Inka Orange Estate Find: 1973 BMW 2002 Tii

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Normally, I recoil a bit with listings where the opening bid seems high, but this 1973 BMW 2002 Tii seems like it’s worthy of a generous starting point. The 2002 has a lot going for it, from its color to its equipment list. It also appears to be OEM-correct in all the right places with some desirable upgrades already made, including Recaro seats from an E21 chassis 3-Series and Bilstein shock absorbers. The 2002 more importantly appears to be a largely solid example with no major rust concerns, at least based on the photos. The opening bid is $19,999 with no action yet.

You may notice the badge adjustment on the truck lid; the seller notes that a previous owner wanted to convert this 2002 to 1502 specs. I’m not sure what the endgame was here other than making the car look like it was a true European specification model, but usually enthusiasts do that to make their car appear to have more desirable options than what it came with as a U.S. model. A 2002 Tii is absolutely a superior car to a 1602, so I’d swap back to the correct 2002 Tii badge if this were my car. In keeping with the European market modifications, the seller notes that this car comes with a Euro-spec rear bumper with license plate lights, along with wheels and a gas tank claimed to be from a 2002 Turbo.

The interior is what you’d expect in any 2002 regardless of the builder’s intent, as it features the desirable Recaro seats that came standard in an E21 3-Series with the factory sport package. Fun fact: someone of these seats came stamped with the BMW roundel logo on the sides and others did not; in general, BMW fanatics prefer the seats with the logo on the sides, so that will make someone’s inner BMW nerd happy to see. The cabin is in good shape overall, with a period-correct 3-spoke steering wheel, Coco mats, and what looks like a crack-free dash. The back seat presents well with no obvious damage.

The higher performance Tii engine has been upgraded with a aftermarket header and muffler system. The 2002 also comes with a limited-slip differential, so someone put in the time to make this 2002 Tii one heck of a fun driver. I like seeing a older (if not factory) paint job that clearly hasn’t been redone purely for the sake of flipping it after finding it at an estate sale. This 2002 sports some interesting upgrades that make it seem like someone’s hot rod project from back in the day, and I honestly hope the next caretaker changes very little. Find it here on eBay and located in Lindenhurst, New York.

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Comments

  1. Howard A Howard A.Member

    Oh really now, this is too much. I wonder how the site does this? The site is tapping into my memories somehow( yeah, like they have nothing better to do). When I had my MGB, a good friend traded his Vega GT, which was a nice car, BTW, on an orange ’73 2002 Tii, just like this. I know, sounds uncanny all these memories, but it’s true. In ’73, we hardly knew of BMW, except in bikes. This guy had a good job as a plumber, and shelled out over $5,500 bucks for this car. Unheard of, almost Corvette money. My MGB was $1995, so this was an expensive car. We quickly found out why. The BMW was superior in every way, especially for a sedan. While the BMW and MGB had about the same size motor, the BMW ate my MG for lunch. Handling too, had to push the poor MG too hard to keep up.
    Ah, but all was not lost, MG fans, you see, the BMW had transmission problems right away, 2nd gear, I think. BMW took care of it, but then began using oil, a LOT of oil. The dealer tried to repair it, but the trans began grinding again. By then he was tired of messing with it, and got rid of it, while the poor MGB chugged on for another 100,000miles( with used replacement motor) One thing for sure, BMW sure got their foot in the door here with these cars, and a good seller ever since. My daughter wanted a new car, I BEGGED her to look at the Caddy,( oh dad, I don’t want some old grandpa car) she thought Audi and went with a BMW, not sure the model, but loves it, and will certainly buy another. Great cars, and it, for us, started right here.

    Like 6
  2. bobhess bobhessMember

    Spent a total of a year and a half with 2 different 2002s and to this day don’t think there’s a better road car out there. Nice one here.

    Like 5
    • Solosolo UK Solosolo UKMember

      As I have commented here before, I have owned well over 200 cars since my first in 1957, many of them American, German, Italian, French, Japanese and of course British, but the BMW 2002 was far and away the best of the lot!

      Like 3
  3. Solosolo UK Solosolo UKMember

    As I have commented here before, I have owned well over 200 cars since my first in 1957, many of them American, German, Italian, French, Japanese and of course British, but the BMW 2002 was far and away the best of the lot! Mine was coloured Colorado but they also came in Orchid.

    Like 0
  4. PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

    Regarding the Recaros and labelling, I recall when I got my Merkur Xr4ti that it came with Recaros, but was not advertised as such. But, if you looked, there was a small Recaro label hidden on the underside of the seat.

    Like 0
  5. RallyeMember

    40 some years ago, I was one of the few that worked on fuel injected cars in the area. I had 2 customers that each had a Volvo 245 and a 2002TII. One day a chap with one of the really horrible Corvettes (70? with a 160-170hp and 3 speed autobox) was there badmouthing 4 bangers. I gave him rides in 2 of the cars that I had to test drive that day. A 2002 tii and a 71 Volvo 142E with sway bars and things amazed him.

    Several years later the Bimmers had new owners and 1 came back wirth a downdraft Weber conversion. I don’t know who the criminal was.

    Like 1
  6. Paul JacksonMember

    My grandmother purchased a new 1970 2002 with an automatic (awesome car for a 67 year old 5’ tall granny). I eventually became its caretaker in 1980. I loved that car-quick, light, comfortable, I just couldn’t overcome the rust

    Like 0

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