The BMW 2002 is the first car that I can remember wanting to own. I remember the magazine advertisements from the early 70’s before I was old enough to drive, “BMW the ultimate driving machine”. Whether the ad was true then or now may still be a question, but the ad certainly worked on this future sports car enthusiast. And at the time the 2002 was the BMW to want. Although I’ve owned 325’s and 328’s I’ve never owned a 2002, but it is still on my list and I’m still looking for that ultimate driving machine.
BMW built the 2002 Tii from 1971 to 1976 and of these years the 1971 and 1973 model years had the round tail lights. The Tii version of the 2002 is fuel injected using Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection system and all Tii models were 4 speed manual transmissions. The 71-73 Tii models also weigh about 255 pounds less than the standard models, at 2310 pounds vs 2565 pounds. The M10 engine is a 1990cc SOHC inline 4-cylinder engine that produced 140 BHP@5800 RPMs for those two years; I have read 130 BHP in some publications, but either way it is very acceptable for a light, early 70’s sports coupe. That BHP is 27 more than the Solex 2bbl carbureted engines of the same years. Almost everything else on the car is the same as the standard model.
The Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection system has a bad reputation in some circles, but it seems that most of the problems that some mechanics do not understand the injection system the adjustments that need to be made. The fuel injection pump uses engine oil for lubrication making it even more important that you keep your machine in a well maintained condition. The early Tiis have intake runners made from molded plastic and the later models were made from aluminum. Although the plastic runners give better flow, the can tend to crack and split.
While looks are all a matter of taste, the smaller bumpers of the earlier Tii’s and the round tail lights make them my personal favorite.
71/72/73 2002 Tii Specifications:
| Engine Type | SOHC Inline 4 cylinder |
| Engine Displacement (CC) | 1990 |
| BPH@RPM | 140@5800 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.01 |
| Torque (lbs-ft @ RPM) | 145@3000 |
| Fuel Injection | Kugelfischer Mechanical |
| Transmission | 4 Speed Manual |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut, Lower A-Arms, Coil Springs, Tube Shocks |
| Rear Suspension | Semi-Trailing Arms, Coil Springs, Tube Shocks |
| Wheelbase (inches) | 98.4 |
| Weight (pounds) | 2310 |
| Wheels | 13 x 5.0 |
| Tires | 165HR-13 |
| Brakes | |
| Front | 9.4 in Discs |
| Rear | 7.9 in Drums |
| 0-60 MPH (seconds) | 9.8 |
| Maximum Speed (MPH) | 115 |
| Estimated fuel economy (MPG) | 22.7 |
From around the internet:
Motor Trend: (The BMW 2002) imbued the everyday car with a measure of sportiness and sophistication, demonstrated that performance means more than going fast in a straight line, and moved BMW a notch up the automaker food chain.
http://www.motortrend.com/news/c12-0612-1972-bmw-2002-tii/
1972 BMW 2002 Tii Value:
Below is a chart from www.hagerty.com that shows the valuation for the last three years of a 1972 Tii (note, this is one of the places that list’s the engine output as 130 BHP that I mentioned earlier). The 2002 Tii would have provided it’s owner a respectable rate of return and if you look at it over a 5 year period, a great rate of return. Please feel free to quote my post and the chart below when discussing investment and retirement options with your significant other.
BMW logo on Inca Orange 2002
BMW 2002 Tii at the vintage races at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX, November 2015
BMW 2002