1973 BMW 2002tii

Description

After 16 years I am selling my tii; I've realized I no longer look forward to working on it and it is time for it to be loved by someone else again. It is NOT a numbers-matching, concours quality car. I painted it in my garage about 10 years ago. From 10 feet away it looks pretty good; up close there are *lots* of flaws.

It has a factory rebuilt euro spec (9.5:1) tii engine (2004, 30k miles ago), rebuilt Kugelfischer pump and new-old-stock injectors. The 4-speed transmission was replaced 10-12 years ago with what appeared and felt to be a newly rebuilt unit that I scored off eBay for around $120 (somebody lost their shirt on that one). I installed a new OE driveshaft in 2006. The car has an electric fan on a late E21 (plastic) radiator controlled by a temperature sensor, plus an override switch using the dummy switch on the console (never needed the override, but it is there).

As I said, I repainted the body myself around 10 years ago. The nose, hood, rear panel and driver's side door were replaced with new OE parts at that time. The underside of the trunk lid is the only part of the car with original paint. Panel gaps are not very good between the doors and fenders. The belt line trim was new in the early 2000's, but has suffered from a lot of dings since then. There is no body rust; the pedal box has some surface rust starting. I just installed a new OE windshield.

At the time I restored the car, I replaced the front and rear wiring harnesses with NOS parts. One or both of the harnesses (can't remember which) is euro-spec so the emergency brake light on the dash is a low fuel level warning instead. The fuel pump and sender is an in-tank E30 unit instead of the stock tii pump. The battery is in the trunk; up front there is a power distribution box that handles power for the add-ons (headlight relays, electric fan).

Suspension is Ireland Stage 1 springs and Bilstein HD struts/shocks. Sway bars are the ST 22/19 kit from Blunt. All bushings were replaced at various points during my ownership. Brakes are stock and have all been touched at some point in my ownership including new metal lines. There are center caps plus spares for the BWA wheels in a couple different styles (but 4 of each). The spare wheel has not been refinished.

The interior has a one piece European dash that unfortunately started cracking around the binnacle right after I put it in (sigh...). I installed a GAHH carpet kit two years ago and recovered the front Recaros in black vinyl. The seats are very comfortable and supportive. The headliner fits nicely at the front but it is not right at the rear. No sunroof.

Cibie headlights with city lights (and relays for the headlights); Euro turn signals. Rear light assemblies were new units about 12-13 years ago. It has LED bulbs for the brake lights and a third brake light to provide some visibility from behind.

What needs to be done:
- The oil pan leaks enough to be annoying. After the 1,200 mile trip to the Vintage this year I needed to add almost 1/2 quart of oil. I keep cardboard under the car when it is parked.
- The doors and windows need to be adjusted. I installed new OE seals a year or so ago and the fit is off.
- Exhaust leak where muffler connects to the resonator. I replaced the resonator over the winter and removing the old one expanded the fitting on the muffler making for a poor seal. (Note: I may have fixed this because I no longer get exhaust fumes in the cabin since adjusting the exhaust a couple weeks ago, but I haven't driven it enough to be certain.)
- Tune the engine. I think the combination of 9.5:1 pistons with a US-spec pump leads to some problems with leanness. It will ping at WOT. I was thinking about a 123Ignition distributor to allow for finer timing control, but I never got that far. I do have a wideband O2 sensor installed (digital readout is hidden in the ashtray) so you can see the mixture in real time at least.
- The tires are from 2008. Sooner or later they'll have to be replaced and there isn't anything good left in 13" tires.

Spares:
Ignition components, injectors (4), injector lines, Kugelfischer pump (more of a rebuildable core than anything you'd want to use directly), E30 in-tank fuel pump, guibo, belts, rear trunk seal, brake rotors, ...and whatever else I find stashed away in the house.

Fine print:

I'll be happy to answer any questions or supply more pictures. If you'd like to inspect the car, please arrange with me to do so before the auction closes. Shipping is the buyer's responsibility, but I can meet a shipper at my house for loading the car. Deposit of $500 via PayPal due within 24 hours of auction close. Full payment by bank check will need to clear before the car is picked up.