Buying a 1976 2002 any tips?

[Guest Anonymous]

HELLO,

I'm thinking of buying a 1976 2002,

Don't know much about them.

is there any thing special to look out for? recurring problems? weaknesses? usual cover ups? etc?

many thanks for all advice!

[Guest Anonymous]

oh.. by the way.. here it is...

http://seattle.craigslist.org/car/148334121.html

[cowlum]

It looks pretty good in the pictures. Normaly I dont concern myself as much with the mechanicals as I do with the body and interior. Mechanicals are cheap and often easily fixed.

http://www.bimmers.com/02/intro/buyer_guide.html

http://www.bmw2002.co.uk/technical.htm

look 1/2 way down the page with the second link

regards

[Guest bruno74tii]

Here's a start to understanding what you're looking at and for. http://www.bimmers.com/02/intro/buyer_guide.html Check for bondo, paintwork, obvious rust or rust repai. Peel back the carpet and check the floor pans; look in the trunk at the rear wheel wells and underneath the engine compartment at the frame rails. Perhaps you have found a great deal, but be aware that you can spend a lot repairing poor work if you don't DIY.

[Guest Anonymous]

thanx guys.. great info!

[VaderDave]

I assume you're in Seattle, so I dunno if this applies to you, but in CA 1976 model year and later cars will have to pass smog forever. This is a recent change to the law. It's also part of the reason I scrapped my 1976 body (it had issues anyway) and found a nice clean 1975 body to put the good stuff on.

[Guest Anonymous]

'have to pass smog'?

Do you mean emmisions testing?

I think all cars have to do that here every two years anyway, so, no dramas. (I think)

but thanks for the heads up, I'll mention it to the seller.

[VaderDave]

Yeah, I meant emissions. In CA it used to be the rule that once a car hit 30 years old it didn't have to pass emissions testing anymore. They changed that rule, essentially freezing it at 1976. A lot of auto enthusiasts with later model years were pretty upset, since it would have been just a couple more years before they were exempt.

/threadjack

[Guest Anonymous]

A little research suggests that they only test cars 25 years or younger. so should be ok.

[ingraham]

all model year 1976 and newer cars are subject to test. That will not change unless the legislature changes the law. (Testing requirements vary somewhat by geographic region.)

[ewfuwgtp]

Cars in the state of Washington state are exempt from emission testing after 25 years. I just put my 320i through for the last time.

That's a great looking 2002. You should buy it before I come over from Spokane and buy it!

Tom

[Mike Self]

They had issues with the "bungholes" in the drivers/passengers floor pans. These holes were used in the mfg process to support the floorpan while the body was being assembled, and also as drains when the body was dipped in primer. then they were sealed with metal "twist-lock" plugs. On the 76s (only, apparently) the sealer used on the plugs was substandard, allowing moisture to get around 'em, eventually rusting the plugs and allowing water to accumulate under the carpet. End result: a Flintstonemobile.

Carefully check around these two plugs from underneath the car--poke with a screwdriver/tap (lightly, of course) with a hammer to make sure they're sealed and the metal is sound.

Good luck

mike

[Guest Anonymous]

Didn't hear back from the seller... think it may be gone..

[Guest Anonymous]

well this site says different:

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/cars/emischeckfaqs.htm#Does%20my%20vehicle%20need%20an%20emission%20test[/url]

[ingraham]

(nt)