Hello everybody! Just to refresh your memory, I’m Gary Hesse, and I’m the original owner/builder of this BMW 2002.
With regards to the transmission, this close-ratio 5-speed was purchased (used) through Hyde Park BMW in Los Angeles CA and was imported (certified) out of a BMW 2002 ti wrecked in Germany with 20K kM on it. I disassembled it to the piece, and after the whole enchilada was thoroughly cleaned, the aluminum parts were zygloded and all steel parts were magnafluxed. All bearings and synchros were replaced (along with gaskets). Any part showing wear or cracks from the inspection process were replaced also; so were some of the shift rod bronze bushings. It was assembled in a constant temperature environment so that no part temperature fluxuations would indicate specification out-of-tolerance measurement s (CTE variations).
I also shortened the driveshaft and installed the rear cross member according to BMW specifications.
When I and the second owner owned the car, the transmission performed flawlessly, as I would say that it would today.
You have always been able to ‘slightly beat’ the first to second gear synchros on a 245/5 CR gearbox if going banzai!!!!!!! Remember, these cars and the CR 5 speed were for racing. First gear was a starting gear and the gearbox’s advantage was to keep the engine in the power band while on the track (gears 2-5).
As I built this transmission, I preloaded (with shims) the lay shaft with consideration of the transmission’s expected temperature (coefficient of thermal expansion) expansion. Aluminum cases expand more than the steel gear sets, so preloading a tapered bearing makes no sense!!
As I have been told by this vehicle’s present owner, he also has a totally refurbished identical close ratio 5- speed transmission available to the new owner.
In the 1970’s and 1980’s, this car was (and is) period correct. It was built, with respect to my pocketbook, to the FIA Homologation Certification (as far as I went), of which I still have a photocopy!!
In the 1970’s, these BMW’s (race prepared) competed in the Under 2-Liter Trans Am Series in the US (U-2L) – many times run with the 5-Liter Trans AM cars.
A Datsun 510 retailed for $2k at that time , and you could get the parts for a full race engine, a CR 5-speed and roll cage and everything else for about $3K from BRE (Brock Racing Enterprises, a quasi-subsidiary of Datsun (now Nissan)). Many of these cars are not around as they have had their chassis’ raced to hell and are no longer road worthy.
The other competitor was the Alfa Romeo GTV, with either the single or twin spark plug configuration. Alfa parts were always about 2 to 3 times the price of BMW parts!!!
Today, you can race a BMW 2002 for a year in the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of America (VARA) for the cost of an Alfa GTV engine or transmission rebuild!!
I hope that this will shed some light as to what was going on in the 1970’s and early 1980’s.
Also, as a price reality check, when I came back to the US in 1974 and took this (almost) new BMW off of the blocks in my parents garage in Pasadena CA (after almost 3 years in the Viet Nam conflict), I bought a small house in San Clemente, CA, on a canyon with a backyard full of pine and eucalyptus trees with a view of San Clemente Island for $US 17K. I still have the house and its worth more than $US 700K today.
If you want a part of enjoyable history and want a BMW to be a part of it, this is a great deal. If you want to just watch your monthly bank/stock portfolio, get a good broker. You can’t take it with you, and as long as I’m still here, I’ll be available to help with you with the car.
I’m now 60 years of age, retired and a major cancer survivor (Stage 1, Phase 1 Cancer)! It’s all gone! I’d love to get this BMW 2002 (ti) with you driving it out on the track along with my BMW 2800 Alpina and recreate the early 1970’s track times!
As long as I’m still around, I’ll always be available to help the current owner obtain the maximum performance out of the vehicle and/or help any subsequent owner with the vehicle’s history.
Despite what anyone says, this BMW 2002 is period correct to the 1970’s, with the exception of the wheels and tires.
Gary A. Hesse