1976 BMW 2002

For sale is my 1976 BMW 2002 in Chamonix white.   VIN 2371044.   The car was manufactured on September 16. 1975. and delivered on September 29. 1975 to importer BMW of North America. in Montvale. New Jersey.   First retail sale date was December 23. 1975. in Houston. TX (someone got a nice Christmas present).   It made its way to Seattle many years ago.   I believe I am the third owner.   I bought it from a woman in my neighborhood. who had owned it for many years.   It was her baby (that's actually what she named the car).   I have named the car Blanche (French for white. given that the color ‘Chamonix' is French not German).

I have service records for the car. for a period of time in about the late 1980's to 1990's.   The records are super detailed (there is a journal with pencil entries).   I have receipts for most of the work described below.

The car is in outstanding mechanical condition.   The interior is beautiful.   The car does not rattle. does not smoke. and does not smell like gas.   In doing all the work on the car. my intent was to make it a really. really nice car.   And. to keep it for many years.   However. I am almost 60 now and life circumstances have changed and I must sell it.  

I apologize for the length of the following description of the work I have done to this car. but I thought it was important to let a new owner of the car know about the blood. sweat. tears. and money that went into the making of the car as it now sits. and the pride of ownership I have with Blanche.   Also. I am a factory-trained Porsche mechanic. and worked at a dealership in Los Angeles in the late 1970's.   It was then. in 1979. that I bought my first BMW 2002 (actually a '71 1600. “Binkley”).   The first weekend I owned the 1600. I put in a new clutch and did a major service.   I am intimately familiar with these cars--Blanche is now the 5th one that I have owned.   I am a member of the BMWCCA. Pacific NW region. and coordinate the 2002 special interest group for the greater Seattle area.

So. here goes:

Lighting:  The headlights are Cibie H4 halogen lamps.   The fog lights are vintage NOS Hella 160 chrome-backed lamps (with plastic covers).   They are properly wired with a relay.

The front turn signals/running lights. and rear side running lights. are new.   The rear tail lights are new assemblies (lenses. reflectors. gaskets).   There is a Hella Model 38 LED 3rd brake light inconspicuously mounted in the rear window.   The license plate lamps are new assemblies.

Exterior:  The car received a very high quality re-spray in its original color long before I bought it (I believe in the early 1990's. but I really don't know).   It is not perfect. but it has a deep luster. and shows very well.   There are the usual array of small nicks. and some small surface rust spots.   The only rust of any significance is on the left front valance. below the bumper.   You really can't see it unless you get on the ground and look for it.   It is a NOT a softball-sized hole (Update:  it is a strip of rust. photo now attached).   The valance can easily be replaced by a good body shop.   It never bothered me and it has not spread so I left it alone.   The engine bay and trunk are unrestored. original paint.   The car is always garaged.

Update:  I just had the car up on a hoist and took a bunch of photos.   I will post some here. and if you want more please ask.   I do not see any rust on the underside of the car.   I have never cleaned the underside of the car--what you see is how it has been for years.

The bumpers are retro-fitted '73 era chrome bumpers.   I bought the bumpers. the front bumper horns. the rubber trim strips on the front sides. and the rear bumper rubber trim strip. all from Aardvark Racing in California (also all new mounting hardware).   These are their 'show quality' chrome bumpers.   They are beautiful.   The rear rubber strip is the euro strip. with no holes for the over-riders (which weren't present on euro models).   I spent a lot to get the best.   These are re-chromed BMW bumpers. not aftermarket parts.

The glass is all in good shape.   The front windshield has some pitting.   Polished silver W/W arms.   New W/W squirters and hoses (yes. they work).   The passenger side door gasket is new.   I have a new driver's side gasket. and new window wing gaskets--I've just never installed them and they come with the car.   New under the hood engine compartment gaskets.

The rear window de-fogger does not work.   However. the car is water tight and it never really fogged up on me. so I have never replaced it.   I have a nice. used rear window with a defogger that I have never installed and you can of course have it.

