the frame rails connecting the front crossmembers to the floors.

That having been said, don't let a little rust deter you from buying an 02. Some rust is merely surface rust and other forms of rust can easily be repaired. So long as you are aware of what the car has and needs before you buy it, and as long as the vehicle is priced right accordingly you will be fine.

2. Engine:

This applies to both fuel injected models and carb'ed models. Check for any excessive smoking due to oil burning. Note the color of the smoke as well. It can smoke in either blueish, white, or grayish black. The color of the smoke will indicate whether it's simple humidity off of the exhaust manifold, possible blown headgasket, worn valve rings, etc.. Here are some examples of colors and symptoms:

Blue smoke on 02's is most often seen on the overrun, meaning if you decelerate from high rpm speeds suddenly a blue puff of smoke would come out of the tail pipe. Blue smoke is the result of oil burning and most often associated with bad valve seals and worn valve guides. This is not major but will require attention down the line. Just be sure to check the oil level regularly.

White smoke is most often caused by some sort of humidity coming into the exhaust system. It could be as simple as drops of water hitting the exhaust manifold but usually is caused by coolant leaking out from the head. Somewhere water or moisture is being forced into the combustion chamber and being burned out the exhaust. A cracked head or leaking head gasket could cause these. If possible, momentarily smell the exhaust coming out from the rear tailpipe on a cold start. If it smells kind of "sweet", it could be a sign of a cracked cylinder head or also a potential blown head gasket.

Black smoke is caused by raw gasoline burning. An overly rich condition can be the cause by a choke stuck shut, a bad fuel pressure regulator, a plugged up air filter or a bad injector. On carbureted vehicles, the choke and choke linkage could have a buildup of gum and varnish. Typically, if you only get black smoke first thing in the morning, it has to do with the choke or the fuel enrichment portion of your fuel injection system. If you get black smoke all the time, get it fixed NOW.

Check for any sludge inside the valve cover or under the oil filler cap. Unusually white/milky substance can be indicative of a blown head gasket. The white milkiness is usually coolant mixed with oil. Ask the owner how long it's been sitting and whether or not it's humid in that area as sometimes lack of running the car and humidity can also cause moisture in the valves producing similar results. Also check for any dark, sludgy or black gummy stuff. Watch out for oil additives as well as some owners will use "stop smoke" additives or other products to masquerade any potential problems.

Check for any valvetrain noise(s) or other unusual sounds.

Inspect the water pump fan, check for any cracks.

The Tii models have a mechanical fuel injection system called the "Kugelfischer" injection system. This system is actually very reliable and dependable so long as it has been kept and tuned properly. If a Tii pump is running well, a good rule of thumb is not to mess with it.

Glance the engine compartment overall. Check the coolant cap to see if any discolorations exist, check the motor mounts, and make sure all the components are there such as the reservoir bottle, etc.

3. Differentials

The differentials in 2002's are pretty reliable. Simply do a visual check for signs of leaking seals, and listen for noises or whining sounds. Leaking seals or whiney diffs are usually worth repairing since these problems aren't severe. Most often 02 owners will simply replace them with another used unit.

4. Transmission:

Manual transmissions are also pretty much bullet proof in 02's. The most common problems with transmissions are bad synchros and faulty or loose output flange or bearing noise. If the noise is very faint, it is considered acceptable, but, excessively loud noise is usually indicative of impending bearing failure. If the trans has a louder noise to it, a rebuild will be necessary or at a minimum replace the layshaft bearings.

5. Model Year Variations/Info:

1968 was the first year for the 2002 model. It's origins came from the former 1600 model after a 2 door coupe concept (1600-2) was conceived. The 2002 model is simply the 1600-2 2 door body designation with a 2.0 litre motor. These are usually identified by missing lower side moldings, simple chrome bumpers, and no reflectors. These have the original round taillights and the front grills are silver & black combination.

1969-1971.5 models are pretty much the same as the '68's, with mild upgrades to the braking systems. Minor interior modifications were made and the long neck rears were replaced with the newer short neck axle. CV Joints were also added, I believe.

1972 introduced the 2002tii in the US, the most desirable of the 02 models. Tii models were fuel injected instead of the traditional carb'ed versions. The Tii stands for Touring Injected International. Prior to this, the Touring International (TI) designation was for the higher performance, dual carb'ed versions of the 02. The Tii's fuel injection was achieved by the "Kugelfischer" mechanical fuel injection system. Tii's had a higher compression than their regular carb'ed counter parts (9.0:1 vs. 8.5:1). Internal engine modifications were made as well. Larger intake valves were added, a completely improved braking system (larger front rotors/calipers/pads, larger rear wheel cylinders and larger master cylinder/brake booster), and a better suspension was added (stiffer control arms and spindles). Wider wheels (5X13 vs 4 1/2X13) were also added. The overall fuel injection changes and higher compression made the Tii good for about an extra 25-30HP over it's predecessor. In 1972, 130bhp was not common and made these cars a blast to drive. Visually, they looked the same as the 71.5's with the exception of the 2002tii badge on the rear.

