engine and drivetrain Looking To Purchase

[2002bmwfan]

Hi everyone, this is my first post. I may be a newbie to the seen, but I have been in love with 02's

since I was a little kid. My dad introduced me to BMW and 2002's a long time ago, he used to race them in Europe and then sold them in Canada for a long time. I am looking into purchasing a

1976 2002. This is not year specific but they are quite rare in the Montreal area. I found one in

a local classified and they Pm'd me some photos. I would like if some of the experienced people

from this forum could look at them and maybe give me some insight as the car is not running

and I would have to tow the car back home (this would be alot of trouble, it's some way from

where I live.)I understand that there would be alot of fab work, but I would not want to have to fab 

everything!!! I would be planning an engine swap and the usual brake upgrades, suspension

etc. I am more worried about buying a rusted out shell.As I understand this car has always been

in Canada. Most of it's life in Ontario. I would appreciate any insight, I just want to have one of these awesome cars as my summer driver. I have posted the pictures that were sent to me.

 

 

Thanks in advance

 

Serge B

[M3M3M3]

run away from that one.  if there is that much rust visible on top, imagine what lies under the car.  there are many far better cars out there...you need patience and may have to travel or have it shipped.

 

how much research have you done on buying an 02?  if you have not done so already, buy mccartney's "2002 restoration guide" before you go any further and read it cover to cover, twice.  no joke.  unless there is someone local experienced with 02's you can lean on, you must learn what to watch out for.

 

you have only been a member here for 20min before posting.  while you are waiting for the book to arrive from amazon, try searching this forum for the many threads on buying a 2002..lots to be learned that will guide you in your search.

 

to start you off, here is a link to an article found in the articles/history and reference section of this forum.

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/_/technical-articles/history-and-reference/2002-buying-tips-how-to-find-a-good-one-r65

Edited August 22, 2013 by mlytle

[Buckeye]

Looks like rust bucket. Don't buy it.

Solid body should be 1st. Priority when looking for one.

[lilmo]

Umm, no. Summer is almost over.  So you have 9+ months now to track down a decent 2002.  That dog is not even worth the photos.

[71bmr02]

now would be a good time to run.  I have parts cars in better condition than that.

 

Gale

[MrSharky]

as has been mentioned, run, don't walk, but run away, from this one.  Send me the wheels, though.  

Not sure what it would take to get it across the border, but you might want to start looking in Vermont and New York.   Check Craig's list and Ebay - they are around. 

[paulram]

I spent 8 years looking on ebay and craiglist for a local car that was rust free in NJ.  I finally found one on Craigslist that was indeed rust free.  My only concern was finding a rust free car to work with.  The fact that it ran was a bonus. I took my time as it really didn't fit into my lifestyle (or garage) and was in no rush. I have owned two rusty problem cars previously and just drove them. Nothing else.  The real problem aside from safety is you really don't want to spend money on anything because its a rust bucket and it is like pissing into the wind. Once you have the shell, it doesn't bother you to spend the money.  You know you'll either have the car for a long time or be able to sell it and recoup your money. 

 

My wife laughed at me when I brought home a poorly sprayed car with no bumpers and thought I was crazy.  I laughed because it only cost $3500.00 and felt like I finally found the lost treasure I had been searching for and got there before anyone else did.

 

I do need to know... How much was he asking???? It might be worth it if you needed a parts car.  I know I do.

[Mike Self]

Yikes--if the front shock towers are that bad (unusual rust there) I wonder what the rear shock towers are like--missing, I'll bet.

 

No way should you buy that one except for parts....

 

Take a vacation to California,, buy a nice 76 at a good price that won't pass emissions in CA and drive it home to Canada.

 

mike

[2002bmwfan]

Thanks for all the great responses guys.

@ Mlytle: I have mostly been trolling the internet and reading forums.The reason I had posted on this forum was to get an opinion

on this particular car.I have seen some restorations on youtube, from cars that looked terrible, not as bad as this one but unless

you can see a car in person you can't get the full picture.Now I know my investment for at least a clean shell needs to be higher.this

all makes sense as less money and time would have to be spent on initial body, rust repair etc.

 

@Paulram: you are a very patient person, which will pay off in the end. The person was asking $1200 can

[paulram]

For $1200 I'd buy it tomorrow if if was closer...  Again,  it would be for the sum of the parts, not the shell.

 

Paul

[BlueBarchetta]

If you are looking for '76s, you may want to consider looking in California for '76s. California still enforces smog laws (depending on county/town, from what I hear), and are a bitch to keep all of the smog equipement installed and working properly. That said, they are often cheaper. Even considering the cost of having it shipped back, you can get a sweet, rust free car.. . It took me 9 months back in 2010 to find a rusty '74 in upstate NY (a good 5 hour drive from Boston). Rust was/is limited to fenders and outer quarter panels/hood, but the 'bones' are rust free.....Good Luck

[2002bmwfan]

If you are looking for '76s, you may want to consider looking in California for '76s. California still enforces smog laws (depending on county/town, from what I hear), and are a bitch to keep all of the smog equipement installed and working properly. That said, they are often cheaper. Even considering the cost of having it shipped back, you can get a sweet, rust free car.. . It took me 9 months back in 2010 to find a rusty '74 in upstate NY (a good 5 hour drive from Boston). Rust was/is limited to fenders and outer quarter panels/hood, but the 'bones' are rust free.....Good Luck

Hi BlueBarchetta, Thanks for the info. I wish I had someone to help me in California. I Am not sure how hard it would be to import a 2002

into Canada, or  how much they would gouge me at customs. Considering they are considered as classics maybe not so bad.Thats why I was trying to get a Canadian car.They are very rare here.I will keep looking.

 

Thanks

 

Serge B

[LJtii]

If you want a car with very little rust, do not look at a car from Montreal. I have seen three-year old cars there with rust bubbles already clearly visible.

[pminasi]

Serge,

I am in California and know of a few 76s available. And they are good. Send me a message here and maybe I can help you find something. I saw a good 76 that I almost bought but plans for a second 02 right now have changed.

[2002bmwfan]

Serge,

I am in California and know of a few 76s available. And they are good. Send me a message here and maybe I can help you find something. I saw a good 76 that I almost bought but plans for a second 02 right now have changed.

Hi pminasi, thanks for the offer.What kind of prices are we talking about?