The wheels are Rota R20 Alpina replicas.   They are pretty much made for 2002's.   They measure 15x6. with a 29mm offset.   They fit perfectly within the wheel wells. and absolutely no rubbing.   I have affixed Alpina roundel emblems to the center caps.   The tires are Yokohama S Drives. 195/60 x 15.   I have a set of 5 of these wheels and tires.   The spare is brand new (wheel and tire). never mounted on the car.   I also have the original steel wheels. with Falken tires. 205/60 x 13.   I recently re-painted them with Wurth silver. and bought new chrome beauty/trim rings.

Both exterior side mirrors are new.   The front grill center is new.   The hood and trunk emblems are new.

Interior:  The seats are reconditioned Recaros from a 320is.   I custom ordered them from Dave at Aardvark Racing.   They are fully reconditioned. and are covered with the highest quality German vinyl in Marine Blue. stippled (the color very closely matches the original blue interior).   I also ordered a matching rear seat cover. same material.   The original rear horsehair pad is in very good condition.   The seats are all in perfect condition.

New seat belt assemblies.   The front are BMW. the rear lap belts are aftermarket (they are new in the package. never installed--no one has ever sat in the new back seat).

The carpet is new. bought from Esty on the BMW 2002 FAQ site.   I also have a matching carpet pad in the trunk.   BMW Coco mats. blue/black. front and rear.

The steering wheel is a NOS 1980's Nardi. 39 centimeters/15. 3 inches. with the period correct Nardi hub (I bought the wheel and hub brand new).   The original steering wheel comes with the car as well.   Very old. classic wood shift knob. nicely broken in.   New ignition switch.

The stereo was professionally installed by Car Toys here in Seattle. and sounds fantastic.   Top of the line Kenwood CD player/receiver. Alpine Power Amp (mounted under the dash). front 6" speakers installed in the kick wells (not the doors). rear 6 x 9 speakers on the rear parcel shelf.   Bluetooth hands free cell phone operation.   The little mic is velcroed on the steering column cover. and the speakers are the phone's receiver.   The stereo volume is automatically muted when you either make or receive a call.   USB port on the face plate for an I Phone.

I replaced the stock ashtray center piece in the center console. with a custom made piece. painted crinkle black.   In the center is a period correct VDO clock which keeps perfect time. and its light is wired to the headlight dimmer.   Left side is the original hazard switch. right side is a 320i/E21 fog light switch (I have purple and orange buttons for it).   No aftermarket gauges.   The original ash tray center piece comes with the car.

The original door cards are in great condition.   The headliner has been replaced at some point before I owned the car.   It is very nice; there are a couple of small marks or blemishes in it.   New interior dome light.   The rearview mirror is the larger E21 mirror.   New sun visors and clips (they are euro visors. made for a right-hand drive car. so the vanity mirror is on the left side--here. the driver's side!).

All instruments work correctly.   The odometer reads around 77K. but it was broken when I bought the car.   I had it fixed. but the true mileage of the car is unknown.   I believe that the service records I have indicated mileage in the low 70K in the mid 1990's.  

The heater and heater fan work very well.   The cable for the dash--hot/cold regulator is broken.   I just manually open and close it from under the hood.   Keep it open all winter. closed all summer.

Aftermarket upgraded door brake stops.   The pin holder on the driver's side broke off. and it has been welded back on.   Barely noticeable.   The dash is very nice. one crack.

Suspension and Brakes.   Bilstein Heavy Duty struts and shocks (the Heavy Duty are not as stiff as the Sports).   Ireland Engineering (IE) Stage 1 springs (about 1 inch lowering). and IE sway bars front and rear.   The front end was completely reconditioned; all new IE urethane bushings. new ball joints. strut bearings. tie rod ends. I think a control arm. and whatever else needed replacing.   The rear subframe mounts and trailing arm bushings are IE urethane.   All suspension work was done by local 2002 mechanic Patrick O'Neil/Midnight Motorsports.   Patrick photo-documented the suspension work with a CD with 72 pictures (which I have).   References to his mechanical skills and dedication to the highest quality work for 2002's are abundant. just ask.   The ride is very smooth and comfortable. yet very tight and firm.   The car handles like no other.   It tracks straight and true.

