tires and wheels Mystery Malaysian Wide Body 2002's...????

[schmick02]

I’ve been trying for some years to unravel a mystery surrounding wide bodied 2002’s I saw in Malaysia many years ago.

Back in 1980 I spent 6 months working in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I had an interest in 02’s then, having previously test driven a few cars at home in Melbourne– ultimately buying my trusty tii on my return that same year.

Whilst away I was intrigued to observe a number of instances of a 2002 model that seemed peculiar to Malaysia – or possibly that part of South East Asia. These cars were all badged as tii’s and appeared very new – a lot newer than the 5 years since the recognised end of model date. Importantly – these cars all sported flared guards – not turbo style flares but something more discrete akin to Alpina flares – but more squared off. The wheels were of the e21 type / offset – hence the flares. On enquiry of a local – I was told that the motors had the k-Jet injection – not the k’fish. Obviously – they were RHD. Interestingly – I do not recall seeing any e21’s around at the time – and I somehow reached a conclusion that they were running out a 02 stockpile with this hybrid model in this out of the way market where they had not made the e21 readily available.

Has anybody else ever seen, heard or have info on these cars. I know records as per Mike Macartney’s numbers don’t recognise these cars. Does anyone know if 02’s were assembled anywhere else on the planet other than Germany. If not Malaysia – maybe South Africa or Argentina or somewhere else where they buy up the old plant and presses for superseded models – and in this case customised to stamp guards with flares?

Any leads out there?

Mac

Tii - daily ride for 25 years

[oz_tom]

Mac, wrong forum :-P j/k ;-)

They sound like some nice as cars. Are there any Malaysians on the board?

[oz_tom]

Sorry Mac, check your email...

[Mike Self]

BMW has been assembling CKD cars in Thailand for some years, but I don't think that operation began until after the 2002 era was over. BMW did build some fairly weird variants in South Africa from the late 60s on--I've heard of a "4 door" 2002 (a 2004?) but never seen pictures.

The cars you saw could have been tweaked up 1502s--the local importer bought up a batch of cars at the end of production and had 'em locally modified--but that's purely a guess.

All sorts of strange things can happen in countries where cars are expensive and labor is cheap...

mike

[Guest Anonymous]

BMW has been assembling CKD cars in Thailand for some years, but I don't think that operation began until after the 2002 era was over. BMW did build some fairly weird variants in South Africa from the late 60s on--I've heard of a "4 door" 2002 (a 2004?) but never seen pictures.

The cars you saw could have been tweaked up 1502s--the local importer bought up a batch of cars at the end of production and had 'em locally modified--but that's purely a guess.

All sorts of strange things can happen in countries where cars are expensive and labor is cheap...

mike

Around 800 bmw 02 CKD were assembled in Uruguay. A few thousands assembled in Portugal as well. In South Africa, they had around 20.000 Bmw 1804/2004 produced, based on the Glass 1700.

Never heard of any special Malaysian version, but interesting if that's the case. It's quite difficult to find any info on those CKDs.

Cheers from Switzerland.

[andrewro]

MT stated to the PO that my car was likely a Uraguayan CKD car. It's a '72 but the serial reads like a 60's 1600 and doesn't match anything MT has on file. FWIW the car has a Moorkens underhood plate.

[Guest Anonymous]

MT stated to the PO that my car was likely a Uraguayan CKD car. It's a '72 but the serial reads like a 60's 1600 and doesn't match anything MT has on file. FWIW the car has a Moorkens underhood plate.

All BMW pre-80 delivered in Belgium had the Moorkens VIN plate, with

normal in sequence VIN number. I have a Tii Touring with a Moorkens plate #3430024.

750 2002 and around 75 1602 were produced as CKD in Uruguay,

their VIN sequence is indeed not included in the well known BMW

production list.