other Bmw As A Dd

[bazju]

I come from driving a 93' Miata. If there was ever a car less seen, and more dangerous in an accident than a 2002 it is an older miata. 

[M3M3]

miata's are actually decent (for a tiny car). i have seen lots of them take really hard hits into other cars and walls on the race track.  computer engineered crush zones, detachable drivetrains, and side impact protection make a huge difference.  they are small, but they have some advantages...including taillights that are actually visible! 

Edited June 17, 2014 by mlytle

[glemon]

I agree with what the others have said, first, you have to really like driving, vs. wanting to get from point a to b with the least amount of energy and involvement, and that is a different proposition with a daily driver than with a car you have to drive on nice days when the mood strikes you.

 

Second, a well sorted car will be pretty reliable, but it is not a Toyota or Honda where you can almost expect little or no maintenance except oil changes and consumables like tires and brake pads for the first 100,000 miles or so, with vintage car you need sympathetic in tune ear to what the car is telling you as you drive it each day, and, unless you have awfully deep pockets, the ability and willingness to work on it yourself.

 

lastly the safety thing, it is an issue, how much of an issue for you depends on how risk averse you are, compared to my little Triumph with a convertible top and no roll bar the 2002 feels pretty safe, but it is certainly not as safe as a modern car with crumple zones, side impact beams and airbag.  I talked to a guy who had just bought a new Morgan three wheeler as a fun car, and asked him if he felt safe in it, he said you just drive it like a motorcycle, all things are relative I guess, but the average car is bigger and in my opinion the average driver more distracted these days, your choice, but something to think about.

 

My little cheap neglected car has been remarkably reliable with very little invested in getting it back on the road in good order, quite impressed with it actually.

[SydneyTii]

I live in Sydney and the same as you guys we have some very large SUV's while strangely the size is actually reducing but it will still take years to get the bloody things off the road. I rarely think about the consequences of driving my 40 year old car, that is until my daughter gets into it, only natural I suppose, tii's are just as usable as any other 02 for a DD, I drove mine every day for years, and actually you can buy new kuglefischer pumps from Kholler in Germany, plus you can always get it recon'd. So DD, yeah why not, unless you really are worried about an accident, but there are many small cars that a Toyota Landcruiser would squash in a Tbone, look at the Fiat 500's do you guys have the news ones there? Sure you would be better off than in an 02, but by how much! Perhaps I have a different view, this Saturday I will drive through some nice twisty roads, dodging all the weekend warriors in their 4WD's go to my local beach and have a surf, but being Crocodile Dundee I don't mind the rather large fish we have here either.... It's all about perspective, and we all have different ones.

[saaron]

Per usual, great perspective from everyone.  

 

I do think it depends a lot on where you live, how mechanically inclined you are (or want to be), and what your "daily driving" actually consists of.

 

A friend in Rochester, NY, had an 02 in their family.  Every few years they would get new doors and rocker panels.  Just like getting new tires.  That was climate-related.  So they DD'ed it, but that was the price you paid for DDing in that environment.  By most standards of regular people, that is pretty extreme.  

 

Also, when I was commuting on the freeways, driving my 02 to work during rush hour called for extreme vigilance.  Lots of people doing 80 mph in their Range Rover while on a conference call.  Now I don't commute (work from my office at home, or a few clients' places), so driving my 02 more often is easier - secondary roads, not at 8am or 5pm, etc.  Lighter traffic, lower speeds, easier driving.  I could DD it more easily now - less miles driven per year, less threatening conditions.  In fact, I do drive it a lot more frequently now.

 

Scott

[mitchh718]

My 2002 is my DD and I love it, Saying that though I am 16 so it is my first car and I have only driven it for about 6 months so I can't really speak for reliability more than so far its been great. When I got the car the stereo that was in it was just a radio and cassette deck and only one speaker worked so I bought a new deck and new speakers and it sounds better than most new cars. Leaving school everyday I sit in stop and go traffic and the 2002 takes it fine no issues but none of my daily drive is on the freeway if it was I would probably be more inclined to do the 5-speed swap just to make it a little quieter on long freeway drives with other people. All in all for the right person the 2002 is a great DD.

 

Mitchell

[ClayW]

I try to DD my 1600, though mass transit keeps me off the roads most days. Either way, I hate giving into the fear of what might happen if I take my car out of the garage, so i drive it as often as I can.

 

That being said, the best thing advice I can give is to make your car as reliable and comfortable as possible, if you want to DD it. Don't worry about fast; make it easy. Avoid the boosterless brake setups, roll cages, rock-hard polyurethane bushings, loud exhaust systems, welded diffs and super-hard racing seats. Restuff your stock seats, keep the brakes in good working order, replace all the bushings with OEM rubber, and actively seek out anything that annoys you (rattles and creaks).

 

Also, consider an engine and/or transmission swap. The E21 5 speed conversion is probably the best upgrade for your money--it really civilizes the car. Further, if you want to get adventurous, you can swap an M42 in there or do a Megasquirt EFI conversion on your M10. Either way, you'll have a car that starts every time, gets decent fuel economy, and runs smoothly.

[PaulTWinterton]

Well said guys.  It's all been summed up. Great 40 year old car, but NOT the smartest choice as a DD.

