first bmw 2002!

[glyif]

Just got my first bmw 2002! It's a 1973, decent shape. Some cosmetic rust. Engine just swapped out with an M10 with 100k miles, few other parts replaced as well. Original paint

 

Car has some damage to the front left fender, attached a pic

 

Car has a minor oil leak and coolant leak I think. Getting that fixed later this week.

 

Planning on ripping entire interior and redoing.

 

Runs great though!

 

Oh forgot to mention, it has 15 in BBS wheels.

 

Super noob when it comes to BMWs and 2002s, will be asking a lot of questions here

 

Any tips?

 

Looking forward to meeting you all

 

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

 

[Jim_75Sahara]

Congratulations! I assume that you are somewhere in California. You're in luck, there are lots of 2002 owners in your state and a number of shops that cater to classic BMW owners. 

 

First word of advice: make sure that your '02 is safe & reliable. Worry about the looks of your car later on... You must have good brakes, shocks, tires, hoses, belts, etc. Make sure that the cooling system is doing its job properly. Take it out on relatively short drives to shake out the trouble spots. The more you drive it, the more you will notice things that are amiss and need attention. Also, get in touch with local '02 owners; they'll be very happy to help you and will be eager to include you in the fun of ownership. Pretty quickly, your goal will be true road-worthiness: i.e. - - going on road trips with friends, gatherings with like-minded 2002 owners... 

 

Have FUN.

[zinz]

Fun!!  Looks like good start!

 

...I'll just leave this here 

 

 

Enjoy your car!!

 

Ed

[Mike Self]

Welcome to the fraternity/sorority...lotsa good advice on the board and it the archives; take advantage of both to educate yourself.  

 

It appears to be an automatic that's been converted (hopefully) to a 5 speed or at least a 4 speed.  If the VIN begins with a 253 rather than a 258/259, then it was originally an automatic as the badge on the rear panel says.  

 

+1 on Jim's comments above--get it good and mechanically reliable--and safe--then mess with the cosmetics. That crunched fender looks as if the car lost a wheel, which then jammed itself between the front suspension and the fender while the car was moving.  You might want to check the front suspension on that side just to make sure nothing under there is either bent or damaged.  

 

Nice E21 Recaros in front too.  BTW. if you ever decide to reupholster the back seat, PM me; I'd be interested in the old material--I'd use it to repair my original seats.  

 

Cheers, and again, welcome.

 

mike

PS--as folks on the board will tell you, that red valve cover is good for at least 10 mph additional top speed ;-)

Edited March 20, 2018 by mike

[glyif]

@mike yup! converted to 5 spd manual. im gonna replace the brake pads and rotors this weekend. Car had bilstein structs and IE shocks. I'm def thinking about reupholstering the back, and def the front. i'll let you know

 

[joebarthlow]

nice!

 

[OriginalOwner]

CONGRATS !!

 

the license plate says Kali, so we'all are naturally curious if that is true.  And if so, whereabouts ??

 

Cheers,

 

Carl

 

[glyif]

@OriginalOwner i'm in oakland by lake merritt

[larryt]

congratulations and welcome, love the patina on the paint, leave it as it is

[Joe2002]

Congrats!!  Looks like a solid start!  wish I could have found something this clean lol