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One Repaint: BMW 2002 Tii Survivor

Check out the bidding on this survivor-grade 1973 BMW 2002 Tii – it’s already crested $20K with more than four days left on the auction. This is the going rate for clean round-taillight 2002s equipped with the hot Tii motor, so it’s hardly a surprise. Find this single-repaint ’02 here on eBay and located in Irvine, California. 

The early cars wore the slimmer chrome bumpers that many square taillight owners swap in as a means of ridding themselves of the ugly park bench units that came on later cars. This 2002 also distinguishes itself by retaining its original “non-snorkel” nose, which is another way of saying most of the 2002s still on the road have had their nose panels replaced due to fender benders; not this car, making it a prize for the 2002 enthusiast concerned about originality.

The interior presents as you’d expect a survivor car to, since the carpets and seating surfaces are fairly hard-wearing. The dash has a few cracks and the Tii-specific clock doesn’t work, but these are minor quibbles. The original steering wheel is still in place and the Coco mats look good. The car’s one major detraction is the replacement of the rear body panel – but the seller says it was done well with no evidence as to why it was replaced.

The engine is numbers matching, along with the transmission. The seller has done some basic (and smart) maintenance, which includes a cooling system update, valve adjustment and stock suspension with new Bilstein shocks. We like the original hubcaps over steel wheels, as so many of these cars now wear Panasports or BBSs that the plain-jane OEM look is downright pretty. Bidding will likely see this one exceed $25K – the new normal for clean roundie Tii’s.

Comments

  1. Avatar Dolphin Member

    Almost everything about this Tii looks great. These are a holy grail of the 2002 series of models, and give way only to the unobtanium Turbo.

    From the SCM Guide, these have sold for a median price of $34,800 at auction recently, so the question is whether it will sell for enough below that number to allow it to be brought up to the level that the excellent auction cars sold for.

    The ad is full of sharp photos, which is unlike so many Ebay and CL ads, even for desirable cars, so good on the seller. He has put dozens of small round magnets on much of the sheet metal, which shows you there is steel under the paint, not filler. But…..

    Magnets were omitted from the wheelwells, which look like they could have filler in some of them. Easy enough to check: just go there and try to stick some of those magnets in the wheelwells, especially around the outer portions, and see if they stick.

    But all in all, a very desirable 2002, from the right part of the continent, and maybe for an OK price.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ralph

      Wheels are std 2002 not the tii wheels which are wider

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  2. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    Personally I think the whole “roundie/tii/snorkel” thing is so overblown. As I thrash around in my ’75 squarie with 2-barrel Weber, I can’t see my snorkel or tail lights. And my tail lights are all anybody else can see when I blow by them.

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  3. Avatar chad

    “…so good on the seller…”
    Yes, looks somewhat honest but alotta paint over rust on exterior.

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  4. Avatar Luki

    Nothing a $20k paint and body job wouldn’t fix.
    Was silver now the worst resale color ever, white.
    Lots of prep issues as mentioned. Rear script mounted in a place the factory never used. No rear panel emblem.
    Newer Billsteins? Circa 1984.
    Rust hole in passenger floor by the down pipe.
    No mention of how long car has been in California. By the rust underneath the car and the nice interior condition definitely not a dry desert car.
    Nice interior except for the cheesy shift boot. Rust belt survivor?
    For $20k plus, no thanks.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Luki

    You can drive it for years and still keep the mileage under 90k.
    Odometer inop.

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  6. Avatar BOP Guy Member

    I bought one of these in the mid-80’s as my daily driver. It was a ‘72, white, blue interior, sunroof, and a/c, stick shift of course, for $3k. It was immaculate. Purchased from the original owner. I drove it for 2 years, had my fun, and sold it for $4,500. Thought I was a savvy seller! I can’t believe what these are fetching now! Fantastic car, but still looking for a ‘78 Volvo 242GT, like my other ‘80’s car. It was a tank and fun to drive! Don’t see them for sale very often.

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  7. Avatar Chuck Sauta

    My name is Chuck (83yrs young) …. Purchased my 1971 2002 new in ’71, and still drive it every day (but not in winter) have driven over 200,000 miles. My biggest mistake with it was when I stored it in a barn for 20+ years and the rust grew and grew. Had the brakes redone at a (new) shop in Hudson Ma. Great place. Recent repairs done at ATA Restorations in Dublin NH. They know 2002’s
    from top to bottom. keeping the car forever!!!!

    Like 0
  8. Avatar sluggo

    The basic 2002 was a decent little car and I used to have one. But I never understood the big appeal of the Tii,,, and prices have eclipsed any interest I had. Its a Glorified Datsun 510. I had one of those too (Several) and one day sat them side by side and went over every inch. Not much difference except the Datsun was less expensive to own and maintain. But they are fun little cars.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar David Miraglia

    always liked 2002’s.

    Like 0

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