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So about a month ago I found myself searching craigslist to kill some time. Bad idea. Especially when you have a completely torn apart E21 with quiet a bit of money invested into parts that are just sitting around waiting to be installed. Its also a really bad idea when your wallet is screaming at you no more cars no more cars..but then you go and buy another car 
But when you find a 1973 BMW 2002 (roundie) in what appears to be fair shape, runs/drives, clean title and local..you tell your wallet to shut up and you go and buy the 2002. So that's exactly what I did.
Sahara/Tobacco 1973 BMW 2002 waiting for me at the sellers house
The car is completely covered in dirt and even has some moss growing on the back from sitting the last few years. The guy I bought it from had just bought it from an older guy he knew and basically just wanted to flip it since he got it from the old guy for cheap. So I get to pay a premium, but the seller was really cool and he even threw in some extras to help me give this neglected base model 2002 another life.
Fast forward about 2 weeks and I attempt to drive this 43 year old car that has been sitting for the last 4 years or so. Thankfully my drive is only about 45 minutes but its still a little sketchy being 11 o clock at night on unfamiliar roads with the license plate in the rear window and the brake lights and turn signals not working. But I will have my buddy follow me home so it settles my nerves a bit. Before I get to far into my journey, I need to fill her up with some gas. That is when the first problem arises and I fear we are in for a late night. A few gallons in to filling up the tank and fuel starts pouring out the underside of the car. Fantastic
It looks like there is a small split in the seam of the 2 piece fuel tank. The owner said to call him if I had any trouble getting home so I did just that. I mentioned the leak and he sounded surprised but said no problem, I got a spare tank you can have. So he drove to the gas station and gave me a spare fuel tank and reassured me I would have enough fuel to get home and shouldn't have any other problems. I was a bit skeptical but still determined to drive home and frankly I didn't really have any other options so off I go again.
And now I see what all the hype is about this cars. The rest of the drive home was so much fun. The car handles so well and the steering is so precise. Its like nothing I have ever driven before. Just a pure driving machine built by one of the best
Because I drove the 2002 home on a Tuesday nothing would really happen until the weekend when I had some free time. I was so eager to get started cleaning inside and out and diagnosing some of the issues. But first, some pictures;
The car came with some old mesh style wheels
They looked to me like original Enkei92's and a bit of investigating proved that to be true.
Measured specs at 13x6 with what looks like maybe +15 offset? Nonetheless I am excited to get these cleaned up with some new rubber on em to replace the current american racing wheels the car sits on now.
Spare fuel tank the seller gave me
Still has a spare and the jack which is pretty neat.
I inspected the replacement tank and it appears to be in great shape. But the original tank has what I guess is maybe a breather line that this tank does not? I am not sure but I hope I can still use this replacement tank.
Cleaning pictures coming soon, stay tuned!
But when you find a 1973 BMW 2002 (roundie) in what appears to be fair shape, runs/drives, clean title and local..you tell your wallet to shut up and you go and buy the 2002. So that's exactly what I did.
Sahara/Tobacco 1973 BMW 2002 waiting for me at the sellers house
The car is completely covered in dirt and even has some moss growing on the back from sitting the last few years. The guy I bought it from had just bought it from an older guy he knew and basically just wanted to flip it since he got it from the old guy for cheap. So I get to pay a premium, but the seller was really cool and he even threw in some extras to help me give this neglected base model 2002 another life.
Fast forward about 2 weeks and I attempt to drive this 43 year old car that has been sitting for the last 4 years or so. Thankfully my drive is only about 45 minutes but its still a little sketchy being 11 o clock at night on unfamiliar roads with the license plate in the rear window and the brake lights and turn signals not working. But I will have my buddy follow me home so it settles my nerves a bit. Before I get to far into my journey, I need to fill her up with some gas. That is when the first problem arises and I fear we are in for a late night. A few gallons in to filling up the tank and fuel starts pouring out the underside of the car. Fantastic
It looks like there is a small split in the seam of the 2 piece fuel tank. The owner said to call him if I had any trouble getting home so I did just that. I mentioned the leak and he sounded surprised but said no problem, I got a spare tank you can have. So he drove to the gas station and gave me a spare fuel tank and reassured me I would have enough fuel to get home and shouldn't have any other problems. I was a bit skeptical but still determined to drive home and frankly I didn't really have any other options so off I go again. And now I see what all the hype is about this cars. The rest of the drive home was so much fun. The car handles so well and the steering is so precise. Its like nothing I have ever driven before. Just a pure driving machine built by one of the best
Because I drove the 2002 home on a Tuesday nothing would really happen until the weekend when I had some free time. I was so eager to get started cleaning inside and out and diagnosing some of the issues. But first, some pictures;
The car came with some old mesh style wheels
They looked to me like original Enkei92's and a bit of investigating proved that to be true.
Measured specs at 13x6 with what looks like maybe +15 offset? Nonetheless I am excited to get these cleaned up with some new rubber on em to replace the current american racing wheels the car sits on now.
Spare fuel tank the seller gave me
Still has a spare and the jack which is pretty neat.
I inspected the replacement tank and it appears to be in great shape. But the original tank has what I guess is maybe a breather line that this tank does not? I am not sure but I hope I can still use this replacement tank.
Cleaning pictures coming soon, stay tuned!
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