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Why, Oh Why? 1972 BMW 2002 Tii

Occasionally, a rare car pops up on Copart for auction that is worth a closer look. This 1972 BMW 2002 Tii is one example of such an oddity. Tii’s were unique – factory fuel injection made for an engine that was slightly more powerful than stock. These cars were good for about 130 horsepower compared to 100 hp from the carbureted version. This example seems to be pretty solid compared to most on the market today. Find it here on Copart with a current bid of $9,700.

Unfortunately, it looks as though a Weber progressive carb has replaced the factory fuel injection. The good news, though, is that the car is said to run and drive as is. Fuel injection systems can be had, but they will cost a pretty penny (or five). The engine compartment shows no real signs of corrosion on the engine, and the paint looks incredibly clean.

The interior seems very clean, the seat covers are probably usable and the dash looks borderline immaculate. Given that the car is located in California, I would have to take a guess that this car is indeed an original 44k mile car as the listing says. the door sills seem solid and the seats look like they haven’t rolled past 100k yet.

The coolest part about this car, though, is the body. The typical rust seems to be non-existent. Round taillights are present. If you look at the first picture, you’ll see a factory sunroof. The original paint looks like a little bit of polishing compound will bring it back to a nice shine, too. I’m personally inclined to say that this car could be left as it, aside from some detailing, and driven as a clean survivor for years to come.

Comments

  1. Avatar Luki

    It’s not a tii with that vin #.

    Like 0
    • Avatar pbryantr

      I agree. Also there is no clock on the dash. And the dash looks to be a 73+ with the seat belt reminder, if I recall correctly. There is a snorkel nose, which was not present on the Tii model, but many are swapped in because of nose damage from collisions.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Luki

        Dash is the same as earlier. The seat belt light mounts to the top of the dash with two screws.
        I believe this was added when the seat belts became inertia reel type in mid year 1972 model.

        Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      Wow, thanks for bringing that my attention! So someone is most likely going to overpay thinking their getting a real Tii! What is it worth IF it was a Tii? How much is this non-Tii roundie worth?

      Like 1
  2. Avatar Ray Vesterinen, SWEDEN

    It’s a regular 2002, the VIN should start with 276 not 257 if it was a genuine tii.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      Good to know!

      Like 0
    • Avatar alan

      I had a 72 tii and you are correct that 276 started the vin.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Vance L Jochim

    I owned a 72 tii with gold metalflake paint from about 1975 to 1980. I bought it used for about $5000, over original sticker price, due to the famous article about it written by David E. Davis in Sports Car Graphic (I think). It ran like stink, but I had to rebuild the engine after 3 years. I sold it around 1970 to a yuppy attorney for $5000 because my new employer gave me a Buick company car. Oh, but I still had my other car, a 1965 Shelby clone Mustang convertible which I DID keep and still have it. But I miss that Iii. Too bad this apparently is not a real one. The fuel injection was mechanical, and 1972 was the last year I think of the mechanical systems due to California smog laws.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Dolphin Member

    Luki is right. This car’s VIN decodes as a 1971 2002.

    tii VINs started with 27XXXXX

    Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      Are you sure it isn’t a 72 model produced in 71?

      Like 0
    • Avatar Woodie Man

      It has the long sided rear bumper which I think began in 1972. Reminds me of my ’72 if not in the condition . Unless my memory fails me and it might….. I think it has a ’74-76 steering wheel.

      Like 0
  5. Avatar Dave Wright

    Reminds me of the time I saw a Mercedes 300D advertised with a manual transmission at a dealer in Southern California. That would have been a euro spec 5 cylinder car…..had to go look. It was a 240D with 300 badging they had taken on trade………had no idea. Didn’t feel too sorry for them.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar alan

    A pilfered badge does not a tii make.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar alan

    What about all the missing trim on the belt line?

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Todd

    It also does not have the tii brake booster.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Bill

    There was a BMW dealership across the street from my high school back in the early 70’s. They’d be unloading car carriers full of these things from time to time. Thought they were ugly then and my thinking hasn’t changed. Each to his own, I guess.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar James K Member

    Everyone, my apologies.
    I should’ve done more research before claiming this was a real Tii.
    For future reference, if you know something I don’t about a car, say something like you guys did. I know a lot about some cars, but not much about others.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      You can’t know everything about every car! It fooled me! I didn’t know enough to know that it isn’t a Tii. FYI, I’m the one that informed you about this car (and didn’t get any credit).

