tires and wheels 1972 BMW 2002 at Michigan auction

[LJtii]

I recently received a catalog for an auction to be held in Plymouth, MI towards the end of this month. One of the early lots is a 1972 BMW 2002, VIN2581201. It is a Golf Yellow/ black car that is said to have been repainted and with no accident history. It has 14" ATS wheels, sport seats, a replacement steering wheel, driving lights, and looks like a very nice car. The estimated price, however, is shown as being "$40,000 - $60,000." I can't help but wonder, where do these estimated prices come from? What price guide or sales history would lead anyone to imagine that might be an accurate price range for a roundie in a desirable color that is not a Tii?

 

Now, the car does not have a reserve price on it, hence it will sell for whatever the top bid might be, but down the road - assuming no one is induced to keep on bidding as long as the hammer price is still within the estimated range - if this car and others at the sale do not bring what the auction company thinks it should, there will no doubt be all kinds of talk as to how the collector car market has peaked, since a number of auction cars were unable to meet their expected price range. And that causes anyone contemplating a purchase to consider waiting, and that itself can become the catalyst for the slowdown in collector car enjoyment.

 

It's ironic that miscalculated prices by the auction companies themselves can be blamed for what will no doubt be thrown at the feet of the buyers themselves, as if they simply do not have confidence in the marketplace. Confidence? Yes. A willingness to overspend to meet a ridiculous target? NO.

 

Anyone who wants to look at the catalog photos and description of the car can do so by Googling:  1972-bmw-2002/1076207 

[esty]

any & all forms of advertising is ever what it appears to be...it's hype

[auggiemize]

Thanks for sharing the link...price seems strong...and I can't argue your comments...he might have $35K in it, but that doesn't mean its now worth north of $40K...Nice car tho. Among the "tasteful upgrades" are the flag mirrors and red center taillights, I guess...I do like me some ATS wheels tho...so if anyone here buys the car and wants to lose those hideous, aftermarket wheels, I'm game....Dave V. in NC

[Henning]

Hmmm...

 

My guess: she's had a nose job. Pic #2: aiming between the two black relais (fixing??) on the left to the radiator wall, there's a horizontal dent to the inside in the wall. This is where 73+ cars have the front line of the battery tray welded to. In -72 cars the tray is sitting nearly directly on the frame rail what's much deeper. Or did 72 US 02s have the battery located that high?

 

Cheap air cleaner solution. Pedals misaligned. Boring center console. Wrong speedo! Kick panel carpet damaged. Inner door levers too low. Underdash panel missing.

 

$40k? Ok, ok...

 

Hen

[Mike Self]

Lotsa little things that aren't correct for a 72 in addition to those mentioned--of course the carbs (that VIN car should have still had a single barrel Solex), '73-only front bumper guards & no rear bumper guards at all, squarelight license plate light setup, back seat and valve cover.  And the front seats, while nicely upholstered to look like 2002 sports seats are E21 320is seats.   

 

No denying it's a pretty car, but for anywhere near that kinda money it should be a low mileage original, a correct restoration, a very nice, correct tii or something exotic like a Turbo.  

 

But with no reserve...someone may get a deal!

 

cheers

mike