need advice 1976 purchase

[Cruzr]

Rust is the hidden enemy, price should be determined after a closer examination of the under carriage, including frame rails, shock towers and rockers.

 

If those check out, fenders are easy to replace. Then offer 2.5k - 5k.

 

My 02 cents...

[Crashgordan]

3 hours ago, TobyB said:

Yup, 3-5k is in line with current markets.

 

And the plates under the hood will say 2002/2002tii just to cover all bases.

 

BIGREDFLAG- if you are in California, you will have to smog a '76, and that is both difficult

and a big hit on resale value.

 

Good luck- it looks like a decent candidate.

 

t

awesome.  thank you.  I'm in TN and our county requires emissions testing as well.  but there are some provisions for vintage or antique vehicles.  i'll look into it.  

[Crashgordan]

thank you all!

 

excellent info and advice/perspective from all of you.  

 

I actually would never low ball an offer to him, I will either accept what he suggests or move on. 

if he presses i'll explain my research and the vast unknowns to get her road worthy. 

he's a reasonable buy and has a lot of vintage cars in his barn, this happens to be the one i would consider taking on.

 

and I would definitely hand him the keys anytime once she's on the road again regardless.  

 

we shall see what happens.  it's been a topic of discussion for a couple years and i finally got the grudging nod from the wife to maybe bring her home.  

 

 

 

[Flamingo 5]

Think of the worst case scenario :

rusted to hell and back, transmission shot, engine frozen

brakes, suspension, drive shaft

and interior need replacing.

Now what’s it worth ??

[Conserv]

Arktisblau metallic is, indeed, a rare color on ‘02’s. A deep blue metallic, it’s generally considered a desirable color, albeit, as previously mentioned, it does not have the high profile of an Inka or Golf.

 

The issue I have, personally, with the medium-to-dark blue exterior colors is that many of the U.S.-bound cars got black all-vinyl interiors to go with these blue exteriors. Black and blue is not optimal. The Euro-spec versions generally came with gray cloth-and-vinyl or all-vinyl interiors, a better solution. But beige and saddle interiors often make the best combinations with these darker blues...

 

Ohh...you’re saying “Who the hell asked you?”

 

Yes. Good point!

 

$2.5K to $4K seems fair to me if it is not a rust bucket. This car needs a lot! Where did the car live it’s life after Germany? That might give us a better picture of the rust prospects.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

Edited February 11, 2019 by Conserv

[rcf925]

I know what it's like buying from family members, I bought my 68 project that had been sitting in nephews garage in pieces for about 20 years, But zero rust, Lots of extra stuff.  He said 5k I said OK. He's been tremendously helpful and I couldn't be happier. When I get done he can drive it anytime he wants, We both just wanted to see it finished and on the road

[Mike Self]

Coupla things to consider:  

1.  before making an offer, make sure the engine isn't stuck.  A stuck engine makes the whole project several magnitudes more complicated--and expensive.  Even if you were able to unstick it, you'd be worried about damaged rings, rust in the bores etc until you dismantled the engine.  Chance are it won't be stuck--a friend and I found a '75 that had been sitting in an Ohio driveway for 15 years--uncovered, and the engine turned over slick as can be--and we got it running with nothing more than a carb rebuild and fuel system flush. 

 

2.  Given the rust on the front fenders...76s have a reputation for rust around the large drain plugs in the front floorboards.  Apparently the sealer wasn't much good and allowed water to intrude under the sound deadening, rusting out the floor un-noticed.  So in addition to all the other typical 02 rust spots, carefully examine those plugs in the front floors from underneath the car.  

 

And....+ what everyone else said.

 

mike

Edited February 11, 2019 by mike

[chargin]

As a fellow 76 owner in California I'd think this car would be in the $2k - $3k, that being said you're not in CA so actually I'd call that a solid $2k in TN. It might seem a little low but the truth is the car has sat undriven for so long it will probably need:

• Flat Bed tow
• Fuel tank and system flush
• Fuel Filter
• Brake system flush
• Brake Master
• Brake Cylinders 
• Clutch master
• Clutch Slave
• Carb Rebuild 
• Oil change Filter
• Cooling flush and hose inspection
• Air Filter
• A/C recharge
• Plan on electrical gremlins from it sitting so long
• Tires

 

By modern car costs all these will be very low in comparison but as you can see the list will definitely add up 

 

Don't think I'm hating on your project, actually I think it's great and I would buy it in a Second!

 

How my 76 came to me at $2900 4 years ago with fresh paint in SoCal land of the over priced 02's 

 

 

Now:

 

 

 

 

Best Wishes 

 

 

Edited February 11, 2019 by chargin

[02Les]

3 hours ago, Crashgordan said:

awesome.  thank you.  I'm in TN and our county requires emissions testing as well.  but there are some provisions for vintage or antique vehicles.  i'll look into it.  

Pop on down to me (Coffee County), no inspections, no nothing. If they had emissions here half the vehicles would disappear!!

[Mike Self]

You're not far from Asheville and Vintage--and there's plenty of time to get it roadworthy for Vintage...see you there.

 

mike

[joebarthlow]

buy and read this book

 

https://www.amazon.com/Ran-When-Parked-Resurrected-Road-Tripped/dp/099895070X

[Simeon]

1 hour ago, joebarthlow said:

buy and read this book

 

https://www.amazon.com/Ran-When-Parked-Resurrected-Road-Tripped/dp/099895070X

 

... and this one:

 

https://www.amazon.com/BMW-02-Restoration-Guide-Guides/dp/1855204517

 

[irdave]

It's family, especially if you kinda' like they guy.  I might get a decent idea of how much it would cost to make it run again- a real number.  Then you can talk with him about how much you think it would cost just to put it back on the road.  He might be thinking it would a couple hundred dollars, not realizing it's probably a fair bit more.  Then he knows what you're looking at.  And depends on if he needs the money or not...

[Jim_75Sahara]

My unsolicited opinion: If I were your uncle, I'd either give it to you FREE or for a token $1000 or similar figure. I'd feel quite attached to that '02. Therefore, I'd want it to be loved, refurbished, DRIVEN and LOVED some more. I'm definitely not knocking him or this particular 2002, it's just good to see them preserved and enjoyed by a younger generation of '02 owners. This '02 could become a beautiful blast of a car, but it will need a lot of time, money and effort to make it safe, reliable, comfortable and fun to drive again.  

 

GOOD LUCK. I hope that you are driving it soon!

[worzella]

Tangential but a question... said uncle bought car when stationed in Germany but vin tag says 2002/2002tii USA

 

Did US servicemen/women buy from some US dealerships in Germany. Just curious why this wasn’t a homeland Euro model

 

But I suppose knowing it was heading to US the dealer provided US model

 

Or maybe the good ole days where you could knock on BMW factory door and maybe buy one direct??

 

Just curious - Randy