 

Heck I'm even a little nervous to go for a ride today.  One hand on the horn button, and eyes in the back of my head.

 

I daily drive my 02 in the summer.  Dry days only.  DDD "Dry Day Driver".  07 VW Golf the rest of the time.

[jrhone]

I try to DD my 1600, though mass transit keeps me off the roads most days. Either way, I hate giving into the fear of what might happen if I take my car out of the garage, so i drive it as often as I can.

That being said, the best thing advice I can give is to make your car as reliable and comfortable as possible, if you want to DD it. Don't worry about fast; make it easy. Avoid the boosterless brake setups, roll cages, rock-hard polyurethane bushings, loud exhaust systems, welded diffs and super-hard racing seats. Restuff your stock seats, keep the brakes in good working order, replace all the bushings with OEM rubber, and actively seek out anything that annoys you (rattles and creaks).

Also, consider an engine and/or transmission swap. The E21 5 speed conversion is probably the best upgrade for your money--it really civilizes the car. Further, if you want to get adventurous, you can swap an M42 in there or do a Megasquirt EFI conversion on your M10. Either way, you'll have a car that starts every time, gets decent fuel economy, and runs smoothly.

Well. I have to disagree. My DD 02 has IE Stage II springs cut a but more in the front. Bilstein Sport shocks, LOUD exhaust, headers and glass pack with zero packing left, e21 recaros, weber 38 (soon to be dual 40s), 292 Cam and more mods to come. Not only is it my DD I also regularly take road trips of 6-10 hour drives. It's all about your expectations. I have zero regrets on the suspension or motor. It's amazingly reliable. Super fun. Handles like a dream. And looks great. It's actually a bit smoother then my new Carrera on coilovers. That was harsh. This is stiff but compliant. I thinking if looking into Koni's as they are supposed to be nicer than the Bilstein Sports.

[ClayW]

I think I may just be getting old.

[jrhone]

not old...its your expectation...the wife thinks my car is loud, hot and bumpy....The new car has electronically adjustable suspension, and exhaust...so she gets it quiet and soft, I get it loud and bumpy...lol...maybe I dont wanna get old...

[airborne85]

On the bright side...BMW 2002's are in less reported accidents than let's say Honda, Toyota, Ford or any other common manufacturer.

 

I say absolutely the 02 is a daily driver.  And I say absolutely things are gonna break, machines break.  My 335i has broken..It's a machine. 

 

The good thing about the 02 breaking is most likely you can fix it yourself, and there's a good chance that that same part won't break for at least two weeks (smile)..

 

I never worry about getting hit by another car..why? be scared of something that might happen, maybe, if ever....Accidents happen. Yep there are no modern crush zones but from what I hear about the speed s on the autobahn...I guess this car held it's own during a collision..Getting hit by another vehicle is a jolting experience crumple zone do help, but whatever....

 

My car goes 50, 60, 70, 80,90 mph just like the modern cars...If it breaks, it breaks..I'll fix it or I'll pay to have it fixed if it's beyond my skill level...

 

I say make a deal with yourself only drive the 02" on days that end with "y"...

 

ira

[glemon]

I am actually using my 2002 as a daily driver this week as my wife hit a deer with her Honda, she is driving my "modern"  car (99 Maxima, 5 speed of course) and I am driving the 2002.  It is quite pleasant to take it out each day, only thing is the heat, over 90 F today, it is tolerable on the way to work, and if I get sweaty on the way home I can always change, and or shower. 

 

However, I do have to say if my commute were in a big city with most of the time spent crawling along or stopped it wouldn't be much fun in the 2002.  Might as well be in a Toyota in those circumstances.

[JFT]

To use a 2002 as a DD, I should think you'd want to have at least basic mechanical skills, some basic tools, and the ability to trouble-shoot and fix anything that crops up as soon as it crops up - or at least take it to a specialist and have it fixed. I mean, these things are up to 45 years old and they will have issues from time to time. Parts availability is something to look into. Through vendors like Pelican Parts, you can get anything you need for an old Porsche, for instance, but that does not exactly appear to be the case for old Bimmers. Pelican, which has outstanding service, does have a few things for these cars, but their list doesn't seem to be nearly as extensive as their Porsche parts lists. Perhaps there are other vendors who do have extensive parts supplies?

 

Keep in mind also, as others have mentioned, that you will not have air conditioning, or at least will not have a system that works satisfactorily.

 

This is important - keep in mind that the safety stuff we take for granted in modern cars - air bags, door protection, crumple zones and all the rest - is totally absent in any car of this vintage. And they do not have the brake pad sensors that tell you when the pads are worn out. Ask me how I know - yes, I was young at the time and even dumber than I am now....

 

All that said, these are solid, reliable little cars that are quite easy to work on, fun to look at and even more fun to drive. You just have to have, or develop, some mechanical sympathy. My next old crock - I'm currently on hiatus from old cars - will be another one of these.

[RayC911]

Not too much to add than what has been disected already as far as reliabilty, comfort, etc. I do strongly agree with where you live and what kind of commute you have. I've been in Socal for 4 yrs and have been hit 4 times. My Granada was backed into my first week here at Starbucks and my 73 was rear ended a few years ago. To me, it's too stressful driving the 02 defensively every day but it's not like LA everywhere. So if you must, my only advice is to get the loudest horn you can. GL