Should I Purchase this 2002?

[Jbaumshelter]

This looks all to familiar to me. I bought a 2002 back in September in almost this same price range. It was out of state so I paid a company $250 to go do an inspection for me. I should have spent about 20 hours on this forum instead. The biggest mistake I made was that I didn't have an exact plan for what I wanted to do with my car. I got the car and fixed the things that were never mentioned to me by the inspection company. I found a rust hole under the back seat the size of a softball. The paint job was ok, but not to my standards. The car had some things that I wanted: Power steering (works but not really needed), Air conditioning, Power door locks, decent interior but not original. Once I got my car, things changed rapidly, I wanted a 5 speed, I wanted more power, the list never seems to never end to this day. 

My point is...I knew I wanted a 2002 but I would have served myself and my wallet much better by buying a car that was less expensive and doing the things I wanted myself. I could have a great paint job instead of fixing one. From the pictures of this car, IMO you are buying a project. It appears to be a "lipstick on a pig" restoration. Maybe I'm wrong..I don't like to judge other peoples work to harshly.  Take some time and find the "right" car for you. Look thru the "cars for sale" section on this forum. There are some dam good/smart people on this forum that can and will help you.

I really love my car and wouldn't part with it now. I just could have been much wiser when I first started seriously looking. I wish you the best of luck finding your new ride. These cars are awesome!

[TobyB]

Quote

These cars continue to rise in value and will make anyone a great investment.

 

If you're looking for an investment, I hear real estate is doing well right now.

 

15k?  Seems high

 

Quote

Grand Rapids MI

 

There's salt in them thar hills!
 

 

And there's no lid on the washer bottle.  Nor hose on the cam cover vent...

 

That's a flipper, that one is.  All the specialist parts haven't been specialized.

 

t

[Teelinger]

Keep looking:

Makemodelsearch.com

 

[chargin]

3 hours ago, wegweiser said:

**EDIT** - I just cruised through the photos again... that car is a complete rolling nightmare. The paint quality and overspray on **everything** is just a clue, as to the care and attention given to the entire thing, as they readied it for sale. Run like hell from cars (and sellers) like this. 

Edited 2 hours ago by wegweiser

 

YEP

['76mintgrün'02]

 

Very true, Andrew.  The photos are revealing, as long as you know what to look for.  It only takes one buyer who doesn't know any better though...  SHINY PAINT AND ALLOY RIMS!!

 

The missing trunk seal and all the engine bay hood seals will make this a stinky car to drive.  Probably even unsafe, due to exhaust being sucked into the cabin. 

 

Missing front and rear anti-sway bars will make it less fun to drive.

 

okay, I found my nit-pick basket... time to fill it up.

 

the wiper arms are on the wrong sides... and that is a flag mirror on a '73 

that sure looks like a plastic dash cover.  missing center console, missing antennae, missing rain gutter trim, missing rocker trim, missing trim piece under rear pop out windows, missing door handle plastic inserts, missing chrome ends on the doors' grab handles, missing trunk floor boards, stock air cleaner is missing passenger side bracket and  not using driver's side bracket, due to missing rubber mounts, the air filter is missing the snorkel, missing corner lenses in the grilles, missing slats in the crooked center grille, missing front bumper rubber strips, missing shutz on the lower nose, where the holes have probably been filled with bOndO, driver's door seal falling off at the bottom of the B-pillar, the rubber in the strut mounts are cracking, stubby fuel pump resting on the coolant hose... personal pet peeve right there.

 

I wonder if the driver's side window rolls up?

 

Put that on the window sticker.

[joebarthlow]

That car has a lot of issues:

• neither front or rear bumper fit well (front isn't correct)

• color seems off

• wheels not finished painted

• trim missing

• mixed up interior (3 different schemes)

• engine bay painted black, air cleaner housing wrong color

• trunk painted black (a clue they are hiding some rust issues)

 

just too many details seem off to justify the price. it's pretty obvious who ever made the restoration decisions did not have a clue of what they were doing. I would be concerned about what's under the paint. this is a bad example. run away.

Edited January 23, 2018 by joebarthlow

[repoman]

Just for comparison....not mine....$9000

 

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/1973-bmw-2002-e10/6469206505.html

 

Mechanically sorted out. Everything works.  New Bilsteins all around struts and shocks, new valve cover gaskets, distributor, rotor caps, starter, drive shaft. Rock solid original motor. No leaks because all new seals.

$3000 upholstery including seats, headrests, door panels front and rear carpet, rear package tray and seat frames. Rebuilt weber carb and shift linkage, new factory center console, dash cap, shifter.  New Bluetooth stereo and speakers.  Comes with receipts for all.  Almost new Hancooks on Bottlecap (Or the original 13's as pictured)wheels. ALL wiring, lights, etc. function as new.

 

It's had a repaint in the past.
All that's left is surface rust behind factory sunroof, and a few small areas. Rusted right rocker panel....comes with new fitted new rocker and all new seals and parts needs to bring your exterior repaint and repair to match the running gear.  I picked this 83,000, always garaged roundie because all the usual rust wasn't there.  Shock towers, pans, floors and subframe solid. Small dent between nose and grill.  Body shop says existing parts easily repairable.  I have a nice extra grill to throw in anyway!

[ray_]

7 minutes ago, repoman said:

Just for comparison....not mine....$9000

 

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/1973-bmw-2002-e10/6469206505.html

 

Mechanically sorted out. Everything works.  New Bilsteins all around struts and shocks, new valve cover gaskets, distributor, rotor caps, starter, drive shaft. Rock solid original motor. No leaks because all new seals.

$3000 upholstery including seats, headrests, door panels front and rear carpet, rear package tray and seat frames. Rebuilt weber carb and shift linkage, new factory center console, dash cap, shifter.  New Bluetooth stereo and speakers.  Comes with receipts for all.  Almost new Hancooks on Bottlecap (Or the original 13's as pictured)wheels. ALL wiring, lights, etc. function as new.

 

It's had a repaint in the past.
All that's left is surface rust behind factory sunroof, and a few small areas. Rusted right rocker panel....comes with new fitted new rocker and all new seals and parts needs to bring your exterior repaint and repair to match the running gear.  I picked this 83,000, always garaged roundie because all the usual rust wasn't there.  Shock towers, pans, floors and subframe solid. Small dent between nose and grill.  Body shop says existing parts easily repairable.  I have a nice extra grill to throw in anyway!

 

 

That looks like a steal in today's market!

 

 

[Teelinger]

1 minute ago, ray_ said:

That looks like a steal in today's market!

 

 

+1

[joysterm]

I don't think this car will "show"  the same way at 5' as it does at 50'

As mentioned in a earlier post by joebarthow, just too many red flags for me.  Save your self the heartbreak, move on 

Edited January 23, 2018 by joysterm

[chargin]

59 minutes ago, Teelinger said:

1 hour ago, ray_ said:

That looks like a steal in today's market!

 

 

+1

 

+2

 

 

[02Les]

3 hours ago, ray_ said:

 

 

That looks like a steal in today's market!

 

 

Was on Ebay in December in Portland, OR. Don't know if the Seller moved to CA with his car, or it was snagged by a Flipper. Had a rust issue or two.

[jp5Touring]

eBay Dec.17th says $6500. Reserve not met.

[Jim_75Sahara]

It sets off about 50 alarm bells. Not at all the honest, well-loved 2002 that you should actually be serious about.

[Mike Self]

As long as we're picking nits...those red center tail lights were used on US only cars through the '69 model year, then switched to amber.  And they're hard to find, too.  Wonder how they migrated to a '73...

 

mike