This 1968 BMW 2002 is a desirable round taillight model, and seemingly a largely unrestored example offered at no reserve. These days, it’s hard to find a “roundie” that isn’t priced exceedingly high, despite the deep bench of later square taillight models that are usually up for grabs for a reasonable price. Purists and enthusiasts alike are willing to pay a premium for the earlier models, which are far more aesthetically pleasing with their small chrome bumpers. This one has the additional appeal of wearing a desirable color known as Malaga and being rust-free. Find it here on eBay where bidding is over $9,000 with four days left.
The seller spends about half the ad describing the virtues of a BMW 2002, which is well documented and largely useless at this point in history. Thankfully, he does highlight some of the finer points as it relates the car’s condition, which is thankfully fairly solid after spending the last few years in dry storage. The bodywork looks fair, but some panels have been resprayed poorly and don’t match with the rest of the car. Curiously, the seller also notes that the chrome trim remains good luster and is still straight; however, I can see a few places where it’s not exactly laser straight, such as on the passenger side door.
The interior appears to be in good order, with original bucket seats still sporting what looks to be upholstery that is either original or a close reproduction of the factory pattern. It’s a bit baggy in places, so perhaps it’s been redone at some point. The three-spoke steering wheel is a nice period upgrade, and it’s always good to see a factory shift knob still in place. The 2002 sports a period radio as well, and the door panels and carpet appear to be in good, used condition. That’s the overall vibe of this car, which is that of a decent driver with good bones – especially since it isn’t rusty in the typically vulnerable places.
The rear shock towers are among the most worrisome spots on a 2002, and they show no issues here. Its also encouraging to see matching paint inside the trunk as well. The factory floor coverings are tired, but again, finding these pieces at least intact and worthy of recovering is half the battle when trying to keep a 2002 as original as possible. The seller claims that mechanically, the 2002 runs and drives well, and that it left the plant as a factory A/C car – but that the compressor has gone missing. Overall, there’s some work to be done here, but you could also drive the car as-is while slowing addressing the weak points – and that’s the best kind of project there is.
Did not last long. ‘This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available.’
There is another listing for this car, by the same owner, which ended today which shows it sold for $14,000.
He’s good at finding cars, over the last 90 days, this is the 13th car he has sold on eBay, with at least one other featured on this site.
Steve R
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-BMW-2002-/114728382962?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
relisted at
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-BMW-2002/114728382962?hash=item1ab65831f2:g:1mcAAOSwUuRgS9N5
relisted at
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-BMW-2002/114728382962?hash=item1ab65831f2:g:1mcAAOSwUuRgS9N5
whoops sorry for 2
I’ve followed cars my whole life and read all the gushing reports about 2002-BMWs. Still don’t get it. Ugly cars, poor performance to money ratio. ..So they ‘handled well”? Compared to what?…Another of the CAR AND DRIVER readers’ (or should I say FOREIGN SPORTS CARS AND DRIVERS, as I believed it was called in the 1950s, readers’) favorites. Even current BMWs can be out -performed for 1/2 to 2/3 the price by lesser marques. I remember one of the last NAIashows at Cobo just before Pontiac was forced to go under. The BMWs here, the Pontiacs , there. In every class they competed, Pontiac was superior. well, except one: Price.
You have apparently never owned or even driven a BMW. They are vastly superior to any US marque in fit and finish, materials quality, and especially performance. Drive an E39 M5 in sport mode for 30 minutes and you’ll never go back. A nice one can be had for about 20-28k, and despite being much older, will out-perform any of the most recent Pontiacs made.
he forgets that when this car was new it was so much better than what was offered domestically. Had a BMW 1600 and a 72 chevy wagon. Would take the BMW handling any day
Have you actually ever owned a 2002 David? I have also followed and owned cars for my whole life, and owned over 200, but if I had to choose just one that I should have kept until I croak, it would be my 1969 BMW 2002 Roundie. I have owned several other BMW’s but wouldn’t want any of them back. They were O.K. but they weren’t anywhere near as enjoyable as the 2002.
For a day, several times in about 1972, I got to blast around D.C. in a 2002tii. It belonged to my boss, who was foolish (kind) enough to let me borrow it. Unbelievable car. Quicker and more nimble than anything on offer at the Pontiac dealer, great seats, tight shifter….changed my perspective on what I wanted and enjoyed in a car forever. Name an American car of that era and a 2002 could out handle it. Great cars.
