Vintage 2002 reviews

[duder13]

Hi. I ran across a couple of fun old 2002 reviews, and, being that the 2002 is supposed to be the inspiration for our cars, I really enjoyed gleaning some similarities from these reviews and our "Whispering Bombs." Enjoy:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...mw-2002-review

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...ad-test-review

[MrKevinRosales]

A couple years ago an old co-worker of mine offered to sell me his 1972 Malaga red 2002 for $5,000, which I would later learn was a steal, however I was unsure about the purchase since I didn't have the space to keep it and at the time I was looking for a winter car and this did not fit that description.

It was some time before I was able to make it out to his place for a test drive, and by the time I got to it, it had already been called for, still he let me drive it around for a while. Part of me is glad it happened this way, had it not I would have probably made my second impulse car buy. (the first being my current 135i)

It was an absolute blast to drive, I did not image that a 43 year old car would have so much to give. It wasn't fast by today's standards, but the pure mechanical characteristics of it all kept a smile on my face the entire time. The 4 speed gear box shifted really well, I had been a bit worried going into it but surprised to learn that it had synchro mesh gears.

Visually it showed signs of its age, the paint was in good condition though, and the color suited it very well. I often image that if I were to change the color of my my car it would be to that same color. The interior is where the age really showed, but is where the least if my attention went. My coworker had taken the time to do an m-50 swap and fitted it with MSD electronic injection which really brought life to it.

I did not read the above reviews as I really should be getting ready for work as I write tbis, but can only assume they speak of a similar experience to the one I had. If you guys ever get a chance to drive one, I would highly recommend it.

Here are a couple pictures I took of it that day

2002 Malaga Red

View post on imgur.com

[Tuxedo]

great links and some of the insults I got and some I didn't. Growing up in western Ohio and eastern Indiana the current affectionately referred to "rust belt" it was an abomination to have anything but a American made car. This kind of article would have fallen on deaf ears from adults and torn families apart if purchased by youth inspired. The parts supply chain was dismal as well and if you could find someone to work on it and could wait 6weeks for the slow boat from zMotherland to bring zpart, good for you patience is a virtue.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by Tuxedo

great links and some of the insults I got and some I didn't. Growing up in western Ohio and eastern Indiana the current affectionately referred to "rust belt" it was an abomination to have anything but a American made car. This kind of article would have fallen on deaf ears from adults and torn families apart if purchased by youth inspired. The parts supply chain was dismal as well and if you could find someone to work on it and could wait 6weeks for the slow boat from zMotherland to bring zpart, good for you patience is a virtue.

I hear you! I grew up in Anderson, IN. Even Hondas were unusual.

[tock172]

I consider the David E. Davis 2002 review to be mandatory reading for any BMW enthusiast, regardless of what platform or era one happens to prefer. It perfectly sums up what makes these cars special.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by tock172

I consider the David E. Davis 2002 review to be mandatory reading for any BMW enthusiast, regardless of what platform or era one happens to prefer. It perfectly sums up what makes these cars special.

Yeah, what a fantastic writer. I have to admit that, being primarily a Porsche enthusiast, the review spoke to me, because the 135i is the first BMW I've been interested in since the 2002 (outside of some older M3s,) and, like the 2002, the 135i is an ugly-to-some, practical little monster that kept up with the Porsche 911 on the street. This review transposes near perfectly to my feelings about the 1er.

[02Pilot]

As an owner of both a 2002 and a 128i, I can confirm that there are a lot of conceptual similarities. Both cars are understated and very practical, while also offering significant performance if driven in a certain manner. The biggest factor in favor of the 2002 is that you can drive much closer to its limits on the street without risking incarceration. Mine has a lot of suspension upgrades (from my autox days), but I'm seriously considering going from the 15" wheels with sticky rubber back to the stock 13" alloys with something nice and skinny (OE was 165HR13) so I can have more fun with it. Of course, the limits on the E82 are so high that there's not much chance of safely approaching them no matter what you do on a public road, but that doesn't mean it isn't a fun car to drive.

[champignon]

My first car was a 1973 2002 in puke yellow, bought new (I had been promised an orange one by the dealership, but they lied to me and sold it to someone else. I got the yellow one and had no choice as time was tight). I owned the car for 8 years.

I don't see much similarity with the 1-Series other than that both were driver's cars. The 2002 was an extremely basic vehicle, crank windows, crank sunroof, no radio, and no A/C. By modern standards, there was essentially no comfort in this car. It was fun to drive and had adequate power, for its day.

I guess the similarity is that the 1-Series was the last "analog" car series that BMW built. But there are many earlier BMWs, like much more ancient 3-Series cars, that had way more similarity to the 2002 than a 1-Series, any 1-Series, car.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by champignon

My first car was a 1973 2002 in puke yellow, bought new (I had been promised an orange one by the dealership, but they lied to me and sold it to someone else. I got the yellow one and had no choice as time was tight). I owned the car for 8 years.

I don't see much similarity with the 1-Series other than that both were driver's cars. The 2002 was an extremely basic vehicle, crank windows, crank sunroof, no radio, and no A/C. By modern standards, there was essentially no comfort in this car. It was fun to drive and had adequate power, for its day.

I guess the similarity is that the 1-Series was the last "analog" car series that BMW built. But there are many earlier BMWs, like much more ancient 3-Series cars, that had way more similarity to the 2002 than a 1-Series, any 1-Series, car.

I think the similarity is in how they compare to other cars from their era. Sure, being 40 years older, the 2002 is certainly more basic than the 1er, but the 1er is relatively fast, small, simple, practical and unique looking compared to its competition, and it seems like a fair, modern interpretation of the old 2002. I'm not sure the current 911 is any more similar to a 911 from the '60s.

[02Pilot]

Originally Posted by champignon

I don't see much similarity with the 1-Series other than that both were driver's cars. The 2002 was an extremely basic vehicle, crank windows, crank sunroof, no radio, and no A/C. By modern standards, there was essentially no comfort in this car. It was fun to drive and had adequate power, for its day.

I guess the similarity is that the 1-Series was the last "analog" car series that BMW built. But there are many earlier BMWs, like much more ancient 3-Series cars, that had way more similarity to the 2002 than a 1-Series, any 1-Series, car.

Consider the cars within their respective historical contexts. Both the 2002 and the E82 were small cars with relatively advanced designs, but without being overloaded with things unnecessary for spirited driving. The 2002 had an advanced suspension design, a high-revving motor with better specific output than most cars available at the time, and an overall design that was oriented on the driver; it did not have many of the heavy comfort options that were often seen in American cars of the day.

Applying modern standards is not going to allow for meaningful comparison.

[DanZ3]

I have a 74 Tii and a 13 128i. Like someone said conceptually similar cars but very different. I tell people that I have the grandfather of the M3.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by DanZ3

I have a 74 Tii and a 13 128i. Like someone said conceptually similar cars but very different. I tell people that I have the grandfather of the M3.

Yeah, the problem is that the 3 series stopped being the 3 series, so we got the 1 series. I'd say you also have the grandfather of the 1M.

[Lester]

I had the good fortune to be at the BMW Museum in Munich a couple of weeks ago, and they had this beautiful 2002 ti on display: