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Unrestored Roundie: 1972 BMW 2002 Tii

If you’ve been following BMW 2002s for any length of time, you know it doesn’t get much better than this: a round taillight survivor with the preferred Tii-spec, all seemingly in very original condition save for a set of OEM BBS wheels. The seller notes this 2002 isn’t perfect by any means, but it’s still an excellent foundation for an only-fix-what’s-broken restoration, or a full-scale rebuild. Either way, you’ll have a car someone else will want to buy for real money when you’re done with it. This Tii runs and drives and has had some new tune-up parts thrown at it, and it’s listed here on eBay with bids to $12,200 and the reserve unmet.

The round taillight era models also came with the small chrome bumpers you see here, a desirable upgrade for owners of later cars saddled with the large U.S.-spec safety bumpers. 2002s of any era are prone to rust if left outdoors or otherwise driven through a four-season climate, but this example doesn’t have that problem, with the seller noting the only real rust is a few holes in the spare tire well. The rest of the car looks surprisingly straight down the sides, with good shut lines but subpar paint. It was resprayed previously and the seller notes there are areas of flaking and cracking. The underhood photos would seemingly indicate white is the original color.

The interior is described as original, which is impressive considering how clean it still is. The navy blue bucket seats and door panels are in excellent order, and the dash even appears to be uncracked. This grade of condition would suggest long-term indoor storage, which would also explain the largely rust-free condition. Photos reveal it still has the Tii-specific clock mounted on the dash, another positive sign that this example has never been messed with. The 2002 retains its factory steering wheel as well, which is usually one of the first things to be removed for a smaller unit even on cars with high levels of preservation. The 2002 comes with its factory air conditioning equipment in place, and the seller notes it does still function – barely.

The engine bay isn’t exactly pretty, with plenty of areas of surface rust spots. Factory stickers and labels remain affixed, and the Tii-spec engine appears to be unmodified from stock. The 2.0L, SOHC four-cylinder engine was good for a rev-happy 130 b.h.p. which was a revelation when it was introduced. Here was a genuine sports sedan, the likes of which hadn’t ever been seen from a domestic manufacturer (some would say they’re still playing catch up.) The 2002 was a hero among the automotive press, and there’s a good reason why it maintains such a strong following today. As an unrestored survivor without much rust, this 2002 Tii will likely go far higher before the auction is done.

Comments

  1. Avatar alphasud Member

    I remember my first drive in one of these. Ironically it wasn’t the 02 but a 1600. A friend of mine bought a 02 to restore and came across a mint 1600 for chump change. Mind you this was the mid 90’s when these cars could be had for reasonable money. I couldn’t get over how well composed and solid the car felt. Certainly not quick by any imagination but it gave him a car he could enjoy while his other car was being restored. It’s no wonder these cars are highly sought after.

    Like 10
    • Avatar Seth KARPEN

      Had a1600 that we bought used in 1972, it was a blast to drive.

      Like 2
  2. Avatar Ralph

    Rode in a few of these as a kid in the mountains of Colorado. The handling was almost unbeatable. As I recall there were very few cars that could keep up with them in the curves, especially going downhill.
    With the included A/C this may end up being a buy.

    Like 8
  3. Avatar t-bone BOB

    Item location:
    Columbia, Tennessee

    Like 0
  4. Avatar JudoJohn

    WOW- It looks nice on the outside, but the engine compartment and trunk show signs of massive rust! Also, couldn’t they at least clean up that air cleaner a bit? It looks like it spent time in the bottom of a pond.
    I, too owned a 1600 in the ’70’s. Loved that car! It was a blast to drive.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Mountainwoodie

    Whoa………..Up to 18 K and theres rust near the shock towers and it appears a lot more elsewhere….thank god it doesnt have a sunroof or I’d be losing my mind.

    Had two, both ’72’s with small bumpers, sunroofs and one with a/c that originally was an auto. Out the auto went and in went a Getrag 5 speed………both has basket weave BBS wheels. The green one had gold wheels….hey I was young!

    That steering wheel looks like it came off a square taillight later ’74 and on car. I dont recall them being on the Tii but its been a few decades,

    This would take an extensive examination with magnets. theres just an awful lot of random rust in places I dont think it should be. but, hey………..what do I know.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar jaime colao

    I Had one, same car it was green. A friend i had back in the early 80’s gave it to me. He bought it for his wife, it was a metallic aqua color I’m sure people in this group know the color with leather color interior, wife did not like it so he had the car dipped British racing green. she still didn’t like it. He parked put it on block and in 1981 he gave it to me. That is the best handling car i have ever owned. It did 90mph out of second and could make a U turn going 70mph and the tires would not squeak (Perrily’s CN36) very sol. I enjoyed that car too much.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Ended:Aug 02, 2021 , 8:14AM
    Winning bid:
    US $20,120.02
    [ 38 bids ]

    Like 1
  8. Avatar BOP_GUY Member

    This could almost be a twin of the one I bought in high school, back in the 80’s. The main difference between the two being mine was short one “i”. For a box they handle remarkably well, right up there with my 78 Volvo 242 GT. I always wanted to drive one of these! Considering fully restored pre-74 2002’s are going for a grip nowadays, the sales price of this one was right about right at $20k.

    Like 0

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