5k: I Feel Smoggy: 1976 BMW 2002
The used BMW 2002 market in California has a unique “dip” in prices just after 1975, nothing to do with quality of the vehicles, hugeness of the bumpers or smog based reduction in power. Simply put, it is because the cheaper 1976 models need to be put through the ignominy of a bi-annual smog inspection that includes hooking up the old lady to a rolling chassis dynamometer, sticking some probes up the tailpipe for a sniff and visually checking for all smog equipment in place. The truth is that most of the pricier pre-75 2002s would pass the sniffer/visual tests without problem, but simply the stress associated with uncertainty of having to throw thousands of dollars at a catalyst or trying to find some obsolete hose clamp for your intake pre-heater removes many buyers from the pool. If you own your own smog station or are planning to export one to a free country, picking up to a post 75 new class will save you thousands. Find this 1976 BMW 2002 for sale in Berkeley, CA for $5995 via craigslist. Tip from Kaibeezy.
BMW produced over 850,000 New Class 2-door sedans in 2002 form between 1968 and 1976. The 2002 will always be remembered for its sporting abilities in a useful package, sort of a newer version of the Mini, but rear-wheel drive and German.
This 2002 is powered by a 2.0 liter M05 inline-4 that puts out 100 horsepower into a 4-speed manual transmission. A peek under the sheepskin covers reveals a fairly well preserved set of seats and the seller states that the interior is in “excellent condition.”
The seller mentions that this car has recently had a fresh coat of blue paint and if that is overspray on the tires you should expect overspray elsewhere…maybe everywhere. New paint is usually a warning sign for buying a used car, but find out where the car was painted, check their references and do a careful inspection of the paint. The worst that can happen is you need to repaint the car in 6 months when the paint finishes curing.
See a better classy New Class? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com
Lots of 2002's flooding the market lately!
So the seller cant find paint thinner or whatever to remove the overspray? Hmmm….
These never came with 5 speed trannies. Actually, the new paint often signifies quick patch rust repairs. So, the worst thing that could happen is a glop of dried body filler coming off the car when you hit a bump )))