trade my E30 for a '76 2002?

[tyleRcoey]

i have very mixed feelings...

i love 2002's, and have wanted one even longer than ive wanted an E30, but i absolutely fell in love with E30s after owning them and wonder if a 2002 could compare.

the 2002 appears very clean, owner says there is no rust in any of the trouble spots (namely the shock towers), ect. my concern is i dont know my way around the car like i do an E30, but i didnt know my way around an E30 before owning one, so im sure ill learn. also im pretty attached to this particular E30 because its so incredibly clean.

2002 owners, could you chime in with some pitfalls to these cars? ive read up on the common issues, but id love to hear some first hand knowledge.

buhhh help me make up my mind.

my E30 -











the 2002-

[naplesE30]

Do it, only prob is sourcing parts for the 02. What are you using your car for? D.D. Do you use the highway a lot? Etc all depends on your uses.

[naplesE30]

A 2002 that clean is much less common then your e30, even as nice a yours.

[Bene]

what are those things on your headlights?

[blunttech]

e30 is a better car for a daily. 02 has primitive hvac and will require more maintenance all things equal. From my point of view an 02 makes a better 2nd car than a primary car. Ive owned a lot of different BMW's and i keep coming back to the e30 for a daily. They are both fun and the 02 will garner more attn. depending on where you live
a 76 isnt one of the more desirable 02's in my mind

[B Randon]

check, floors,pedal box, around the front and rear window,front wheel wheels, rockers nose,frame rails, the bar that goes from the rear subframe to the body of the car, an towers for any rust. also check the engine rubber mounts, an trans mount. other then that the m10 are easy to work on and keep up.

[goinstrong]

The 2002 will be simpler to work on than your E30, so I wouldn't be concerned about that at all. If the 2002 is a manual, go for it! Get under the car and make sure the floor pans are solid. Also, there are 2 braces that attach under the rear seat. Pull the rear seat and make sure there is no rust around those supports. Another common rust spot is the spare tire wheel well...
Your E30 looks like it is in very good shape, by the way...
I think you will enjoy the 2002. Good luck.

Tim

[Mlarsen]

If this isn't going to be your DD, do it.

[DrJosh]

I would do it! That is a clean 2002.

[pureaudio]

The 02 looks to be in decent shape but so does your e30, I would thoroughly check for hidden rust. There looks to be some overspray in the engine bay so that would could be hiding something.

Other than that, as a 2nd car I much prefer my 2002 over an e30. If you were looking for a daily, the 2002 might get tedious but there are a lot of people that love it.

[tyleRcoey]

i daily my E36 M3...
the E30 is rarely driven.

the car is also out of town by a few hours making taking a look require a decent amount of commitment.

if it were a round tail light 2002 id already be driving there though haha

[A_Whelan]

I think 2002's that clean are few and far between. E30's seem more common and I think the trade would be worth it because of that. Add to the fact that you have your M3 for daily and it seems like a good trade. Good luck and let us know!

[bostonbmw]

if it were a round tail light 2002 id already be driving there though haha

yeah, hold out for a round taillight car!

[hyperE30]

what are those things on your headlights?

Now, those are ninja razor blades to keep them damn bugs off the headlights...

[325ix]

Now, those are ninja razor blades to keep them damn bugs off the headlights...

Exactly! Or for you more pedestrian E30 drivers they are known as headlight washing system.