The carb'ed versions stayed the same up until 72.5, where the engine gets a major revision due to new emission laws. This introduced the E12 head. The original heads were stamped with 121 or 121TI. The newer E12 head also benefitted from bigger valves (from 44mm to 46mm). A two barrel Solex carb is used. The EGR, and the air pumps are dropped. Performance was improved as a result. The Tii also gets the new E12 head in mid-'72, combined with aluminum intake runners versus the original black plastic banana tube intake runners found on 121 heads.

1973 yielded no major changes except for the bumpers. The bumpers were extended further out to meet the new U.S. bumper regulations.

1974 introduced some major body changes. The most noticeable are the rear tail lights and bumpers. The "roundtails" are gone and in place are the square tail lights. High impact bumpers were added to meet U.S. federal regulations. The interiors are upgraded with completely new upholstery and simulated wood is added to the gauges. The front grills are now black plastic. The turn signal lever is moved to the left of the steering column, where older models have it on the right hand side.

The Tii gets the same body facelift, however, this is the last year for the Tii in the US.

1975 brings no visual changes. The engines are highly modified with emission controls. Thermal reactors were added, EGR's and air pumps, and also the '75's yield lower compression. The '75's are the least desirable as a result.

1976 is the last year of the 2002. No major exterior changes were made, but the emission controls were removed for the 49-state version (non-California) cars. Thermal reactors are no more, which was a welcomed changed. Rear axle ratio is lowered on 49-state cars to improve acceleration up to a higher numerical 3.9:1 vs the original 3.64:1. A new cylinder head (designated the E21 2.0) is used which is the same one the 320i's eventually adopt. The non "49 State" version California cars are identical to '75 models. The '76's are by far the easiest to maintain and own. By 1976 BMW had ironed out all of the problems and as a result the '76's are the most reliable all around models. These are perfect for the first time 02 owner.

Turbos & Other Variations

Turbos were only produced in 1974, sadly, by BMW. They were introduced before the early crisis in the 70's and high gas sales affected sales. BMW in a panic pulled the plug on the Turbo model. They were never officially imported into the US. Other models not making it overseas were the "Touring" model (hatchback '02s) which were built from '71 to '75. BMW also produced a limited run of targa models referred to as the Baur convertibles. From '72-'75, they existed with targa-tops, a removable metal roof section over the front seats, and a soft fold-down rear window. All of the targa models were 2002's. Convertible 02's were also made in the late 60's using the 1600 model.

From 2002 Buying Tips - How to find a good one - by Marsmann used with permission. Thanks Mars!!!

'86 R65 650cc #6128390 22,000m
'64 R27 250cc #383851 18,000m
'11 FORD Transit #T058971 28,000m "Truckette"
'13 500 ABARTH #DT600282 6,666m "TAZIO"

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seller says- "...this car would make a great candidate for a continued restoration....."

which is another way of saying the body needs to be gone through

again since this respray and body moulding removal, heavy

surface rusting underneath treated, all new suspension and

steering bushings and links replaced. BRAKES ???,

Transmission sycros??? Drive line Condition ???

Whats waiting under the "new carpet"??

photos:

engine compartment = please remove the SPACERs

ontop of the front struts to lower the ride height

for improved ride/handling urethane motor

mounts are for race cars - not street cars Why is

there that mystery expansion tank/breather bottle

to the right of the radiator?

Gas filter has been relocated / Why?

You might think that if someone really cared for

this car that the under hood area would be clean

- instead of the feeling I get that this is a quick and

cheep respray with interior fabric thrown in haste.

The side body moundings, some bumper trim is

missing, nasty over spray on the bumper shocks

- just sloppy - non caring, didn't really preserve the

car as it deserves. I hate BLUE Brake fluid

in a street car. OK for a race car.

Do you want to buy a car that runs but you don't mind

restoring cosmetics. And then restore mechanicals like

brakes, trans, steering, hows the electrics in this car ???

So you drive to PA to road test this car and you listen

to some of it's limitations, some of the details that it needs,

and you then wonder how much all that will cost you

when it hits your driveway?

This it why it's not a $9 , 0 0 0 . o o car at this moment.

Maybe a $ 2,000 , or $3,000 or $3,600 tops

Know what your ability is to do your own work

Do you have the time? do you have indoor space?

Do you have the money? Do you know how to service a car

with mechanical fuel injection?

happy hunting....

Stay home this weekend on this one

i'm back - more stuff bothers me

what do you think about the quality and care of repair/

repaint when 'these people' can't spend a few dollars for

new BMW Roundels for the hood and trunk??

or how about the uneven rear bumper gap from a hit

and one of the shocks have not returned out?

and the missing bumper-to-body trim covers?

removing the damaged side body moundings? 'these

people' just sprayed paint, threw seat covers on,

tossed in a carpet and laid bait for a tii hunting fish.

