New 2002 Owner (First Car)

[CrimsonKarter27]

I just bought a '73 2002 today on Ebay for $2,000 and change. It is the last of the roundies, and She is my new baby.

Some of my questions are:
How much would a good paintjob cost?
and
How much would an engine rebuilding cost?


I'm not even old enough to drive the car, at only 15, would this make me the youngest 2002 owner in America?


Mitch

[vashts1985]

congrats on the buy. do all the work yourself, you will enjoy and appreceate the car more.

does the engin in it work?

seems an odd choice for someone your age but it shows you have a good eye for the classics :D

[70roundtail02]

Nice job dude, welcome to the board, hopefully you haven't gotten yourself into too much of a project. Even then you have some time to get it up on par before your cruising it around. Congrats on the purchase, now lets see some pics.

[my2002tii]

Congrats you your auction win.

Some things to think about with the 73 - it was the last year and has some hard to find parts that were only made for one year on it, like the grills and the rear bumper setup.

The front bumper mounting brackets are still around but are pretty pricey now too.

You might want to check into the new long block/OEM deal with a warranty from any BMW dealer.

Seems like they were in the $3K price range but well worth it - chances are it is most likely a new engine all together for that price. The Germans get good corporate tax breaks for recycling engines so they call even new ones recycled just to get the tax break!

Paint jobs can vary in cost depending on where you live.

Like the others said, do the work yourself, you will learn to take pride in a great car and what you learn applies to many cars you will own in the future.

[LIP277]

As far as the bumpers go....

I received the following from Maximillion Parts (back when Paul worked there for those that remember him...)


Bumper Info
FRONT:
left or right chrome ends, ea. $189.00
center chrome section $198.00
impact strip, ea. $54.50
rubber horn pad, ea. $13.25
chrome 73 horns, ea. $61.00
brackets, ea. $26.00
hardware kit for above (fasteners) $65.00


REAR:
left or right chrome end, ea. $169.00
center chrome section $229.00
impact strip $128.00
Euro joint cover, ea. $21.00
rear 67-72 brkt, ea. $16.00
hardware kit $65.00

Rear horns and 73 bracket rubber covers
are NLA - but the rest is easy!

Note the prices are about ~ 4 years old by now. The REAL OEM web site will have the part numbers if you're interested.

While the 1973 US 2002 had a unique bumper (limited to that one year in the US) - The European (and I think Canadian) 2002's used the set-up through 1977 (all the way to the last 1502's) so - Just depending on what you want - kinda pricey.

Just don't hit anything.

:D

[Cali02]

I'm 15, i turn 16 next month and take my license test on my birthday, we bought my 2002 when i was in 6th grade. Since we bought it for $800, we've resprayed it its original golf yellow, put eibach springs and bilstein sports on it and also new seals everywhere. We also rebuilt the head and cleaned everything in the engine including the engine bay, it was pretty dirty from an oil leak it had in one of the valves. I did the work with my dad and I love driving it, it is the greatest car, i think you'll enjoy yours very much

~Kevin

[Ohtwo]

I'm 15, i turn 16 next month and take my license test on my birthday, we bought my 2002 when i was in 6th grade. Since we bought it for $800, we've resprayed it its original golf yellow, put eibach springs and bilstein sports on it and also new seals everywhere. We also rebuilt the head and cleaned everything in the engine including the engine bay, it was pretty dirty from an oil leak it had in one of the valves. I did the work with my dad and I love driving it, it is the greatest car, i think you'll enjoy yours very much

~Kevin

I was 16 when I bought my 02. I'm 17 now. Its not the ideal High School car with the passengers complaining, and it not being the most practical car. BUT, you can have a lot of fun in an 02 while doing the speed limit, and you won't have to worry about falling asleep at the wheel. These cars tingle the senses, and make even highway trips alot of fun.

Whats wrong with the engine? Have you done a compression check?

[BlackMagyk2002]

I'm 14 and bought a 75. Currently getting the paint stripped. :(

[74tii]

I think this a sign that the next generation is going to kick some ass ..

[tommozza]

Welcome aboard and congrats on the purchase! I bought my first 02 at 15 as well and what started out as a 1 car resto has turned into an "02 disease" where you just keep buying them. I like this disease though!

