My First Car!! - United Bimmer Community

**newest2002tiiowner** · 07-28-2006, 12:24 AM

I just bought my first car! I found a 1974 2002tii for $800 on craigslist. It has some rust damage in the trunk, and some type of sap or salt water ate through the paint on the roof. The last owner put 320 wheels on it and put a new stereo system in it. Some of the gaskets around the windows are wearing and the leather seats are pretty well torn up, but came with covers. There are a few engine problems, but it has 162,000 miles on it.
There is a mount loose under the stick, which makes a rattle/grinding noise when running, but easily fixable. It idles around 900 rpm, which makes it seem like it's going to stall, but it is also easily fixed with a simple engine tuning. It came with no driver door lock, and the passenger door lock doesnt lock with the key. The only working lock is on the trunk. The locks are first up on the list of repairs, closely followed by either touch-up paint or new seats. Luckily one of my co-workers is also a BMW enthusiast, and was actually the one who showed me the ad. My dad is willing to pay him to come over and work on the engine with me.
My dad has a 2002 that is getting professionally refurbished, has been for the last 3 years. The guy that is painting my dad's car has a 2002ti that he is willing to sell for $300. I am looking into buying the car for the parts, because the parts I need would cost a lot more than that in the end. Hopefully I can get it running well within a few months and it can become a good car to learn the basics of BMW mechanics so that I can make a living of it. I seriously doubt it, but I can dream right?

witeshark · 07-28-2006, 12:46 AM

A 2002 restore! I am trying the same on a 325i - Almost done here, a water pump to go!

**celsdogg** · 07-28-2006, 10:08 AM

2002tii FTW!

this is really your first car tho? a restoration project? your much braver than me!

when you get a chance, try posting up some pics, of all three of those 2002's!

nick_318is · 07-28-2006, 03:17 PM

Welcome to the site, Cool car I have always wanted a 2002.

**Spieluhr** · 07-28-2006, 04:25 PM

that is a great project to have! You have such a cool car there, a lot of potential for the track!

**TJsBimm** · 07-29-2006, 12:57 AM

Sweet car, good luck on the rebuild.....it will be quite the ride when finished.

**RealBmw 02** · 08-07-2006, 03:31 PM

glad to see another 02 owner on the forum. You're going to love the car. I have had nothing but good times in the five years I have owned mine. Good luck on the restore. Can't wait to see some pics

BTW, are you sure it's not something like 150,000 miles? The odometer on mine only goes up to 99,999. I am coming up on 90,000 on the dial but in reality it is 190,000 miles.

**newest2002tiiowner** · 08-08-2006, 02:25 AM

ya sorry about that. i edited it now that i looked in my handbook and it actually has 250,000 miles on the chassis and 162,000 on the engine. My dad got a 2002 about 20 years ago and has owned it ever since.

**RSF5** · 08-08-2006, 02:51 AM

man what an awesome project, those are such great looking cars, when I'm out of college I would like to restore a 2002 like that, it would be so much fun. edit: Oh I frogot

Post some pictures I want to see this thing

**Cellardoor** · 08-08-2006, 08:37 AM

awsome dude! grats on your new car, cant wait to see the progress on this thing. good luck with all of the restro work!

-Hutch-

**newest2002tiiowner** · 08-08-2006, 11:03 PM

ya sorry about pics. one of my coworkers cars is getting repaired and he is borrowing it until he gets it back. seeing as how he is the one who showed me the ad and is helping me tune it and such, i felt it would be nice if i let him borrow it. plus he can find new things that need to be fixed. i'll post pictures as soon as i can

**newest2002tiiowner** · 08-16-2006, 07:48 PM

got my pictures up.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/newest2002tiiowner/
check them out.

**xsperf** · 08-16-2006, 08:22 PM

hey man, i dont wanna catch u racing in that thing! oh btw, clutch and brake floor mounted FTW

**RSF5** · 08-16-2006, 08:33 PM

thats gonna be a good bit of work.

**RealBmw 02** · 08-16-2006, 11:12 PM

Thats not in too bad shape. Those rear strut tower would be my first project. That's probably the worst of what the pictures show. Your engine looks to be fairly clean. You should definitely get a better flowing air filter and electronic ignition is a really nice to have. I know all about the modifications you can make, so if you ever have some questions just shoot me a PM.

**xsperf** · 08-17-2006, 12:03 AM

did you restore ur car, RealBMW?

**RealBmw 02** · 08-17-2006, 02:28 PM

My car was in pretty good shape when I got it. I'm only the second owner so she was loved by the original owner all her life. The car hadn't been driven in 6 years so it took a little work to get that going, but all in all the car was in great shape. I had to change all the rubber lines like brakes, fuel, cooling... I have done some other minor work too. Next big step is replacing all the suspension bushings. I plan on tackling that before the summer is over.

Sorry...OT

**Dr1ve4fun** · 10-07-2006, 12:53 AM

Dam..that will be a nice car when it's all restored...I want to get one someday..But for now I will stick with my E30..

**newest2002tiiowner** · 10-07-2006, 04:45 PM

just got the rate my car profile set up. go check it out. hope to get a better picture soon.

**shasha** · 12-11-2006, 07:40 PM

Hey! so you got a bimmer! kudos!

Mine? all original '78 320 perfect! ....no leaks