Bruce..Outhandle? What does that mean? Jostle around in a subcompact with a tight suspension? Or get your doors blown off by a equally expensive car, with 4 passengers, who enjoyed a smooth ride/ It depends on definition.
Well I’ve had two, both ’72’s back in the late eighties. One had factory air. both had sunroofs. I would take issue with your characterization of the 2002 handling characteristics. Mine were like slot cars even with their upright stance
And for some people like me, I like being ahead of the crowd when it comes to old iron..and later roundies were not selling like hotcakes in the late eighties. I should neve have sold them.But I’m a serial iron owner. and more than one or two and I develop angst :)
I owned a 1978 320i and really enjoyed it. It was really well-built and I had no complaints…other than it stalling in the rain and the front wheels shimmying at 65 mph. Hmmm, perhaps I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I did!
perhaps I didn’t make myself clear. I chose Pontiac atb the time because both were next to each other. Look at your magazines stats; Facts clearly demonstrate performance of the time. dollar for dollar, nothing BMW made could keep up with a similarly priced Pontiac. Now, if you want to go dollar amount against dollar amount, BMW should challenge ‘vettes of the period. Still think BMW competes? Take your 2002 and go against a similarly priced GTO. Corvette? Shelby Mustang? The prices weren’t that different.BMW’s did handle well but were Small, subcompact vehicles , . Sure they could outhandle a full sized American car, but then, BMW didn’t offer such a thing until years later-full sized. Now, put your BMW 2002 against the highest performing , equal costing, Domestic in 1/4 mile, who wins. It is true I ‘ve never owned a premium priced BMW, but then again, I never felt the need. I got more performance, more space(usually), better dealer service(cheaper!), and fewer repairs for half the price. I’ve owned many Muscle Cars and it always seemed to me Foreign Luxury Performance marques reverted to handling and ‘track feel’ when those marques got their lunch handed to them . Oh, yeah..the whole Cupholder “thing”, too.
Posted on C/L 8 hours ago. $12,900. https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/d/hickory-hills-bmw-2002/7292163276.html. Never drove a Roundie, but I bought a 1999 540 M Sport 6 manual this spring. She rocks in luxury, never selling it.
There are not enough pictures here to make a good assessment of this car. Just a few things I noted:
* It has the 1600 front grills on it – 2002s had black slats
* Side markers have been removed (and smooth Euro front turn signals – nice)
* VIN 1660467 => US 2002 1968 model year (465th built… 001 & 002 are 1967 model year cars). Production started FEB-68, so I suspect this car was built around April or May 1968 since production run ended DEC-68 at 1664491.
* The front seats have been recovered. The vertical bars should go up and over the top of the seat while these have a solid panel on the top. See the back seat top picture for an example of what I mean.
* The AC units were never delivered from the factory. They were always dealer installed. I forgot who manufactured this particular unit. It’s not a Frigiking. The Frigiking vents were adjustable up and down – yet, not side to side like this one. You either wanted this unit since it was so narrow. Or, you wanted the Clardy.
* The one picture of the driver’s side rocker panel does not show the seams you would expect. I would check for filler in the rocker panels.
* No pictures of the nose except for the passenger side (looks okay).
* need additional pictures to confirm the “no rust” claim including front rails to body, pedal box area, nose below the battery, close-ups of both rocker panels, spare tire well, etc.
* The horrible carpet kit in this car should be pulled up to confirm the floors are rust free… especially where they meet with the inner part of the longitudinal sills. Carpeting should be a salt and pepper loop
* The shock bolts protrude too high above the fender. I suspect these came from a later model where a spacer was used to raise the bumper height (commonly moved and mounted on top of the fender.
* The one rear CV Joint we can see is missing its boot. Expect to have to replace the joints as well as the boots.
* The wheels have the wrong offset… perhaps off a 320i? These are putting a lot of stress on the bearings.
* Definitely some mismatched paint that would warrant a closer look (front fenders don’t match doors, hood is different, etc.).
I would want to have this car inspected by someone that knows what they are looking for since there are too many unanswered questions and not enough key pictures to help a potential buyer.