The BMW -02 series began life powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four cylinder engine. It was a two-door coupe based on the contemporary Neue Klasse sports sedan platform, earning it the designation “1600-2,” with the “-2” standing for “two-door.” Later this was shortened to “1602.” BMW’s 1.6-liter engine didn’t meet US emissions standards, and some BMW executives at the time thought a 2.0-liter unit would suit its sporting nature better, so a proposal was drafted for a 2.0-liter powered BMW “2002,” and the rest, as they say, is history. The 2002 became widely known as one of the best drivers cars on the market, due in no small part to its small size, light weight, and relatively low entry price. You can find this highly-optioned Tii model here on craigslist.
There was the 2002, 2002 Ti, and 2002 Tii, each with slightly better performance figures than the last. The 2002 had a single carburetor, the Ti had a double carburetor, and the Tii had–gasp—fuel injection! Not only that, it had a stiffened chassis, different exhaust, and a beefier transmission with revised gearing. All this resulted in 140 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque, with perfect balance. The seller includes no images of the motor, but they do give the VIN, so a serious buyer running a VIN check could make sure this is a genuine Tii model. To the BMW layman like myself, it sounds like the Tii model is the 1970s-equivalent of the modern M cars, with the Ti being the lesser M-Sport equivalent.
The seller also doesn’t provide any images of the undercarriage, but this is a California car, so there shouldn’t be much–if any–rust on it. They mention that the rust pictured in the trunk is the worst rust on the car, so you shouldn’t have any issues in that department. Having said that, it is fifty years old, and a fifty-year-old daily-driven car is bound to have a couple of dings on it. It’s been in a couple of fender-benders, and there are body dings from those. Nothing that can’t be easily fixed, but it is worth noting.
Inside, the interior is amazing. The carpet looks brand new, and the vinyl seats are free of rips, while the dashboard has no cracks and frames a very minimalistic approach to driving with an aesthetically pleasing shift pattern mounted front and center over the gear stick. Overall a very clean example and it’s ready to be driven and enjoyed as any BMW should. It is, after all, the “ultimate driving machine.”
Ben, thank you for not calling it a “Roundie”!
And thank the owner for NOT putting an aftermarket steering wheel on it!
This thing should bring a hefty price, being a round-taillight TII WITH the sunroof.
OK, I looked at the CL posting after I posted my BF comment. It is quite odd that there are no engine photos, which, after all, is the whole point of a Tii. And, with these 2002s, chassis photos should be mandatory.
These cars are fast, comfortable, and handle well. Got two years behind the wheel of one and had a blast with it. One of the things that made it fun was the smaller, leather covered steering wheel that came with it. To each his own but there are tractors with smaller steering wheels than the stock units on these cars. Either way, not going to be disappointed driving these cars.
I drove one of these in my younger days. And being Muscle car guy it was a blast to drive. It handle so well and downshifting the gears around turns was a hoot!! If I brought this one I would treat it to a fresh Alpine White paint job and clean the interior. Put a performance exhaust on it leave everything else stock and enjoy it. It’s rare 2002s come up for sale in this condition. Good luck to the next care taker of this fine ride! 🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
20+ pics (very rare for a CL ad) but no engine shot. Weird
Those carpets done look correct. see how they sit against the transmission tunnel. I would be looking to see if anything else is half done.
Right?!! They look like poor fitting replacements!
Inside, the interior is amazing. The carpet looks brand new.
I don’t think new carpets would just have a slit cut in them to let the foot pedals through, nd the edges just look all wrong.
Got to test drive a new Tii in1973 in Monterey. A real test drive, not around the block. Have been in love with them ever since. (No, we didn’t buy it. Young and newly married we had to make do with our ‘64 Austin Mini Cooper.)
Ben,you forgot the top of the line 2002 tii “Turbo”, the ultimate BMW. I owned a straight 1969 “Roundie” 2002 back in 1982 with a single Solex downdraught carburettor and it still managed to paralyse anything from 0 to 60 mph. Fantastic motor car.
Oh how I’d love to have that car. Buying a 2002 is like money in the bank and fun to own. The Craigslist posting has been pulled. (?)
I bought my first BMW 2002, new, in 1974. The car changed my life. I race “02s” or E-10 BMWs, with SCCA. I still own my, extremely rare, ’73 2002 Baur Cabriolet and our 328Xi is my fifteenth BMW. The E10 and E9 BMWs became “Cult Cars” almost immediately, when they first came on the market. Those cars save BMW and BMW of North America was created. Prior to that, Max Hoffman Motors was the importer and sold franchise dealerships. You might remember Max as the importer of BMW, Porsche, VW, Borgward and some other German cars.
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I use to buy rough but not ruined “02s” and E9 CS coupes and refurbish them, put in better seats, “plus 2″ wheels and REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL, with a 14″ wheel. You can’t drive very sporty, with a 17” wheel, that you have to look through (I’m short). On request, from buyers, I would convert the cars to dual 45 DCOE carburetors and tuned exhaust. Of course, I always sold the original wheel, seats, , carbs, etc. with the cars. OH! Five speed conversions would almost double the selling price and highway drivability. I did five of those. I still have the original four speed in my “73. At freeway speeds, the RPMs are a little high. Most of refurbished cars went to the East Coast. Some are probably “Barn Finds,” now or family heirlooms. I know at least one of my old cars is now driven buy a third generation driver.
By the way, Ben Rybisky, the E10 isn’t a “coupe.” They have a B Pillar. “02s” where, according to BMW, are Sports Sedans or for our British cousins, Saloons.
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I thought that the definition of a Coupe was “useless rear seats”.
GSUFFA, I don’t know where you get that idea. If that was the case, I would have never bought the first one, except to go racing. The rear seat isn’t useless, like a Mustang, Camero, Porsche 911 or Datsun/Nissan “Z Car.” There’s as much room as a Pinto or Vega and more than a Honda Civic. My Cabriolet has a little less head room, in the back, than a standard “02” sedan, as the top is lower and there is space for the fold down rear part of the top.. I’ve has had four “Normal” size people in the back seats of every “02” Bimmer that I’ve owned. If you’re carrying a lot of weight, six feet and all legs, then no. I twice slept in one of those back seats, waiting for the gates to open at races. BMW 1600-02s and 2002 are one of the most user friendly cars of that era.
I still get a kick, when I open the engine compartment, as opposed to newer car, of any kind.. There’s an engine, battery, radiator, brake booster and that’s all. If I drop a tool, it generally goods to the ground.
I was referring to my 635;no experience with older CS’s .
The 2002 is not a Coupe, because of many reasons, including that BMW made a car at the same time which was indeed a Coupe. I like to refer to my 2002 as an example of the original Sport Sedan, and marvel at the rear seat room.
Located in the East Bay area
One of my SGTs had a 1500 during our tour in West Germany. I loved it’s “toss-ability” & agree about rear passenger room. I was nearly 6’4″ in those days & probably 215-220, so I got to sit over the right rear wheel…being the biggest guy in the car. Had experience with a number of other Bimmers, really wanted to buy one of their “County/State” Politzei vehicles. Those were souped-up 502s(?). Looked like shrunk-down ’35 Fords. V8’s and very fast. Only Tii I looked at after my service was over was a new one in “maroon”. Didn’t like the color nor the fact it had every accessory they could possibly put on it. Dealer marked it up substantially too. Finally bought a 328is in ’99. Loved that car !!!