Room for four, a brilliant suspension, and a rev-happy fuel-injected engine made BMW’s 2002 tii a game changer. This tidy-looking two-door sedan in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania seeks a new owner for the first time in 25 years, according to the listing here on Hagerty. At least twelve bids have its auction value over $16,000 with about four days left. Though mostly stock, the little Verona red rider apparently started its life with Colorado orange paint, but it retains its original engine block, always a plus. Interestingly, my 1972 tii was also born in Colorado and experienced a color change to Verona, though I’m taking mine back to original. The “tii” designation indicates Touring International Injection. There were sporty “ti” models before, and fuel injection added about 30 HP to the 2.0 L four cylinder M10. You could easily spend the rest of today marveling at the Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection system. Thanks to reader T.J. for spotting this sporty classic.
The presence of a snorkel (the circular opening just right of the radiator) indicates a replacement nose joined the chat after a front crash (most likely) or heavy rust ruined the original non-snorkel front. Debates about the snorkel run on in epic detail in the halls of auction sites, but unless you’re looking for accolades at Amelia Island, close the bonnet and forget about it. There’s too much to love about a 2002 tii to dwell on a vent tube. Other points of note include the early serial number, 2760334, the 334th tii built. Plastic air tubes on the plenum intake appear only on early tii cars (including my 2761041) before they changed to cast aluminum. Early tii units (through 2761943) also had a more desirable 121TI cylinder head, with a smaller combustion chamber and higher compression.
Basketweave upholstery and salt-and-pepper carpeting look original (or original style) and well kept. A crack in the dashboard afflicts nearly all 2002s, and this is no exception. Only the tii got the clock in the dash center, which makes a distinctive noise you can enjoy while waiting for that special someone. A simple four-speed with no overdrive sends power to the independently suspended rear wheels.
The 2002’s tall greenhouse makes it practical for family touring, and excellent visibility helps whether you’re squirting through traffic or fending off a pesky Porsche at VIR.
You can’t see a Pennsylvania plate on a 2002 without wondering if it’s enjoyed any time with 2002 wizard Paul Wegweiser, and indeed this one bears a sticker from Paul’s Wegweiser Classic BMW Services, something fans value. Only 1972 and ’73 bear the round tail lights, and these “roundies” are preferred by most enthusiasts for that reason and smaller bumpers compared to the ’74 to ’76 models. BMW built on the strength of the 2002 by following it up with its most popular sporting sedan of all times, the 3-series. Is there room in your driveway for this driver-quality classic sports sedan?
Got time in two of these and I can attest to just plain fun to drive. Nice one here.
Todd, got a picture of yours you’d share with us?
This is my ’72 tii. More or less current state… fabrication of my poor man’s rotisserie (two modified $35 engine stands).
Have any Pictures of yours, bobhess?
Somehow, the site knows what cars came through my life, more than uncanny. After my ’68 Opel Rallye, I was thrown into the sports car world, albeit, the Opel was on the low end, but it had a tachometer and suddenly, I began noticing foreign sports cars. That’s when I got my ’71 MGB. A good friend had a Vega GT, and one day, came up with this car, same color only a ’73. Never heard of one, blew us all away. BMW motorcycles, but not many cars. Remember, Beer City in the 70s, it was VW, Opel, Renault, MGs and Triumphs, but never a BMW. I remember it cost him plenty, and I wasn’t particularly impressed, not a fancy car, IRS sure handled nice, the engine blew the doors off my poor MG, but alas, the MG had the last grin. Early on, the BMW began grinding into 2nd, BMW repaired it, but about 6 months later, it began to grind again, and by then it was starting to use oil, a LOT of oil. Seemed a shame only couple years old, and he took it back, the dealer had it a long time, he ended up just bailing on the car altogether, and the old pushrod MG chugged on for several years to a timely, rusted demise.
Hey Howard. My first experience with a 2002 was looking one over for a friend in the ’90s. We test-drove it and (having grown up with RWD live-axle cars) I couldn’t believe how this rusty BMW could barely notice a set of RR tracks that would have knocked my fillings out in practically every car I’d ever driven. They are wonderful cars. I’ve never actually driven mine, but I’m looking forward to it!
Clever engineering on your part with the 2 engine stands Ala rotisserie, Todd.
Too, great pick-had an older brother with one of these (same color, later model) that led to his ‘72 Porsche later on because of the realization of the (then) craftsmanship and driver’s car designed for which they became renowned at the time.
This one’s a beaut, and if someone were to get so finicky as to have to have a plastic air tube you’d think it’d be a smart move to have one duplicated with a 3D printer.
It’s cool that you are so well versed about these and others that you know the idiosyncrasies of your subject matter, and then again that’s true of all your team each in their own respect-one of the many reasons BF has the staunch following it does.