Price: $34,800
Mileage: 45,000 Miles (TMU)
Engine: M10 Fuel-Injected 4-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 4-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Malaga Exterior
Interior: Beige Interior
VIN: 2376243
Additional features:
Numbers Matching Engine
Molded Dash Cover
Momo Prototipo Steering Wheel
E30 Recaro Sport Seats
Stereo
Sunroof
Hella Fog Lights
22mm Front Sway Bar
Bilstein Shocks
Stainless Steel Exhaust
14-Inch Panasport Wheels
Extensive Early Documentation from 1974-1990
Colorado Car
The BMW 02 Series sedans were defining models for BMW. Smaller and lighter than the Neue Klasse sedans from which they were derived, the 02 set the stage for the stalwart BMW 3 Series. It was the lens through which a generation of Americans discovered BMW and passed down that enthusiasm to their children. The best of the 02 Series was the 2002, powered by the 2-liter version of the 4-cylinder M10 engine, and the best of the 2002s was the tii—Touring Injected International. At its release in 1972, Car and Driver called it “…the essence of motoring truth; no strobe stripes, no phony teardrop racing mirrors, no triple turret taillights. Just finely honed machinery in the simplest steel and glass case.” Forty years later, those words have only become more relevant as BMW has shifted from a driver’s brand to a technology brand. The 2002tii improved upon the regular 2002 with upgraded suspension, brakes, and different gearing, but at its heart was a hot 130-horsepower fuel-injected version of the M10 engine. It was capable of 55 mph in second gear and a top speed of 115 mph—all in a simple, comfortable, innocuous two-door sedan that you could drive your mother to church in.
This 1974 Malaga over Beige 2002tii is a great survivor, driver-quality numbers-matching example. It is a blank canvas that benefits from lots of early documentation in its life and lots of recent maintenance and repairs. It could be used and enjoyed as it is or an excellent candidate to be brought to the next level. Malaga is an iconic 2002 color that looks great on the 2002tii. Upgrades include a Momo Prototipo steering wheel, E30 Recaro sport seats, Bilstein shocks, a 22mm front sway bar, stainless steel exhaust, and Panasport wheels. It was originally sold by Don Rasmussen BMW in Portland, Oregon, in 1974 and is documented through 1990 under the original owner. The original bill of sale shows a price of $6160, that’s $39,031 in 2024 money—not a bad deal by BMW standards!
It later found its way to Colorado and came to us on trade for an E36 M3. Recent notable maintenance includes the clutch, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel sending unit, spark plugs and ignition wires, speedometer cable, driveshaft center bearing, front control arms, and the stainless steel exhaust. The interior has also been treated to a replacement carpet set, headliner, front and rear window seals, and the Momo Prototipo steering wheel. The dashboard is covered by a fitted cover that takes scrutiny to recognize it is a cover, and the E30 Recaro seats are a great upgrade to the original seats (these are not available). It has been repainted in its original color. As a West Coast/Colorado 2002, it has no notable corrosion. Our strategy with this car was to keep it in its current condition, keep the price reasonable, and allow the next owner to move in the direction of their choosing. We can assist in further improvements as they see fit. As it sits, this is a great example of a 2002tii that could be used and enjoyed as is or taken to the next level.
The Malaga paint is in good condition, which is indicative of an older restoration. It presents nicely and gets compliments on nearly every drive. Flaws consist of moderate swirling, paint chips, and areas of older paint near the glass rubber. A conservative paint correction would improve this vastly; we did not do this to show how nice the car is in “raw” condition. The paint gauges in the 15-20mil range, with a few deeper areas. The body and chassis are largely rust-free, with troublesome areas like the lower rockers, body pans, and spare tire well presenting nicely. All trim is present and accounted for, with a lovely patina; the driver’s door trim has several broken clips, which we secured. The windshield, rubber moldings, and door seals are in good shape and not separating. The windshield is crack-free and only slightly pitted. The other glass around the car is in very nice shape, with no deep scratches or notable pitting and it is all tinted. The windshield wiper arms and inserts are in good condition; the speed fairing on the driver’s side wiper is present. The Hella H4 are excellent, with no cracks or pitting. The turn signals have typical spider cracks, the right taillight also has a crack, and the rear marker lenses are faded. The 14-inch Panasport wheels have patina, but are free of curb-rahs. They are wearing Douglas all-season tires with good tread remaining, and 2019 DOT dates.
The beige interior is in good shape. Open the door and you are greeted with that lovely 2002 smell. The carpet and headliner were recently replaced at an earlier time. The latter has some discoloration in the sunroof panel. The sunroof works, but we recommend not using it as they are typically temperamental. There is slight shrinkage at the A-pillars and C-pillar, but it is negligible. The sun visors are puffy. The door cards are in fair condition, with the lower edges separating, the worst on the driver’s side. A fitted cover covers the dashboard. We aren’t typically fans of these, but this is one of the nicest installations we’ve seen, taking some scrutiny to realize it’s a cover. The 3-spoke mom steering wheel is in excellent condition; the horn is INOP. The cluster gauges function correctly; the tii clock is INOP. The later model 2002s with the left side turn signal stalk are very user-friendly; the stalk needs to be rebuilt (we may address this before sale). The wipers, wiper speed, and turn signals work correctly. The windshield washer system and heater blower are INOP. The shift knob is clean, with only minor wear. The stereo operates correctly. The E30 Recaro seats are a nice addition; they have matching perforated centers. The removable trunk panels are in excellent shape. Underneath the spare tire and jack are present, along with a tool kit. One set of keys is included with the sale, along with a handful of spare parts.
The M10 engine fires on command on cold and hot starts, but it does take a little throttle before the idle sets in. Once it does, it idles smoothly and pulls very strongly (once it’s warmed up, of course). The underside is largely dry, with only minor leaks and seeps. The transmission shifts smoothly, and the shifter bushings are crisp and tight. The clutch take-up is smooth, and it does not slip. The steering is tight, without the dead spot on-center or excessive play. The Bilstein suspension is an excellent improvement, flattening cornering without compromising the original ride quality. The brakes are strong, with plenty of pad thickness and rotor run-out remaining. The rear diff is intermittently noisy and should be addressed in the not-so-distant future; we can help with this if desired.
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