Don't get hooked! We dont see the insides of the wheel wells

where the rusting or patching has occured. We don't see

inside the trunk or under the trunk floor boards.

Now for the end.

A California Plate on the back ????

your driving to the rust capital of America ???

please don't leave the yard this weekend.

'86 R65 650cc #6128390 22,000m
'64 R27 250cc #383851 18,000m
'11 FORD Transit #T058971 28,000m "Truckette"
'13 500 ABARTH #DT600282 6,666m "TAZIO"

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I'm with C.D. on this one. The car looks nice at a glance, but the details raise a lot of questions.

As C.D. points out, the seller's claims that "the car has new motor mounts from Ireland Engineering as well as new under-hood engine insulation made of aircraft grade closed cell foam, both of which help to reduce noise and vibration and make the car a pleasure to drive" aren't accurate. The purpose of installing polyurethane motor mounts rather than the OEM rubber mounts is that they're stiffer and harder than OEM rubber, and they reduce the amount the motor twists and moves under load, cornering and braking. Harder motor mounts don't reduce noise and vibration, they increase noise and vibration by transferring more of the engine's vibrations and inertia to the chassis. The benefits of stiffer motor mounts are more accurate shifts (the shift lever won't be moving around as much while you're trying to shift gears), and better handling (the motor won't be bouncing around while you're trying to settle the car for turning.) The downsides are that you get more vibration, more noise, and more flexing of the frame rails, which contributes to noise in the cabin.

williamggruff

'76 2002 "Verona" / '12 Fiat 500 Sport "Latte" / '21 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road Prem “The Truck”

 

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Funny thing is that MARSMANN is from out that way. Like CD, even though he doesn't currently have an 02, he still LOVES to go look at one.

See if you can hook up w/him and buy him a lunch to go see it. He is A SUPER cool guy, and a MOUNTAIN of resource..

Dave

Pittsburgh, PA

67.5 Datsun Roadster

72 2002 Colorado

89 325ix

99 318ti

04 x5 3.0

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(nt)

The new book The Best Of The Hack Mechanic available at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0998950742, inscribed copies of all books available at www.robsiegel.com

1972 tii (Louie), 1973 2002 (Hampton), 1975 ti tribute (Bertha), 1972 Bavaria, 1973 3.0CSi, 1979 Euro 635CSi, 1999 Z3, 1999 M Coupe, 2003 530i sport, 1974 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special (I know, I know...)

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I think c.d. is being a bit harsh and would buy it in a New York Minute if it showed up for $3600 :^), but I also think nine grand is high.

It's virtually impossible for anyone to accurately ascribe a "here's what you should pay" value to a car without seeing it and driving it, but since the owner is not claiming it's rust-free (he says "surface rust"), I'll guarantee you it's not. The tip of the iceberg, as someone pointed out, is the rust at the corner of where the rocker meets the floor at the front. To me, a bit of surface rust on the floor or frame rails isn't a big deal. If you undercoat the car with oil, and store it in a dry garage, and keep it out of the rain, it can be stable for years, but if you don't, the rust will explode. If there IS substantial rust-through, just walk away unless he carves the price by 2/3.

Ad also says "the previous owner had the car repainted to the current burgundy as shown," implying it wasn't this color originally. I don't care about that sort of stuff, but it factors into nine grand being high. Ditto with the missing trim -- not a showstopper if everything else checks out, but for nine grand it should all be there.

His "the car has recently had" list is all pretty minor stuff and says nothing about the condition of the engine and transmission.

If you want the end product to be a perfect car, don't buy it, but multiply your budget by 2.5.

But if you drive it, and love it, and dig the color, and search high and low on the car and can't find a single rust hole anywhere, and stand on the gas in second gear and rev it to 5000rpm and it pulls good and hard, then let off it and let it fall to 2000rpm, and stand on it again, and don't see a whiff of oil smoke out the exhaust, and it doesn't munch any of the transmission synchros, and you have driven other 02s and feel this is the one, and you can't sleep, and you can't stand another day on this planet without owning a 2002...

I don't know... $6500 plus or minus?

The question to ask yourself is... will YOU be happy once you pay that, plus or minus some fudge factor (probably plus... people don't easily lop a third off their asking price) once you find the rust and are confronted with the myriad of repairs every 40 year old car needs?

As the Lester Bangs character says to the kid in "Almost Famous" regarding writing his first piece in Rolling Stone covering a band he's come to grow fond of, "be unflinching and absolutely merciless."

The new book The Best Of The Hack Mechanic available at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0998950742, inscribed copies of all books available at www.robsiegel.com

1972 tii (Louie), 1973 2002 (Hampton), 1975 ti tribute (Bertha), 1972 Bavaria, 1973 3.0CSi, 1979 Euro 635CSi, 1999 Z3, 1999 M Coupe, 2003 530i sport, 1974 Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special (I know, I know...)

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