First-time 2002 buyer; input appreciated!

[CDG]

Hi all -

 

I'm in the process of buying a 1975 2002 that is in amazing condition. All new interior, new chrome parts, new clutch, perfect paint, immaculate attention to detail on upkeep / restoration. 4 speed manual that drives quite well - very solid drive. Two owners - one most of the car's life (30 years or so) and one for last 10 years who put all finishing touches on and drove on weekends. Odometer is at 59k and assumption is that it has rolled over once. 

 

Seller is asking ~$20k, which seems like a steal to me given impeccable condition. Have never owned a BWM, so not as savvy as I'd like. Would love input as to whether that price sounds right to others and anything I should look to ask about in particular...?

 

Thanks!

[Mike G]

Pictures?

[Stevenc22]

Based on your description $20k is a very solid price. Just be aware there are con artists who put fresh paint on turds and sell them. Post some good picture especially in the trunk and engine bay and lets do a quick analysis. These cars are great and easy to take care of provided they dont have rust. Rust quickly turns a nice car into a project car.

 

Where are you located? Might be worth getting the car inspected.

[AustrianVespaGuy]

Just check for RUST! The common areas of concern are:

 

Floors

Rocker panels

Rear shock towers

Pedal box

Frame rails

Fenders

Doors

Spare tire well

 

If all of those areas are solid with no signs of current rust or previous rust repair work, then you'll have a good car.

[esty]

it's difficult/impossible to guess on condition or price unless you provide a lot of pictures of the complete car

[CDG]

Thanks for the input, everyone! Appreciate it. Some pics below. Am having them check for rust, among the other things mentioned here. Any other input would be so appreciated! 

.

 

 o

 

Edited May 29, 2018 by CDG

[joebarthlow]

From what I can see, it's looks nice.

 

Not sure who you're buying it from, but if it's a Portland car, you might consider a pre-purchase inspection. I would suggest Joseph at Munich Motor Works in SE or Peter's Hobby Shop in Wilsonville. They know 2002s quite well.

[02Les]

Apart from the interior colour, not sure what the current Seller has done to the car to warrant $20k.

Here's the pics from when it was for sale on Craigslist (Florence, OR) Sep 2017 by Owner of 18 years. He was asking $6500!!!!! It had 50k on a "brand new" replacement engine.

[CDG]

1 hour ago, joebarthlow said:

From what I can see, it's looks nice.

 

Not sure who you're buying it from, but if it's a Portland car, you might consider a pre-purchase inspection. I would suggest Joseph at Munich Motor Works in SE or Peter's Hobby Shop in Wilsonville. They know 2002s quite well.

Thanks, Joe! Appreciate it. Yes, it's a Portland car. I have someone checking it out at a more generic garage (Green Drop) that has super solid reviews, comes highly recommended by other auto repair shops in town that admitted to not having classic car experience, and apparently has experience with cars along these lines but does not specialize in BMWs as it sounds like Munich does. As I mentioned, I'm definitely new to the 2002 scene; would you definitely suggest taking it to Munich, even if I've had it checked out elsewhere? Again, thanks so much.

[CDG]

19 minutes ago, 02Les said:

Apart from the interior colour, not sure what the current Seller has done to the car to warrant $20k.

Here's the pics from when it was for sale on Craigslist (Florence, OR) Sep 2017 by Owner of 18 years. He was asking $6500!!!!! It had 50k on a "brand new" replacement engine.

Thanks a ton, Les. This is so useful to see. Do you have any other details on the post from that time? I really, really appreciate it.

[joebarthlow]

1 hour ago, CDG said:

Thanks, Joe! Appreciate it. Yes, it's a Portland car. I have someone checking it out at a more generic garage (Green Drop) that has super solid reviews, comes highly recommended by other auto repair shops in town that admitted to not having classic car experience, and apparently has experience with cars along these lines but does not specialize in BMWs as it sounds like Munich does. As I mentioned, I'm definitely new to the 2002 scene; would you definitely suggest taking it to Munich, even if I've had it checked out elsewhere? Again, thanks so much.

 

Very few generic shops work on older cars today (pre-1990). Most of the "BMW" repair shops in Eugene won't work on pre-'90 BMWs. Your mechanic should have an expert understanding of Weber or Solex carburetors, nuances the M10 motor and associated transmission and the a very good overall knowledge of the BMW suspension. While the 2002 is a simple BMW, compared to same year cars in the brand like Bavarias and CS, they do warrant a vintage BMW specialist for proper maintenance and pre-purchace inspection, especially if you're willing to spend $20K. What a PPI will do for you is give you a list of items that will need attention moving forward and potentially give you information to negotiate a final sales price, unless you have already agreed to a sales price. No restored car comes perfect. I would not take a chance with a non-BMW mechanic to provide me with that piece of mind. I speak from experience from being burned on buying cars without a PPI.

 

Munich Motorworks has worked on my BMWs and other friend's 2002. Joseph has a good reputation. Peter's Hobby Shop is also a solid older BMW repair/restoration shop. There are others in PDX as well.

 

CDG, I don't mean to scare you, at least you have someone to look at it at this point. good luck and report back your findings and whether you bought the car! Oh and welcome to the BMW 2002 FAQ forums. Do expect several different answers to questions ? 

Edited May 29, 2018 by joebarthlow

[Conserv]

Perhaps it is just the light and/or the camera, but the car looks solidly Sahara (beige) in 2017 and quite yellow in 2018. Sahara is not yellow; it is truly beige. How would you characterize the exterior color today?  Could it have been painted a non-2002 color over the last year?

 

BMW Archives will confirm the original color — and the manufacturing date — if you simply email the VIN to them, requesting their data on the car (info.grouparchiv@bmwgroup.com).

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited May 29, 2018 by Conserv

[joebarthlow]

3 hours ago, 02Les said:

Apart from the interior colour, not sure what the current Seller has done to the car to warrant $20k.

Here's the pics from when it was for sale on Craigslist (Florence, OR) Sep 2017 by Owner of 18 years. He was asking $6500!!!!! It had 50k on a "brand new" replacement engine.

 

 

I remember this listing. It came up right after I bought mine.  $20K seems high for a base model. If I was looking for a 2002 and had $20K to spend, I'd look a little harder for an older model with the correct details. Red interiors not being one. With that green house, I'd be concerned about it fading in a couple years. faded red interiors are not pretty.

Edited May 29, 2018 by joebarthlow

[joebarthlow]

9 minutes ago, Conserv said:

Perhaps it is just the light and/or the camera, but the car looks solidly Sahara (beige) in 2017 and quite yellow in 2018.

 

 

my thoughts too

[HBChris]

I would definitely let the seller know you saw the ad for last October and ask what has been done since then.  Seller is now a dealer?  Or same private party?