      Like 0
    • Avatar Jason

      The real questions is: Would Copart revise their listing?

      Like 0
      • Avatar JamestownMike

        Revise their listing?? They have it listed as a 1972 2002 model, what’s to revise? They don’t claim it’s a Tii model.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Jesse Staff

        I believe it was listed as a Tii on Copart.

        Like 0
      • Avatar JamestownMike

        Jesse, No sir, not listed as a Tii on Copart.

        Like 0
  11. Avatar Pete Member

    Doesn’t that look like a standard carbureted engine in the picture?

    Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      James K already pointed that out in the initial listing.

      Like 0
  12. Avatar redwagon

    for what it is worth …….

    the line “doc type” begins with ‘wa’ which means that it is at copart due to water damage. could be small, could be large but it is there for all to see.

    something else i learned about copart. the seller has a chance to bid after the auction is over. it is called a counter bid. in essence it reveals the reserve.

    “Counter Bid

    A Counter Bid is a bid that the Seller makes to counter the high bidder’s offer. Counter bids are made directly following the sale of vehicles designated by the Seller as Minimum to Bid or Bid to Be Approved. Members acknowledge and agree that regardless of any counter bids made by the Seller, Members’ high bids on these vehicles shall remain open to acceptance by the Seller until 6 p.m. the next business day after the sale day.”

    most interesting.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      FACTS to keep in mind………..

      The “WA” indicates the state the title is from (Washington).

      This isn’t a “water/flood” car as redwagon claims, otherwise it would be noted as such. Primary damage is listed as “all over”.

      High bid needs to be approved. The seller can; accept the high bid, counter bid or relist.

      Like 0
  13. Avatar Bob S

    I have a 72 2002. As others have mentioned, not a Tii, and not worth $9K. Well I hope it is worth $9K. Does look like a Good candidate for improvement though. I’d guess it should sell in the $3500 to $5000 range.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Luki

    There are no bids on this car. The opening bid is $9700, no takers.

    According to the conditions of sale it can only be sold to a Dismantler, Dealer or Exporter. Not retail.

    Like 0
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      It’s been bid up to $9,700. The seller didn’t approve the sale at $9,700 so it was relisted at the last high bid amount for this Thursday nights sale (9pm). If no one bids during the night sale, it’ll be relisted the next regular sale day with bidding starting over at ZERO. Obviously the seller wants more than $9,700. Not being a real Tii, it seems that’s about twice it’s worth! Just an FYI, Copart fees (buy fees, gate fees and internet fees) are REALLY high!

      Correct, you can only bid on it if your a Dismantler, Dealer or Exporter (unless a private party buyer uses a broker).

      Like 0
      • Avatar Jason

        That bidding/buying process sounds like a pain!

        Like 1
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      As I suspected, no one bid during the night sale (no one usually does). So it’s been relisted and bids have started at ZERO. The seller should of took the high bid of $9,700! I doubt it’ll go that high again.

      Like 0
  15. Avatar Doug Towsley

    Price seems high to me, Guess it doesnt hurt to try,,,Looks in nice condition and be a good project for someone but the truth would be in a inspection.
    I had one of these as a standard BMW 2002. Fun little car. On a couple times my girlfriend at the time and I would go out as Yuppies and dress up as such, She called me Biff and I called her Barbie. This was early 1990s and I had a fake cell phone that was actually a drink cup. You sucked the drink thru the antenna on the brick cell phone that was actually a straw. We pretended to make calls with it. Had a lot of laughs.
    I had a Datsun 510 at the time as I like those. One day I jacked both up in the air side by side, and DAMN! The 510 and 2002 are darn near identical except the engine but suspension wise very similar. I eventually had to make a choice of too many cars and mine was getting worn out and tired. Needed a full rebuild so I sold it. But it WAS fun. These German cars have a funny distinctive smell inside. All the 1970s versions smell funny. Must be something in the upholstery.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Dave Wright

      They used real horse hair in the upholstery.

      Like 0
  16. Avatar misterlou Member

    I love it when car nerds bring the slap down! No worries James, you can’t be an expert on the nuances of all marques.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar jmuder

    These cars were so cheap to buy back in the mid 80s, I saw a lot of people turn them into factory stock race cars running on oval track. I-70 Speedway in Odessa Missouri.

    Like 0

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