This 1974 BMW 2002 Tii is selling at no reserve, and is described as a dry, running project that needs mechanical refreshing in order to be considered a reliable daily. Living in California and Idaho has likely prevented the tin worm from munching through vulnerable sheetmetal, so despite having an oddly customized interior and some mechanical sorting left to do, the 2002 looks like a decent buy for someone searching for a Tii on the cheaper side. Find it here on eBay with bidding just over $5K.
The 2002 is a later square-tail light car and it wears the clunky U.S. safety bumpers, like all late model examples do. Upgrading to the factory chrome bumpers from the earlier models transforms the car’s appearance, and the conversion process to those slimmer assemblies is well-documented. The basketweave-style wheels are a classic BMW look, but I can’t tell if they’re the OEM rollers from the later E21s equipped with the sport package or a very faithful replica. All glass and lenses look good, but I’m not sure what’s living on the rear parcel shelf.
The interior is super weird. I’m used to seeing modified 2002 cabins, but usually with the recipe of Recaro sport seats from an E21, along with a three-spoke factory steering wheel from the same car. This 2002 has seats front and rear that look like they were lifted from a Dodge Intrepid, and most certainly required a fair amount of fabrication to work with the stock seat sliders. It looks like a case of, “Well, we need seats, and this is all we have lying around,” rather than a strategic decision. Check out the center console with its “custom” cabinetry – let’s return that to stock, pronto.
Of course, these are easy fixes. The seller notes his dealership just got the car running after being off the road since 1990. 81,000 miles are on the odometer, but it’s not confirmed whether those miles are believed to be accurate. The 2002 does come with a clear title, and the seller notes that a repaint is advised in addition to the mechanical refresh. 2002 Tii’s aren’t getting any cheaper as time goes on, but you can still find worthwhile projects like this for reasonable money. Assuming the floorpan and lower sills are solid, this one looks like a decent buy.
The seat issue may not be as simple as just using what’s lying around. The original seats used a compressed “horse-hair” padding, and over 45 years this stuff will crumble like shredded wheat.
The horsehair material is available, but at a price of about $1200 for the 4 pieces. Then add the cost of the seat covers, about $800, and you’ve spent 2 grand and the seats still need re-covered! If you can do it yourself, well, that’s a plus. I put a set of Camry seats in my 2002, and they practically bolted right in, with only slight modification.
The horsehair not only falls out, it stinks too. I replaced my seats with either 318 or 320 seats that bolted right in the same holes. Pattern was close enough for a driver and no more horsehair. Only had to cut off the seat belt receiver to use the original stalk.
A combination of dense foam underneath softer foam will give nearly the exact same “give” as the original horsehair pads, for those who don’t want to spend the $ but still want the same feel as original. Save your money on the pads and instead get the most authentic vinyl seat covers you can. Do your research and come out ahead when you sell it.
Good looking car, they have soared in price I was buying good daily driver cars in the mid 2000’s for $2500.00 to $4000.00 at one time I had 22 of them at one time, I would guess this car will go for a touch over $10k, and with paint and a some TLC would bring high teens, someone will be getting a good little car!
Ended:Dec 13, 2019 , 8:21AM
Winning bid:US $9,220.00
[ 27 bids ]