BMW 2002s haven’t quite taken after the iconic Porsche 356 in terms of obscene values, as they reside in a more level-headed environment where only the best restoration cars and survivors command silly money. You can still buy a non-Tii project for relatively few bucks, but examples like this well-preserved 1974 model here on eBay will tend to follow those market leaders into the upper pricing brackets given how appealing a stock and rust-free 2002 is.
The Malaga paint is a favorite among 2002 enthusiasts, and it remains in excellent condition on this car. Despite now living in Sherman Oaks, California, this 2002 hails from the great state of Georgia and still carries a clean title from its previous residence. The big bumpers and square tail lights aren’t the preferred treatment, but it won’t deter a committed bidder given how clean this example is.
The interior is likewise a basic, no-frills 2002 cabin, but everything that’s there presents very well. The seats are un-torn and the stock steering wheel is still present, which is almost refreshing given how many of these end up with Momo steering wheels and Recaro seats from an E21. The seller notes that there’s roughly 70,000 miles on the car, which is quite low for a 1974 model.
The engine health is also quite impressive, with the seller noting strong compression numbers across all four cylinders. The 2002 has the preferred 4-speed manual, but an upgrade to a later 5-speed is a preferred modification that both adds value and makes the car more pleasant to drive. The seller says this one is ready to drive anywhere with no smokes or leaks, and the honest presentation here leaves little doubt there’s a good car underneath the cranberry paint.
Ah hah!
A bath-tub model of a beemer.
These ones have always reminded me of a ring in a bath tub and not much else.
Never liked them, never wanted one as they are too hideous to want.
Don’t hold anything back Al, it’s not good to keep it in. Find your happy place.
I have, it is called being in a state of „confused euphoria“.
Tasteful upgrades like wrong seat covers and door panels.
Luckily they painted over the spot near the windshield where they bashed in the sheet metal reinstalling the engine.
Got to love it when someone can’t take two minutes to mask off the washer jets or hood lock down rod.🤮
I dearly love the small bumper versions but have to admit the diving boards are seriously distracting. HOWEVER, I’ve seen a few Euro versions with square taillight but minimized bumpers and they look fantastic. Doesn’t seem like it’d be that hard to change, right?
Pdxbryan,
Very easy to change. Just bolt on brackets. And iirc the hood lockdown rod is painted the same color as the car. Can’t recall with the windshield washer jets though. Fun car to drive. Easy to convert a square tail to a roundie too by swapping out the inner tail piece, but is sure to irritate purists.
Rich,
I guess all 2002s must have come from the factory painted silver, because that is the color the lock down rod is from the factory.
I only know this because I have been working on 2002s for over 45 years.
I zinc-plated my lock-down rod, but chrome plated the washer jets. That was 20 years ago and I still haven’t hooked up the washer bottle and lines (Not Daily Driven)
I worked for a BMW dealer back when these were new, and they sold like hotcakes in Southern California. Funny, they seemed so cool, fast and so sports car like. When I drive one now, all I think is, gee, these are really primitive and basic. I guess it shows how much things have improved over the past forty some odd years. Imagine that. Interesting, they never had power steering, didn’t need it then, don’t need it now – is it even possible to get a car today without power steering?
You wouldn’t happen to know if there was a difference between early production 1972 models and later 72’s? A difference in carburetors? I’ve been trying to remember.
In the 80’s, I bought a 1972 2002. The seller emphasized that it was a later production 72, which they said had some kind of benefit. I’m thinking in carburetors? I can’t remember? Can anyone enlighten me?
Retractable seat belts.
I think what nobody realizes is that all cars of that era were pretty boxy. I have two of these cars in my collection, slightly modified, and they are great for bombing around or throwing around corners because of the relatively short wheelbase. The seats before 1975 were terrible, but that can be fixed. The driving position is more upright, and my wife likes driving these cars more than my other BMWs (except her X5) because of that, even over my 3 M5s. You can’t really compare this car to any modern car, but it will always be the BMW that made BMW what it is today in the US.
When people first see or drive my 72 2002tii I point out the automotive context of the the early 1970s in America. What (American) cars people were accustomed to driving. Like the first time people heard Hendrix.
My nephew in Denver bought one of these back in the 80’s for his first car! He seemed to be in love with the car, even tho it sat in a garage behind his apartment because it was always breaking down. I always looked at these cars, and wonder why anyone in their right minds would like them. Too me they looked like a little box, no style whatsoever, and a ugly face to boot! My poor nephew dumped a whole lots of money into that one, and when he sold it, it was still broken. ????
My point is how 2002s and other BMWs drove and handled versus the Fury IIIs and LTDs of the time. And ugly can be loveable.
I guess I’m different than most of the commenters. I like the way 2002s look and prefer the square taillight cars over the roundies. This one looks pretty nice considering the condition of most 2002s available for sale these days.
I just don’t see the appeal of these cars. Just plain ugly!
Had the opportunity to buy this color ’74, new, from the dealer…but the Tii model. Two of my enlisted guys had the earlier versions, one a 1500, the other a 1600…in Germany. Loved how they handled, even with four of us inside. Was bummed we couldn’t get the “real” Ti, and since the dealer wouldn’t budge on price, nor order me one with fewer options, I bought a 2.8 Capri (on deep discount AND with a rebate thrown in). Did I regret passing on the Tii, yes..but, made up for it later by getting a ’98 328is. Love it, after having had a slew of true sports cars and muscle cars….