BMW hit the ball out of the park with its 2002. Introduced in 1968 as a successor to the 1600, it was the happy confluence of several disparate events. The first of these involved two BMW managers who – completely independently – chose to transplant the company’s 2.0-liter engine into their respective 1600s. Their joint discovery of each other’s transformed cars occurred when one day, they arrived simultaneously at BMW’s workshop. Meanwhile, the 1600 received applause from the automotive press in the US, prompting Max Hoffman – dealer extraordinaire – to encourage a similar car so he could have a new model to sell. The logical candidate was the 1600tii, a dual-carburetted version of the 1600, but it wouldn’t pass emissions regulations. And that was the final piece of the puzzle: BMW situated a neat Georg Bertram/Geovanni Michelotti body on a 1600 chassis and installed its 2.0-liter single-carburetted motor – voila! Here on eBay is a 1974 BMW 2002 project, with a tii motor and transmission, bid to $3749. This car is located in Flushing, New York.
This car’s value resides in its motor and transmission, sourced from a 2002tii (Touring International Injected). The 2002tii was introduced in 1972; Kugelfischer mechanical injection boosted horsepower to 130 from the Teutonic four-cylinder. Top speed is 118 mph, an improvement of 18 mph over the normally aspirated 2002. These cars are prized for brisk acceleration, outstanding handling, and nearly endless reliability. The seller says the car did run five years ago. but its fuel pump has gone missing.
The seller notes that though the car appears decent from afar, it needs substantial restoration. Rust in the shock towers is just another day in the life of a 2002; this example has rust scattered in its panels, too. 2002s were produced in two generations but each year included multiple changes, notwithstanding the “generation” demarcation. Early cars with slender bumpers and round tail lights are the most desirable. The worst bumpers arrived in 1974, which – alas – afflict this example.
No complete interior pictures are supplied, but we’re guessing its condition is similar to this console shot – namely, rough. The seller notes that the seats are Recaros and the wheels are Fittipaldis – a “treasure trove”, in his words. That’s if you want to part out the car; it’s unclear to me how valuable a “bitsa” BMW 2002 should be, desirable parts notwithstanding. A nice second-gen 2002 in original condition is worth around $30k, early cars are at least $10k more, and tii’s will sell for still more. What would you pay for this one?
Back in 1987 when I was 17, I raced my friend on the 1/4 mile in his bosses 2002 and me in my 1979 320i. I just couldnt catch up with him, no matter how many beers we drank..
Well he’s right about one thing. The tii motor is worth a lot, but only if it runs. The work required to rehab a Kugelfischer MFI pump is not for thr feignt of heart.
That said, as a 2002 aficionado and tii owner, I hope someone saves this car. Even if it’s not a real tii, you have the foundation for a great driver here. You just need a welder and a lot of patience!
A few comments on the posting here: First, the 2002 wasn’t a successor to the 1600 but rather a product line extension. The 1600-2 as it was originally named continued to be sold in parallel with the 2002 (together with the less common 1502 and 1802). Next, there was the 1600TI with the dual Solex carbs, but never a 1600Tii. (A former neighbor had a lovely Alpina modified 1600TI that I drooled a lot over) Finally, I doubt that there was an 18 mph top speed difference between the carburated and injected 2002? 118 mph seems about right for the Tii, but I’d think that the regular 2002 would do something like 108-110?
The Tii felt like there was more of a difference than what the numbers indicated because of the fantastic throttle response. When well set up it felt like an instant reaction to any throttle pedal input.
A final comment on this car is that those treasure trove wheels look terrible on a 2002. But obviously tossing them is one of the easiest tasks in getting this car back on the road again.
I had a ’74 2002 in Black back around 1982. It was a beautiful car, always got the “thumbs up”. One of the best handling and reliable cars I’ve ever owned other than the time I blew a head gasket while commuting through the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. You know you’re going to have a bad day when the helicopter traffic reporter on the radio is describing a major tie-up and you’re the cause. Alas, the tin worm got the floors and rocker panels (but not the shock towers!).
Got about a year behind the wheel of a ’70. About as much fun as you can have in a small sedan.
Did BMW REALLY “knock it out of the park” with the 2002? Given the growth of the company and talk of it’s fans, you’d certainly think so.
About a reading of real magazines from the times tells a VERY different story.
C&D and R&T did comparison tests back in the day with the Fiat 124 Sport Coupe and the Alfa GTA. Both Italian cars featured more advanced twin cam engines, 5 speed transmissions, and better handling chassis. The 2002 came in DEAD LAST in BOTH comparison tests. And, both Italians were far more handsome.
That is the REAL history of the 2002, which few people today would believe.
I go by sales figures. BMW sold 430,000 2002 units in 11 years of production, Alfa’s Giulia variations sold 223k in thirteen years. The Fiat Sport Coupe sold about 280k units.
Except the Fiat would rust away before you got it home from the dealer.
The reason many of us consider the 2002 the seminal car that it was is that it is generally considered the car that saved BMW from going bankrupt and being acquired in a hostile takeover. The fact they sold over 430k of them in 11 years is certainly an out of the park home run for the size of company BMW was in that era. Doing that without the benefits of a super sexy body, twin cam motor or standard 5 speed is a testament to just how good it was at that time, IMHO.
P.S.
At least one standalone magazine test back in the day saw the pure performance value in the 2002tii at the time:
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15142126/1972-bmw-2002-tii-archived-road-test-review/
“Top speed is 118 mph, an improvement of 18 mph over the normally aspirated 2002.”
Please note that all BMWs of the era except the 2002 Turbo were normally aspirated.
I must admit that despite having several older BMWs, I’d probably go for a first series 124 coupe if I could find one. If I had a 2002, I’d tuck a nice little M42 under the hood and motor on.
I drive a 1602 which I bought as a striped rolling body. No doors,glass, hood ect.in 1995. Took a year and 1000’s of parts from all models that I could afford or wanted. I drive this car as if now.All added elements, except for a minor few are BMW. I’ve driven a lot( model’s and up)over my 85 years and this car can’t be touched. Any effort is worth preserving this masterpiece! It’s not about money. Peter Zettler
2002 tii 1974 ..garaged..for sale. Runs