The front brakes are stock. yet upgraded.   New calipers.   The rotors are slotted for cooling (from Bavarian Autosport).   The pads are IE's high-performance ceramic pads.   I think they work great.   The rear brakes are all stock BMW parts. New drums. wheel cylinders. and pads.

Engine and Drivetrain.   The engine is a BMW factory reconditioned engine. with an E12 cylinder head.   I believe it was installed in the 1990's. based on the service records.   All stock.   Weber 38/38 carburetor with a manual choke (I have it hooked up same as an early '02).   I never use the choke; the car fires up instantly when cold. no matter what the outside temperature is.   The carb was jetted and wide-band tuned by Patrick O'Neil.   The air cleaner housing is stock; I custom ordered it from Coupe King in CA.   They powder-coated it. and then cut out the bottom to match a 38/38 carb.   K&N washable air filter element.   New summer/winter box and accordion connector hose.   New Pierberg fuel pump. Bosch alternator. and voltage regulator.

The radiator is stock.   All hoses and clamps replaced with IE silicon hoses (black) and new clamps.   The temperature gauge is always right in the middle. except on the hottest of days (above 85). when it rises slightly.   It never overheats.   Newer battery. with an extra spare newer battery to keep in the garage.

All smog control has been removed (the car is exempt in every state except CA).   2002tii mechanical advance distributor. with IE electronic ignition.   No more points or condenser.   The dwell will always be perfect (never achievable with points).   New cap and rotor. plug wires. recent new spark plugs.

IE shorty exhaust header. ceramic coated.   IE stainless down pipe. and stainless exhaust system.   The exhaust is very quiet.   I don't think it's louder than stock.

The engine runs very. very well.   It will idle all day. and never skips a beat under acceleration or at highway speeds.   Although it is bone stock. with the improved carburation. ignition. and exhaust flow. it is really quick (the acceleration is improved by the lowered rear end ratio. as well--discussed below).   Throttle response is instant with no hesitation.   I find that the car has all the power I need. without ever revving it beyond 4. 00 rpms.   That said. 99 percent of the time I am just putting around town (my daily commute is under 10 miles. never go more than 35 mph).   I change the oil every 2. 00 miles.   It uses no oil. and there are no leaks.

The transmission is a 5 speed from a 320i/E21. in perfect operating condition.   If you didn't know. the first 4 gears are the same ratio as the stock 2002 trans. and the 5th is an overdrive.   The transmission was custom installed by Patrick O'Neil.   No aftermarket brackets.   Patrick removes the original brackets from the driveline tunnel. and welds in new brackets in the correct location of the tunnel.   Bulletproof installation (and also photo-documented).   New guibo. drive shaft center bearing. clutch. pressure plate. and throw out bearing.   Lightened flywheel (the cheapest horsepower you can buy!).   Short shift kit (I didn't think I'd like it. but wow is it great).   The car is a dream to drive on the highway.   At 70 mph it's revving at about 3. 00 rpms (instead of 4. 00).

The rear end differential is also from a 320i/E21.   It is a 3. 90:1 limited slip differential. I bought from Aardvark Racing (they bolt right in).   It is in very good condition. It is mounted with IE urethane diff hanging bushings.   The limited slip makes a surprising difference in the feel of the car under acceleration. and cornering. on wet or dry pavement.   The lower ratio (stock is 3. 64:1) improves acceleration. and makes the car sportier and more fun to drive around town.

The original tool kit is in the trunk.  

This is a 40 year old vintage automobile. with an excellent patina.   You will love driving it.   It is more fun to drive than I can describe.   It is very well sorted--I have driven it every day for 4 ½ years. and it has never let me down.   I am asking $20. 00. 00 for the car.   I will entertain all reasonable offers.   I have more pictures of the car. and can take more if you want. just let me know.   You are welcome to have the car inspected.

You are responsible for all shipping costs.   I will not ship the car for you. but will work with your carrier.   I have done this once before.

Thanks. Stuart.

Also published at eBay.com

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