1976 BMW 2002

Description

It's hard to over-state just how important the BMW 2002 was to both the company that created it and the current state of the automotive industry. Fun to drive small cars were nothing new, but cars like this 1976 BMW 2002 proved that practical cars could also be a hoot. Forget two-seat roadsters with leaky tops, THIS is how you have your cake and eat it, too.

Right now, the BMW 2002 is a popular "buy and hold" recommendation. And for good reason, because finding a 2002 that hasn't A) been beaten to death, or B) rusted from the inside out, or C) modified beyond recognition is getting tough these days. Fortunately, this one sticks to the factory recipe and has enjoyed the ministrations of an owner who understood that excessive modifications don't necessarily make a better 2002. It has been repainted in basic black, which looks fantastic, and you can see how well it fits together, how the doors close with typical Teutonic precision, and that the paint still shines up quite well. No, the shape won't win any beauty contests, but if you're a car guy in the know, you'll recognize it from a mile away and have a little smile, knowing that the person behind the wheel is probably laughing like a lunatic as he bends the little sedan into the next corner. Don't let its looks fool you, this little Bimmer has the heart of a sports car.

The BMW was an expensive car when it was new, and it carries a very German sense of luxury and style inside. Of course, like many European cars of the era, it's definitely no-nonsense, with firm, supportive bucket seats and a clear, easy-to-read instrument panel that tells you everything you need to know. The seats are freshly upholstered in lovely tan vinyl that looks luxurious, the carpets remain in excellent shape thanks to a set of matching floor mats, and the door panels are new as well. Some faux woodgrained material on the instrument panel warms things up, but you can tell they only threw that in for us Yanks, but the big, clear gauges are easy to read and definitely fit with the 2002's no-nonsense personality. It's easy to get comfortable inside and from the commanding driving position, you'll be able to clip apexes more precisely than Kim Kardashian's plastic surgeon. It also includes a JVC AM/FM/CD stereo head unit that's a nice upgrade as well as a nice, big, usable trunk that carries a proper carpet mat.

With 1990 cc displacement, the gutsy four-cylinder engine over-achieves and delivers a ripping exhaust note that you'll have to hear to understand. The spotless engine bay is neatly detailed and the engine was rebuilt about 8000 miles ago, so it's ready to rock. There's a rebuilt carburetor, new alternator, and with a recent tune-up (including belts and hoses) it's mechanically excellent. Note that the block itself is canted at 30 degrees to allow for the low hood line and center of gravity, and it exhales through a great-sounding exhaust system with trademark center tailpipes. The 4-speed manual gearbox is a joy to run through the gears as the engine screams towards redline, and the car's fully independent suspension is both secure and smooth-riding, which is part of this car's magic. And thanks to recent service work, braking is plenty powerful given the car's welterweight class. Brand new Konig wheels look a lot like vintage Minilites and carry fat 195/50/15 Michelin radials.

There's a reason these cars are legendary, and super-clean original examples like this are eagerly snapped up by knowledgeable enthusiasts. Don't wait, because this one just won't last. Call today!