What does r3v think about a nice little 2002?

[mikeb23ft]

I'm going to look at a blue over tan 1976 2002 sometime this weekend. The lady is selling it for $2k, so even though I already have two cars I feel like I have to check it out...that's pretty cheap. Supposedly had a lot of work done it recently. It's a 4 speed and I've seen some pics of it, looks clean. If there's no rust and the body is straight I think there is a good chance it comes home with me. I like the M10 engine a lot though I've never owned one...but I like the idea of an M20 swap in a 2k2 even better.

[MaksV]

for that kind of money do it.

[rav320uk]

Get it bought!!
That's my next car to add to my fleet.

[woodisgood]

Now searching Columbia craigslist........be right back.

[mikeb23ft]

Now searching Columbia craigslist........be right back.

Ha! Not on craigslist.

[02fanatic]

Good luck! If this is your first '02, I hope you have alot of garage space, because it won't be your last! Ask me how I know! :D

John

[N2MYE30]

All of the above post are relevant to me. I have a couple of bones in my pocket just for the purchase of an 2002...even if I already have 2 e30s. It woulda been a done deal for me. My post would have read..."What does r3v think about MY nice little 2002!" :)

[kronus]

at 2k it should be pretty nice. I got a 5-speed swapped, pretty clean one for 1000.

[SteveJ]

Get yourself over to BMW2002FAQ.com and do some reading. Better yet, take pictures and ask questions there.

76 is the last year for the 02's. Big bumpers, they are not the most desireable, but still good, fun cars. Rust is your main concern. Get on your knees and check the rocker panels especially at the back near the wheel well. Take a small hammer and tap on the metal. Any rust or filler will sound very different. Other common rust areas- the vertical seam at the back of the front fenders, the rear wheel arches- feel underneath for filler, the rear shock mounts inside the trunk. The lower corners of the doors are prone to getting rust bubbles, as is all around the upper waist trim.

Mechanically, it should start, drive, steer, and stop with no issues. The steering boxes loosen up over time and cause a clunk when going left to right. May be able to tighten it up a bit. The cooling system works really well as long as it was taken care of. As soon as they start adding Autozone or PepBoys parts, the system goes down hill. Get new BMW hoses, water pump, thermostat, cap and real BMW coolant for trouble-free cooling.

Brakes are decent for the cars, again, use the right parts when doing the work.

Interior bits (and most mechanical) are interchangeable from year to year. New seat covers can be had from World Upholstery. Hopefully, the gummihar pads are not too far gone. For some reason the later car interiors did not hold up as well as the early cars.

A sign of a coddled car, or a well restored one, will be a crack free dash.

----
SteveJ
72 tii, 83 320is, 88 M3, 99 E46, 08 R55 MCS,
...and too many bikes.

[graphikg]

Dream car - do it...! And show us some pics.

[D-rock]

Ive been looking for one for a while as well. I also hear 76 was not a good year.

I love this front number and fenders

http://www.stanceworks.com/2012/04/the-path-we-tread-patrick-brunss-72-bmw-2002/

[kronus]

76 is not desirable in CA because you have to get it smogged. Other states have their own laws.

[Fleksta]

If there's no rust and the body is straight I think there is a good chance it comes home with me.

There is no such thing as a 2002 without rust; check it over very carefully.

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/content/view/80/32/

[SkiFree]

I cannot stress enough the importance of getting a PPI done for these cars, even the '76 is nearly 40 years old. You are fortunate enough to live in South Carolina, which seems to have a larger-than-usual influx of knowledgeable '02 shops around. Find one close to you.

[02fanatic]

I have to disagree that '76 is not a good year..it is absolutely the best year for non-round taillight '02's (except for the smog laiden CA '02's). '75 is the main year you want to avoid. '74 is fine too, especailly if your state has inspections....pre '75 cars are usually exempt from smog (even visual only).

Just like most makes of cars, the last year made is often the best (at least, in this case, for rect taillight '02's).

Oh yeah, $2k is on the low side for a well maintained drivable '02 w/o significant rust, and the days of cheap replacement parts are over, so just do your due diligence or you could end up with a money pit.

John