Vehicle Description
It's hard to over-state just how important the BMW 2002 was to both
the company that created it and the current state of the automotive
industry. Fun to drive small cars were nothing new, but cars like
this 1976 BMW 2002 proved that practical cars could also be a hoot.
Forget two-seat roadsters with leaky tops, THIS is how you have
your cake and eat it, too.
Right now, the BMW 2002 is a popular "buy and hold" recommendation.
And for good reason, because finding a 2002 that hasn't A) been
beaten to death, or B) rusted from the inside out, or C) modified
beyond recognition is getting tough these days. Fortunately, this
one sticks to the factory recipe and has enjoyed the ministrations
of an owner who understood that excessive modifications don't
necessarily make a better 2002. It has been repainted in basic
black, which looks fantastic, and you can see how well it fits
together, how the doors close with typical Teutonic precision, and
that the paint still shines up quite well. No, the shape won't win
any beauty contests, but if you're a car guy in the know, you'll
recognize it from a mile away and have a little smile, knowing that
the person behind the wheel is probably laughing like a lunatic as
he bends the little sedan into the next corner. Don't let its looks
fool you, this little Bimmer has the heart of a sports car.
The BMW was an expensive car when it was new, and it carries a very
German sense of luxury and style inside. Of course, like many
European cars of the era, it's definitely no-nonsense, with firm,
supportive bucket seats and a clear, easy-to-read instrument panel
that tells you everything you need to know. The seats are freshly
upholstered in lovely tan vinyl that looks luxurious, the carpets
remain in excellent shape thanks to a set of matching floor mats,
and the door panels are new as well. Some faux woodgrained material
on the instrument panel warms things up, but you can tell they only
threw that in for us Yanks, but the big, clear gauges are easy to
read and definitely fit with the 2002's no-nonsense personality.
It's easy to get comfortable inside and from the commanding driving
position, you'll be able to clip apexes more precisely than Kim
Kardashian's plastic surgeon. It also includes a JVC AM/FM/CD
stereo head unit that's a nice upgrade as well as a nice, big,
usable trunk that carries a proper carpet mat.
With 1990 cc displacement, the gutsy four-cylinder engine
over-achieves and delivers a ripping exhaust note that you'll have
to hear to understand. The spotless engine bay is neatly detailed
and the engine was rebuilt about 8000 miles ago, so it's ready to
rock. There's a rebuilt carburetor, new alternator, and with a
recent tune-up (including belts and hoses) it's mechanically
excellent. Note that the block itself is canted at 30 degrees to
allow for the low hood line and center of gravity, and it exhales
through a great-sounding exhaust system with trademark center
tailpipes. The 4-speed manual gearbox is a joy to run through the
gears as the engine screams towards redline, and the car's fully
independent suspension is both secure and smooth-riding, which is
part of this car's magic. And thanks to recent service work,
braking is plenty powerful given the car's welterweight class.
Brand new Konig wheels look a lot like vintage Minilites and carry
fat 195/50/15 Michelin radials.
There's a reason these cars are legendary, and super-clean original
examples like this are eagerly snapped up by knowledgeable
enthusiasts. Don't wait, because this one just won't last. Call
today!