Tom

[cheechthechi]

I was 16 when I bought my 02. I'm 17 now. Its not the ideal High School car with the passengers complaining, and it not being the most practical car. BUT, you can have a lot of fun in an 02 while doing the speed limit, and you won't have to worry about falling asleep at the wheel. These cars tingle the senses, and make even highway trips alot of fun.

Whats wrong with the engine? Have you done a compression check?

I agree.. I got my '75 2002 when I was 16 and now am 17. The great thing about these cars is the driving experience. My friends used to give me grief about my car... that is till i took them on a ride:) . As stated before do the work by yourself and you'll get alot more out of the car.. just make sure and do research before you remove anything.. it'll help you alot in the long run.

[ridr4lif]

I bought mine when i was 15 too. Mine was a little more tho, 2500 bux.

As for a paintjob, it all depends on how much prep work you want to do. My brother did all the prep work (primer, masking, etc.) and got charged $1000 to have the paint sprayed on and the car wetsanded.

As for an engine rebuild, it all depends on what you want to do with the motor. If you are doing a total rebuild with performance parts, expect to spend a lot more. I think i have about 2500-3000 into my motor right now in parts/labor (headwork).

Check out sites like bmw2002.com, racetep.com, kormanfastbmw.com for starters. They all have quite a few performance parts.

Personally, i'd get the body and suspension set first, unless of course the engine is in dire need of work. Suspension work will put a real quick smile on your face once you dust a 300hp car in the twisites. For a nice suspension set up, i run the H&R/Bilstein kit from BMP Design as well as Ireland sways and TEP strut braces. Probably a total of about 1200-1500 on suspension alone. Its worth it.

[92065CWR]

age 14- 1994 325is
age 16- 1970 2002
Current age 17
Having cars kicks ass
I agree with the whole do the work yourself mindset... For me it's so much more rewarding.

[Echo]

As everyone else has said, make sure that you try to do all the work yourself. its easy enough on these old things. My best advice, would just be to learn as much as possible. Ask questions if you have them (even if you think they are stupid). The more you learn now, the better. Also, make sure you pick up a repair manual, and a decent set of tools, and you'll be good to go. Congrats.

Cheers,
Jonas

[tommozza]

Wow, i didnt realise how many young 02 owners there were!:buttrock :redspot

[trucidatio]

Im 18 here... and have owned my 73' 2002 for about 4 months now, and loved every second of it.... and my friends have really accepted my car and liked it.

[vtbimmer]

Congrats on the '02 purchase. Have fun but be safe.
Damn! At thirty you guys make me feel old. :(

[D_ALPINE_M]

Welcome and congrats on the purchase....

Engine: Run compression and leak down test. Check for leaks and so forth. Then you can factor out what it would cost to do a rebuild. Hopefully there are not major issues.

Paint: Do the body work yourself and if you know some one that can spray it you will save quite a few.

[CrimsonKarter27]

I'm back. I have $1000 left in the bank now. The car already has new suspension, so I'll check it out when I pick it up. If the suspension is nice, I'll try to get an engine rebuild, just base, with no performance parts. Later on, as I get more money, I'll buy new engine parts, and just upgrade from there.
Also, I think I'll wait until next school year to paint it, because we have a state-of-the-art paint booth at my trade school, and I'll probably be in that class. Hopefully, the floorboards aren't completely rusted, but if they are, it shouldn't be a huge problem, because we have a new plasma cutter, and a welding class a couple of shops down from me.

Another question of mine is:
How many miles can these engines put on? I know during the turbo era of F1 BMW made customer engines of these stock blocks, but is 150,000 miles too much. The owner says that the car has been very well maintained. I think a new carb would be cool too, a Weber, maybe?

I've got to go now, feel free to ask me any kinds of questions, as well as good tips, and advice.

-Mitch

[74tii]

Dude if you haven't even ran the car don't worry about rebuilding. Like JAY says you can compression test it, or just drive the thing and see how it runs.

