photog02

I've been following this for some time. Interesting little car co-developed by Subaru (hence the boxer engine). I've read some awesome reviews of how it drives/handles, but I wonder if it will be as hard to work on as other Subarus?

I'm fond of Blackstone Labs: http://www.blackstone-labs.com. They have a quick turnaround, their price is decent, and they include a good summary of their findings.

Listen to c.d.: there are a lot of old wives' tales about synthetic oil. I ran Mobil1 15W-50 in my first 2002 and am running Brad Penn 20W-50 in my current 2002. Some oil myths: http://www.texlube.com/oilmyths.htm

I'm curious but, of course, it all depends on price.

I have the standard Motive bleeder and love it. It gets used on my F-150 and BMWs with only a change of the end-cap fitting needed. The only issues I have with it are minor: the swivel cap would have been nice (but it is not too big of a PITA) and a certain blue brake fluid stained the clear hoses after one use.

give it back to BMWFS at the end of the lease and walk away after you shoot yer load- fast . DO NOT OWN ONE!

I thought that was the rule with all new BMWs...

I forgot to add how much I used to like reading Grassroots Motorsports. It looks like they are still around. Their website has a ton of information as well.

I get all the major mags (C&D, R&T, Automobile), but Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car is the only one I read. It has great information, how-tos, and good writing. The CCA's Satch Carlson has a column there as well.

It really says how deep you are in the 2002 mess whether your first thought is "all right!" or "that could scratch!"

I use that stuff on the weather stripping on our E46 3 and used to use it on the weather stripping and convertible top seals for my former Z3. It does a great job swelling and reconditioning rubber trim. I got the best result from using it twice a year, and especially before winter.

E-mail sent re: fuel pump inertia switch.

What transmission is in the car? You have a cable-driven speedometer (unless something very interesting was done to it), so that is where I would start. What are your other gauges (electric) doing?

As someone with a tii, I can appreciate a carb'd model. I appreciate the mechanical beauty of the fuel injection setup, but a ti is just as wonderful. Honestly, the sound is probably better as well.

How about consumables and such? Amazon sells Brad Penn oil (yeah, I know... fad), oil filters, spark plugs, wires, etc.

Since you got three replies in two minutes that all agree, I think you have a starting point. If you are like me and cannot solder, you can always use quick connectors and link all this up to have one good ground to the firewall.

My mess of ground wiring:

It sounds like you've got a ground issue. The ground wire for the panel, or where it connects, may be corroded.

You should check out this thread and the posts towards the bottom.

That was one of my favorite episodes, but I am biased seeing as how much I love Jensen Interceptors. The idea of a modernized (as much as possible) Interceptor is pretty awesome. Too bad the price tag is just as awesome.

At least I can have the mustache.

wow:

$160 for $5 worth of plywood from Home Depot and $10 worth of vinyl from local fabric store + shipping

give me a break

Looks like somebody hasn't purchased high quality vinyl or plywood in about 25 years.

troll

Or priced out interior work.

About 10 miles for my first 2002. My second was about 750 each way trip, but I was pretty certain I was going to get it.

Congratulations, and great find! I originally went looking for an E30 for my daily driver (even had the missus sold on the idea) when I found my current 2002. I would still love to have one, especially if I could find as good of a deal as you did!

That is in amazingly good condition; most of the E21s I see are either beater cars or have been cannibalized by 2002 owners. It is interesting to see how BMW went through an awkward design phase with their interiors. That IP and center console looks like a halfway point in evolution between the 2002 and the E30...

I'm with you. I like driving 2002s. With a turbo, I would constantly be worried about harming the value of it.

I'd buy a nice ($4-6k) car that wasn't very original, but nice,

ideally with a blown motor and gorgeous paint and shiny stuff

and then put a more modern turbo system into it.

And I'd keep it as stealthy as I could while still getting the

exhaust out and the power down.

Second this wholeheartedly. I was out there last month and went to both Valley of Fire and Red Rock. Both are worth it. If you have some major free time, Zion National Park isn't that far away...

two quick fun drives:

lakeshore blvd east out of vegas, left on northshore drive, drive along lake mead to the valley of fire. 3-4 hour round trip from the strip

charleston blvd west out of vegas, right on scenic loop drive through red rock canyon. 2-2.5 hour round trip from the strip.

these are parts of vegas 99.5% of the visitors don't see, great scenery.

I'll add some dissent and say you should go to 15". The car can handle it and performance tires are much easier to find in 15" as opposed to 14". That being said, if you aren't going to put some extreme summer tires on and want all-seasons, then 13" or 14" will be fine.