|
1975 BMW 2002
For Sale
Residence: Cambridge Mass.
$6250
This is a beautiful car. It runs smoothly and has been perfectly reliable while I've owned it (five years).
I garage it in the winter, and drive it daily in the spring-summer-fall. It needs nothing. There are very few
02s in the northeast that are this nice; fewer that are for sale; fewer still that can be had for this price.
A California car, it has no rust problem. Rust is a problem for 02s, especially on the rear shock towers, under
the heater blower on the firewall, in the front fender area, the rocker panels front and rear, and the floors. Mike
Macartney's BMW '02 Restoration Guide lists 18 places where rust is common on 2002's; this car has no rust history
at all in 16 of 18 places and has had slight rust dealt with in 2 of 18 (the spare tire well and the support member on the
passenger side of the gas tank).
The rockers, the strut towers, and so forth are free of rust. Once a 2002 gets to a certain point in rust, it's
all over. No problem with this one. Anything you decide to do to it on a superficial level (like new wheel center
caps, something I've been meaning to get but haven't gotten around to) will be worthwhile, since the bones of the car are
so solid. No sense maintaining or improving a car with a rusted out shell.
The engine runs smoothly, quietly, and reliably. It does not burn oil (the test on 02s is to decelerate, especially
in low rpms in 4th gear, and look for the tell-tale blue smoke out the exhaust; this engine passes the test perfectly).
The engine was rebuilt in the early 1990s, and has been driven 20K since the rebuild.
|
| drivers side |
|
|
At the same time, the transmission was rebuilt, clutch replaced, brakes replaced, exhaust replaced, Weber 32/36 carb
installed, new radiator, fuel pump, water pump, shicks and struts, brakes, master cylinder, and E30 wheels added.
Since that mechanical overhaul, the interior has been rebuilt--with OEM seat covers, OEM rubberized horsehair pads.
Springs and reclining mechanisms were repaired.
The entire front suspension was replaced with OEM parts in 2002: struts, strut bearings, tie rod ends, center steering
link, sway bar links, and A-arms with new bushings. The car is tight.
Rear shocks were also replaced at the time. The gas tank was sealed on the inside, and painted on the outside (POR15
gas tank kit).
The bottom line: the car is superb. it looks great. all it needs is a new driver who will love it, drive
it, and garage it in the winter. There aren't many stock 02s left, and this one deserves to be driven and preserved.
For a full history, keep reading
Car's history:
Nearly all the records since the car was purchased are assembled. The first record is from Northwest Motors
Limited in Toronto. When the car had 8751 miles, the oil and filter was changed (I would guess this was the third service,
the first two are missing). Cost: $8.69, Canadian.
The records, complete down to the present, fill a 1.5" 3-ring binder. Most of the service prior to the engine
and transmission rebuild in 1993 at MTC Motors in 1993 are not very relevant to the service you might need to supply the car,
but it's good to know a car's provenance.
In brief, this is the car's history:
1975-1992
1st owner, purchases car new in Toronto. Moves to Vancouver in 1977. Moves to northern California in
1981. Last record from 1st owner is in 1990. Total mileage: 129,000.
1992-1999
2nd owner, purchases car in northern California. First record is from 1992. Shocks and struts at Sears,
$120. Total mileage on 7/31/1993 is 161,130. At this point a rebuilt engine is installed. With 7000 miles
on rebuilt engine, the owner essentially stops driving car on account of illness.
1999-2000
3rd owner buys car in northern California. First record is from 1999. On 8/23/99 (when new alternator
is installed), mileage on rebuilt engine is 12,000. Total mileage on car is 175,000.
2000-2005
4th owner (me!) buys car in Cambridge MA, summer 2000. Previous owner, a student at Tufts, drove car here from
Calif. Total mileage is 178,000. Mileage on rebuild is 15,000. Car is tuned. Interior replaced.
Front windshield replaced, along with front and rear window gaskets, gas tank sealed, front suspension replaced with rear
shocks, new tires (Dunlop Sports) installed, door panels rebuit from new Masonite (waterproofed also). Alpine stereo
installed.
I have changed the oil (Castrol 20-50 semi synthetic) every 1500 miles. Brake fluid flushed every year.
Coolant every 2 years. Valves adjusted every year or so. The only engine part I added
has been a water pump.
Since purchase, I have driven car under 10,000 miles. Total mileage: 188,000. Mileage on rebuilt engine:
<25,000. Engine, as I noted above, is sweet. Do a compression test and proove it to yourself. Better
yet, drive it.
Accident History:
The first owner had some small body work done, but I can't read the receipt. Whatever it was, it was not consequential.
Three years ago I rear-ended another car. Afterward I replaced the nose and front fenders. When the body
shop was doing the work (Sanssosio's in Natick, 02 specialists), we were all amazed that there was no rust on the inside of
the front fenders where they meet the front of the cabin. The only reason I had the fenders replaced was because I figured
there would be rust in there somewhere, and since we were replacing the nose, might as well...
Well, no rust, so it was a waste. But good to know.
| passenger front |
|
| passenger rear |
|
| drivers front |
|
| drivers rear |
|
I have looked into what 02s go for and am convinced the asking price is fair. Ive seen some beautiful ones go for
3K more than I am asking. And I know of one in similar overall condition in Natick sell recently for 6K. You can
find 02s for less (many are 3-4K), but you won't find one this nice for less. Chances are that in the northeast, you
won't find one this nice. Please do not contact me if you are not prepared to entertain an offer at or near the asking
price.
Classic cars require a certain kind of "fit" with their owners. Unlike rolling appliances like Toyota Camry's,
they need to elicit affection, care--and a sense of fun. I have enjoyed the fact that I could work on cosmetics and
optional things, like fixing the interior, without having to worry about essentials, like the body and the engine. And
I've loved driving it around, of course. It's most fun, in my opinion, at 30-50 mph driving down a twisty country
road on a gracious summer afternoon. It's kind of fun(ny) that people comment on it whereever you do (a 90K Porsche
doesn't get the same attention). It's less fun on a 95 degree day (no a/c) at 70 mph on the interstate (noisy).
I ask that serious buyers only contact me. I can be reached at jrm1212@yahoo.com. I am happy to arrange a showing, test drive, and check-up at a nearby mechanic.
Does the car need anything?
For the near future (1-3 years), nothing in my opinion. I can think of only a few things the car might need over
the coming 3-7 years:
*a replacement window regulator for the passenger window (needs some hand-help at the very top of its stroke) .
This is an easy fix--I think I even have the part.
* a heater box rebuild (sometimes in the fall the fan makes an intermitent noise--I oil it now and then from the front).
This is a time-consuming job (on the 2002 message boards, they call it the "dreaded heater box rebuild.") But it requires
no special skills, and is not something you should pay someone else to do. I have all the detailed DIY information.
* at some point I would replace the front wheel bearings. I have repacked them and am happy with the outcome.
* the paint on the roof and the trunk is not as glossy and pure as the paint on the hood and the sides. It shows
small scratches and imperfections. None of this "shows up" from five feet, but you can tell upon close inspection.
If I were to keep it, at some point I would have the roof and the trunk repainted. I asked my friends at Sanssosio's
to do it--but they seem to think I am out of my mind, and keep putting off giving me an estimate for the job.
None of these "needs" are imminent. As it stands, it looks great, runs with perfect reliability (I have done
NO repairs from necessity in all the time Ive owned it). Were these things done, the car would come to perfection.
It is close as is. It is one of the best 02s you will find.
|