It is not unusual for 2002 engines to run for 200k miles w/no problems. I found this beut in a field

http://www.jeffersonfreestate.org/70sahara/70_sahara_z_001_med.jpg

and got it going. Been driving it for the last 6 months -- doesn't even burn any oil!!

So don't go rebuilding an engine that doesn't need it =-- I guess thats my advice :) :)

have fun!

-zachary

[Ohtwo]

My engine has 95k miles on it, and has only had the head rebuilt(20k ago). It burns some oil, but the compression is even across all 4 cylinders (130 PSI). I think most of the oil consumption is from the head. It smokes on deacceleration at high RPM.

This leads me to believe the bottom ends are pretty strong, and its the head that is a weak point. Luckily the head is alot easier to rebuild than the rest of the engine. I don't think you should be concerned.

[CrimsonKarter27]

So, is 130psi a good compression for a 2002?
Sorry, I don't know too much about engines, just the basics, I like paint more...

[cancell]

Welcome to the club mayn :buttrock

Most of us here should be able to answer any questions you might have, and don't be afriad to ask. I've learned tons on this board and you will too.

I'm 19 currently, turn 20 in may. I acquired my 02' when I was 15, and my e46 when I was 17. (Parents thought the '02 was too old to be a reliable college car, psh w/e. :()

Like the others say, take the car for a drive before you go off and start fixing things that aren't broken. BUT, that doesn't mean alittle preventative maintinence shouldn't be done before you do any mods ;)

Welcome again, hope you enjoy :buttrock

[CrimsonKarter27]

Thanks. One more thing, though:
I want to get a new performance exhaust/muffler. I'd like something cheap, looks good, sounds good, and the tip to be located in the center rear of the car, I like the way that looks. Any suggestions?

[72Red2002TII]

I was 15 when i got my 72 tii now im 17 xD...still under restoration though =(....

[tommozza]

Thanks. One more thing, though:
I want to get a new performance exhaust/muffler. I'd like something cheap, looks good, sounds good, and the tip to be located in the center rear of the car, I like the way that looks. Any suggestions?

You would be after an ANSA Exhaust then:buttrock

Bavauto sells them: http://www.bavauto.com/se1.asp?dept_id=201
Part #: BW 0225 ( BW0225 ) and Part #: BW 0227 ( BW0227 )

[CrimsonKarter27]

I figured someone'd say Ansa. I'll research a little more.

[74tii]

Irelands stainless package is also nice

http://www.bmw2002.com/

[Ohtwo]

So, is 130psi a good compression for a 2002?
Sorry, I don't know too much about engines, just the basics, I like paint more...

It is typically higher for most 02s. My car is a 76 with low compression pistons, which is somwhere around 8:1 or 8:5:1. The 292 cam may also be casusing low numbers. They say an engine should be fine, if the numbers are even across all four cylinders. It doesn't burn oil on acceleration, and the numbers didn't increase when oil was added through the spark plug hole, so I can assume the bottom end is in good shape.

[Ohtwo]

I figured someone'd say Ansa. I'll research a little more.

www.bmw2002FAQ.com I just made a long post about the Ansa Sport muffler and resonator in the General Discussion forum.

[7602]

My first car was a 2002 also, got it free from my dad, I was 15.

[CrimsonKarter27]

I was just looking at gas prices around my house, and that reminded me, how many mpg does a 2002 get?

[canard]

I got my first 2002 when I was 13.. I got my current 2002Tii when I was 15.. I rebuilt the motor in both cars, and learned a lot from it. I had my Tii painted by a shop, and with some rust repair the total price was $2600...

I have custom dual side exit exhaust.. its loud as hell.. here are some <a href="http://www.spencersteffen.com/gallery/gallery_view.cfm?cid=52" target="_blank">pics</a>

There sure is a bunch of us young 2002 owners! we should start a club :D

Excellent choice on your car by the way. 2002's rock!

[tommozza]

I have custom dual side exit exhaust.. its loud as hell.. here are some <a href="http://www.spencersteffen.com/gallery/gallery_view.cfm?cid=52" target="_blank">pics</a>

holy moly...that looks awsome as! i want one!!

[Ohtwo]

I was just looking at gas prices around my house, and that reminded me, how many mpg does a 2002 get?

