engine and drivetrain How do the old (1971) 2002's handle winter??

[Guest Anonymous]

Hi all,

I am looking at buying a 1971 BMW 2002 [that's why I am here ]

However, I would need to drive it in the bitter cold and snow as well. How do these old guys handle in the cold? Do they start OK? Obviously alot has to do with engine/electrical but assuming they are OK what do you think?

Thanks all!

[Guest Anonymous]

URL: http://www.zeebuck.com/02bc/index.htm

Just don't do it. There are fewer and fewer of our beloved beasties on the road every year. Why take one away from a caring owner, just so you can destroy it in the salt? Just say NO to letting 02s rot!

Al

[Guest Anonymous]

Don't drive an 02 in the snow....the salt will make them rust overnight....

Brandon

'71 2002

'74 2002Tii

[Guest Anonymous]

I can be a caring owner too

They do not use salt here...just sand so there is no worry about rust! I would say that I would only put about 250KM per month on it. I want something that is unique and has personality...in the summer I drive my bike so all in all I won't be putting too many miles...

[Guest Anonymous]

Don't be so sure. A lot of areas say that they don't use salt but they mix it with sand. By the way. Sand will sand blast your underside and expose the metal to rust. G

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

Seems like people are very concerned with the possibility of the 02 rusting out....we had a '73 Volvo that was in the family until 2 years ago. It drove every winter here and there was no rust. Rust is not a big factor here on the prairies...it gets cold..REAL COLD and stays like that. There is no moisture or regular thawing that causes rust.

The 02 I am looking at has no rust and has lived here its whole life...the current owner has not driven it in winter since he bought it because he uses a 4x4.

So let's change the question..assume no snow/ice/salt ... how does the 02 work in cold? Or does everyone simply park them in the garage and only enjoy them in the summer months?

[Guest Anonymous]

I drove my 68' 2002 for quite a few winters being I didn't have any other transportation at the time. It did fine if you installed studded snows all around & 200 lbs in the trunk.

I did get stuck occasonally (mainly in parking areas) AND the car simply wouldn't go up super steep hills or switch backs if it was icy out Don't even try!

If you live in the flat lands....and it normally snows under 6" at a time, put snow tires on it and install a limited slip differential. You should have no major trouble.

As for using a 2002 in the snow.... I say why not? Go for it!

I only gave up using my 02 in the winter when I moved to the top of a mountain.... then I bought an Audi Quattro coupe.... can't beat awd and studded snows (unless it snows 4 ft or more... then I drive the jeep).

Now the 02 mainly gets driven in the summer or fall months only! Still no rust to mention.....of course I do live in rural WA state one of the last holdouts for no salt on the road, but man do they rock the hell out everything when it's bad out... BIG UN's too.. easy to crack your windshield if you follow too close!

WH

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

Aside from the very valid rust concerns, the ventilation/defrost capability of the heater blower is barely adequate by modern standards. I Think the coldest I've started and driven the 02 was about -10F No probs started in a few seconds with manual choke Weber. That was last year, cold but months without snow, so no rust worries. You probably see -20 to -30 right? Brrr.... don't want to think about winter.

[Guest Anonymous]

From a practical point of view one problem is the deficient defroster. I would either

A. install a squirrel cage blower under the rear window shelf that takes air from the passenger compartment and blows on the rear window or B. look into kits for adding new heating elements to the rear window. The heaters not great by modern standards but its fine for me- just let everything warm up for 10 minutes before you get in the car.

In terms of starting it all depends on the condition of the ignition and fuel supply. I have had stock cars, 32/36/ dual 40 webers and they all started great because I went through it all and made sure everything wad dialed in.

In terms of driving- get some good snow tires that are't too wide. You have no weight in the back so big fat tires just float on the snow. I like the original size for snow.

The car is really controlable in the snow and fun as hell. Totally predictable. Like I said though traction in the rear is lacking so have some sand on the trunk for when you get stuck. And cables or chains are obvioulsly good to have on hand.

Having said all this I must now state that I grew up in texas and never even saw snow until I went to college which coincidentally is also ewhen I got my own first 02 (previous to that I jsut talked my girlfreinds into buying them)- so really i don't anything about snow- except that its fun as hell.

Oh yeah- I think if you wanna drive in the snow and there is no salt- only sand you can maintain the 02. Squirt 50% motor oil 50% penetrating oil into the rockers and nose and wherever else you can think of 1 or 2 times a year. Locate all of the drains and be sure that they are all clear. Lube all of the hinges and exterior moving parts. Pull the carpet and seats out and look for problems. (i'd personally leave the carpet out as it just holds water all winter if you live in a wet place. Get some weather tech floormats Check the underside yearly and paln on spending some time under there every year. Fix any holes before winter. Look into finding some coaltar which is a 2 part epoxy paint with a tar like substance mixed in. Unbelivably strong stuff. Use it to cover any exposed metal. Its available at stores that sell paint for boats. Wash your car even in the winter. Most importantly fix and seal up any problems that the car already has.

What not to do- dont take you car to some cheap palce thats gonna spray under coating all over the place. Sure you get underthere and look at it and it new looking- but wait till next year when a chunk of the framerail falls off next to your head- This was the Texas boys intrduction to rust- Thanks to the previous owner.

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

If you cut a rectangular opening in the center of the heater box, it will blow more hot air into the interior than you'll know what to do with. Also keeps the rear window clear. The biggest problem with the '02 heater is there aren't large enough holes for the heated air to get out of it.

The heater hangs below the dash about 2". If you leave the ashtray off the console, There's plenty of room to fab a vent system. I drove through three Ohio winters with this setup, and had no problems.

The only cold related problem I had was when the temperature got to -20. With the 10:1's and 38/38 that hadn't ever been fully dialed in, it wouldn't start before the battery died. I drove it home numerous times with 1/2" - 3/4" of ice all over it. No unusual control problems with 13" Bridgestone Turanzas on 5.5" rims.

[Guest Anonymous]

Haven't done it for years but used to love winter driving in my 02's. I would add to be careful of understeer at parking lot speed in snow.

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)