engine and drivetrain Thinking of buying a 1975 bmw 2002...

[pho23]

Ok guys here goes. I've been on this board and others for quite some time now, doing as much reading as I possibly can about 2002. I also been looking around for one, so if you know of any in the LA Cali (91206)area let me know.

I need to start by saying I'm not to good as a machanic so I'm not looking for one that need a lot of mechanical work. I've been to The M shop in Eagle rock california and talked to Mike Brown, he seems to know a lot about 2002. He has quite a few that he's working on, so i dont want to keep buggin him with all my questions.

So I've been eyeing this 1975 BMW 2002 his asking price is $3400. This is the post.

"this car is in great shape. it's ready to be a daily driver. it's very solid machanically. '89 318i engine with a weber 3036 dgav carb. new bosch ignition (everything), new radiator, new brake master, tranny and clutch are in fine order, and the best thing- straight manifold, no smog. obviously the car is in good cosmetic shape. look at the pictures. good interior as well. and an alpine cd receiver with a 200 watt pioneer amp.

ready to drive away."

Please take a look at the pictures that I have posted and tell me if that is truely a 318 engine. Or how can I tell if it is. I mean dont get me wrong I'll probably have Mike take a look at the car before I decide to purchase it but I just thought I'd get additional opinions before then.

Thanks in advance for any info. Oh and these are the only pictures he had posted.

[Guest Anonymous]

An '89 with a Weber carb? Sounds weird to say the least. Probably a good idea to have a well versed 02'er check it out for you first.

[JohnW]

Definitely not from an 89 318i. The 84-85 318i had a 1.8 version of the M10, IIRC.

[cowlum]

Is it not possible to take a 318 block and head, mount the 02 intake, exhaust and electrics?

The seller has probably done just that..

but then im no expert.

[Mike Self]

1. If you're going for authenticity the car's engine # should match the VIN. Also, the interior appears to have non-original (but nice) seat upholstery and door panels, and the wheels are E30. All of this is not necessarily bad, just not original. If you're not concerned about originality, don't worry about it.

2. As has been pointed out, there's no such thing as a US 1989 318i. Best thing to do is get the serial number off the engine (stamped on a flat spot just above the point where the starter is bolted to the block) and check with a BMW dealer to determine its origin. From the pictures it appears to have a squarelight valve cover and a tii exhaust manifold, so it's entirely possible that it's a non 2002 block mated with 2002 externals. But a 318 engine is 1.8 liters vs 2.0, and with carburation you're gonna lose some hp with the smaller engine.

3. I know it's in CA, but nevertheless inspect the car scrupulously for rust, especially in all the notorious spots. Cars, like owners, do migrate to CA from other parts of the country. This one might have grown up in Massachusetts or Michigan, the heart of salt country...

All in all, and admittedly without seeing the car in person, the asking price might be just a little high...remember, you need to convince the seller he needs to sell worse than you need to buy...

good luck with your search

mike

[esty]

if it's as good as it looks, and it looks like a really nice car, that's a great car at a great price and i'd jump on it regardless of the motor... as long as it's a solid runner...

one things that's great about the 75, it's smog exempt in CA

BTW...i love those seats

[Paul7002]

(nt)

[BarryA]

correctly (it's kinda blurry in the photo), but if the first digit is a "5" followed by 3 letters, then 3 numbers, the plate was almost certainly issued by the CA DMV within the last 12-18 months (look around at the new cars you see around town - they'll all have plates that start with a "5".

The recently issued plate doesn't necessary mean that the car just came in from out of state (it might have had battered original CA blue plates or the front plate missing, and the PO might have decided to put on nice new ones), or it might have come from another dry place like AZ or NV, but I've always considered a very recent plate change on an older car as a sort of warning sign of the possibiltiy of a recently arrived rust belt special.

[76malaga02]

Dont know much, but if you are talking to Mike Brown, you have picked a winner. Knows the 02's inside and out. I live in Duarte, not too far from Ireland Eng, also great folks, but different kind of of place. Mike worked on my Car when he was at 2002AD, and I worked in Burbank, Now 2002AD is in Pomona and I work in Glendora. But Mike is the man, I think the last work he did for me was get me smogged, my cylinder head had a crack in it, and my thermal reactor (i was told could not be repaired) was repaired. This was for Dec 2005 tags. Daily, daily daily driver, all oover LA County.

[76malaga02]

Oh, and about the car looks great, but the motor does not look like anything other than an 02 motor. The price may look a little high but consider this, Not knowing anything I bought mine in 1998 for 1500.00, thought it was a steal, but the electr. mag. valves on the fire wall were left open, after three months of driving burnt valve, drove it for about 2 years on three cylinders, finally, the neighborhood mechanic had the head rebuilt, new pistons rings, etc, put evertything back the way he found it , 3 months later burnt valves. All is well now but I learned the hardway. If Mike says yes I would grab it.

[pho23]

Wow, thanks for all the info. Well it seems that there is a new post and this one look even better that the 75 02. Tell me what you guys think..

This one is a 74 '02.

Here is the post:

"I'm selling my classic because i am getting ready to travel and don't want it sitting around. I drive it everyday currently so it is a great daily driver. it runs really well and needs nothing.

the interior upholstry and exterior paint have been re-done recently and look great. i just put a complete new four-disc brake system in it for $900. i have papers on all the work i have done, but i have not needed to do anything. it also has an alpine cd player in it.

this car runs amazingly smooth at 80 mph. the suspension in these cars are fantasic. the shocks are in great shape and it handles really well.

please email for any questions or more photos. great car and very hip to be seen in."

[Guest Anonymous]

Regarding a few posts back. I thought the last year to avoid the CA smog check was 1974? 1975 would still have to pass smog, I believe... That fact alone would heavily lean in favor of the '74.

[Senna27]

Nooooooooooo... Don't do it... 2002 Owners are weird!

[76malaga02]

Thanks to Arnold, yes you do, for now, forever.

76malaga02

[76malaga02]

Oops. Yes you do, for now, now and forever. Thanks to Arnold