10-30 mpg

I'm disappointed in the fuel economy considering the performance and size of the car.

[canard]

holy moly...that looks awsome as! i want one!!

When I downshift it shoots flames.... :D It was custom built by my buddy Blake Stiller at Stillbuilt Motorsports.. (stillbuiltmotorsports.com) He could make you one..

[have2002want850]

wow...i'm not alone...i'm 16 and i just got my license 4 months ago along with my mom's '76 2002 that was kept in excelent condition...it has 145K mi and had an engine rebuild at 110K mi so it moves good...was driving along this weekend and i saw a few 2002 enthusist with thier 74 tii's and i drove with them through them in the bay area east bay mountains....awesome drive..handled great...best it ever felt...but the tii's had some speed on me...my uncle had a 74 tii and i wish i had it but it was totaled...anyway...glad to see more young 2002 owners...their awesome!! only thing they really need is a paint job, i have a really nice maroon....i love the looks of it...but it still has the stock 76 wheels...any idea's for a relatively cheap upgrade

[HarryPR]

i love the looks of it...but it still has the stock 76 wheels...any idea's for a relatively cheap upgrade

A great wheel update is E30 wheels. The "bottlecaps" used on standard 325's can be had for less than $100 a set in many places. However, the best upgrade is to use the 318is and 325is BBS basketweave wheels. They can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 a set. Just make sure they are straight and that they include the centercaps (whixh are fairly expensive).

Here's a pic of my car with the basketweaves :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/bonkosky/My%20Cars/schwarzLudwig.jpg

[aged racer]

Fortunately I inherited a set of basketweaves. Harry- what size tires are on your wheels in that picture ? They fill out the wheelwells nicely.

Thks

[tommozza]

wow...i'm not alone...i'm 16 and i just got my license 4 months ago along with my mom's '76 2002 that was kept in excelent condition...it has 145K mi and had an engine rebuild at 110K mi so it moves good...was driving along this weekend and i saw a few 2002 enthusist with thier 74 tii's and i drove with them through them in the bay area east bay mountains....awesome drive..handled great...best it ever felt...but the tii's had some speed on me...my uncle had a 74 tii and i wish i had it but it was totaled...anyway...glad to see more young 2002 owners...their awesome!! only thing they really need is a paint job, i have a really nice maroon....i love the looks of it...but it still has the stock 76 wheels...any idea's for a relatively cheap upgrade

mmm, there seem to be a lot of 02ers around the Bay Area.

http://www.bayarea02.com/

Enjoy:) !
Tom

[SOUTHBAYeric]

The best advice ever given: if it aint broke. . .dont fix it

[LeftCoastBias]

I think this a sign that the next generation is going to kick some ass ..
it's at least VERY interesting that so many younger buyers are interested in this model.


that's pretty insane.

[2002maniac]

Welcome to the '02 cult! I was 16 when I bought my first '02 and now I'm on my 3rd which is getting all the goodies I've been hoarding since then :)

My advice would be to go through the timing and cooling systems first, make sure everything else is reliable and drive the piss out of it! Fix when needed. And DONT CRASH IT!! There arent a ton of these cars left, respect that.

[HarryPR]

Fortunately I inherited a set of basketweaves. Harry- what size tires are on your wheels in that picture ? They fill out the wheelwells nicely.



Tires are Yokohama 185/60-14's. I had initially installed 195/60 tires, but they rubbed against the body in front.


it's at least VERY interesting that so many younger buyers are interested in this model.


that's pretty insane.

A warning to you young 'uns : THIS IS AN ADDICTION!

I bought my first '02 at 19 , and have owned at least one (sometimes two or three at a time) since then. I'm currently 48...

[2002maniac]

it's at least VERY interesting that so many younger buyers are interested in this model.


that's pretty insane.
Also interesting that this sub-forum seems to be the most mature, with little flaming and BS.

2002's rule! :buttrock

[canard]

Also interesting that this sub-forum seems to be the most mature, with little flaming and BS.

2002's rule! :buttrock


You are absolutly right. :)

[tommozza]

mmm, i agree too

[Helmetboy]

I think this a sign that the next generation is going to kick some ass ..

Amen to that!:buttrock