Faults:

Mine wasn't exactly a love at first sight; the previous owner didn't maintain the exterior or interior. But got it with a decent price at $4000 USD (considered a bargain in Bangkok), then spend $300 USD refurbished the roof linen, new cover for the old Recaro seats front and back, 2nd hand wooden steering wheel, replaced all light bulbs with lead type. Not to mention, wax and polished, and oil changes.

It drives like a little go-kart; fun and lots of charisma. However, I have heard a "hum" when accelerating in 4th. Suspect the differential problem, replaced oil, but noise remains... cross my fingers.

Not so sure how long I am keeping it... maybe a couple of years... but it is a fun car to drive.

Faults:

Nothing has "gone wrong".

I have chosen to perform maintenance as indicated, as well as to make a few upgrades of my choosing.

For example, I replaced the 32/36 Weber downdraft with twin Weber 40 DCOE sidedrafts. I mounted these using an intake manifold from a 2002 ti additional BMW parts. It also has an exhaust manifold from a twin-carb '02 ti. Momo Prototipo steering wheel with momo 152 hub (NLA).

General Comments:

Strictly by the numbers, this car isn't the fastest car on the road today. No matter, for the BMW 2002 remains one of the greatest sports sedans of all time. With twin sidedraft Webers, acceleration is instantaneous. On one hand, with properly tuned DCOEs, one can expect docile performance and good gas mileage when needed. On the other hand, one can expect fantastic throttle response, 4-wheel drifts, and poor gas mileage when wanted. The choice is yours...

Well sorted BMW 2002s are very reliable and very fun to drive. Parts are reasonable and readily available via the Internet and cost of maintenance is ridiculously cheap. Just start with the best foundation you can find and afford (e.g., low rust, good records, etc.). There are some great books and websites for zero-two owners out there. You are not alone...

Including what I originally paid for the car, I have only spent $9800 -- including all subsequent upgrades. At that price, no other driver on the planet is having as much fun behind the wheel as I am. The BMW 2002: One of the greatest cars ever at any price! Why suffer? Valhalla awaits!!!

Faults:

Rust!

Passenger side frame rail rusted through.

Floor pans rusted.

General Comments:

Always loved these cars. Picked this one up from the east coast (mistake). Mechanically excellent and reliable.

One day when jacking up car to mess with the shifter linkage, passenger side frame rail went through the floor.

Before this, I had a ball driving this car, and have recently picked up an earlier model rust free shell (71, roundie) and am in the process of transferring all the components from my 74 to the 71.

Faults:

Lots of stuff broke on this car... none of it _ever_ left me stranded. I was always able to limp home.

General Comments:

My 02 was the best car I ever had. My parents bought it new in 1972 and I started driving it while in highschool. The engine was rebuilt at around 100,000 miles and I put another 150,000 miles on it. It was an old car, so things broke. But I have never loved a machine except for my 02. Keeping it going was like keeping a member of the family alive. I'm looking for a new one now.