This 1975 BMW 2002 popped up recently on eBay and listed by a new seller with zero feedback. While that can be cause for concern, the car in question actually looks like a deserving project that is fairly presented as a running example that would benefit from an overall refresh and some cosmetic improvements. The 2002 is listed for $5,000 in Oakland, California, and you can find it here on eBay with four days left.
With cars like these, you look for any indications that an enthusiast owned it at one point in time. The larger OEM basketweave alloys are a good place to start, as those 14 inch wheels likely came from a later E30. They look too big on the 2002, but at least they aren’t the dreaded bottlecaps so many of these cars wear. The seller claims he snagged this out of a local tow yard with indications it was a previous owner’s in-progress project, as the glass had already been removed.
The interior, while incomplete, doesn’t look like a waterlogged mess. The seller points out that the ’02 is lacking its door panels and a rear seat, but those will be plenty easy to pick up from a fellow enthusiast, or even a California salvage yard as 2002s still pop up there. The dash looks presentable, but I do see a few cracks (they almost all do that). It also appears there is still carpet in the vehicle, and that it’s reasonable clean. The console surrounding the shifter and holding any A/C or radio controls is missing, but photos show the horn pad is included.
The seller says this is a rust-free example and that the motor runs well with no smoke. The shame to me is this car came from the factory in the same color as my E21 project – a very period shade known as Sienabraun, which is a fancy way of saying brown metallic paint. It’s a great color, and I hope this 2002 comes back to life in that shade. Note the clean rear shock towers and solid trunk floor. How I wish tow yards here in the Northeast held treasures like this.
which years offer the 2002 tii ? Why are the values higher for the tii other than fuel injection ?
Tii was higher spec and there were a lot of differences besides the FI. everything from different spindles with larger wheel bearings to the clock on the dash. Brakes, trailing arms, alternator all all different and better than standard, and I know I am missing a lot of other items and of course round eyes are preferred over square
What’s the deal with sellers with “no feedback?” I get that one must be careful when dealing with unknowns, but there’s a first for everything. Everyone with an eBay account started out with no sales and no feedback. I’ve made a few good deals with people like that, because they weren’t getting any hits, cause they had no history.
Many years ago, my very first sale on eBay was a 1965 Mustang convert that went to Australia, I had no feedback prior to the sale and it went fine including the wiring of the money, the overseas shipping, etc. The key is contacting the buyer/seller prior to the end and establishing a relationship. That is what the eventual winner did for me. Will it guarantee that the guy on the other end is not a shyster? Naaa, but it helps.
Never buy from a Zero feedback seller. As a buyer and a seller I have 100 percent positive feedback. That should be a caution flag. The seller has to prove him or herself before I would buy from them.
That’s an unfortunate opinion. I have bought a few things on ebay(1 car), and sold about a 1/2 dozen(no cars). I haven’t done any transactions for a while. If you’re an upstanding person(on either end), that should come through in the transaction. There are things out there called phones…………….
This ’02 looks pretty legit to my eye. I’d like to see some underside photos, but otherwise the car looks like a good project car for 5K, considering the 2002 is basically white-hot in the classic car market right now.
Indeed, the Siennabraun is a really great color for the 2002, but bringing this car back to that original color would cost a lot…glass out, trim off, etc.
Since the model is so popular in California, I predict this car won’t last long at 5K. As a side note, I drove my wife and daughter to St. Pete beach this afternoon in my ’75 Malaga. It was a great beach day. It beats the Polar Vortex.
Yea, rub it in, Rex. Below Zero here last night, and tonight as well. Might hit the teens tomorrow….. :-(
looks fishy to me, language usage leads me to believe sketchy esl fish/skam, buyer beware imho
Used to be people CARED about seller feedback and reputation, but now its so tilted to buyers its unfair, and sadly too many scammers open an acct with no history and can do a lot of damage, so very risky dealing with a zero feedback member, I have had a few who were okay, but you have to reach out and show me you are the real deal. If I cant talk to a real person then I would never deal with a zero feedback buyer or seller. Been on Feebay since 1999