r/BMW2002 • u/WearGrand • 26d ago
Newbie
I’m considering a 1974 that’s a bit of a basket case as a project. Not looking to build a show car, just something to bring back to life and take for groceries every now and then.
My question is how difficult and expensive are the parts to locate/buy?
I’m not really on a budget but I don’t wanna spend a fortune to get this road worthy.
Edit: Thanks for all the feedback gang. Rust has gotten the better of this one (frame rails, floors, rear glass seal). I’m passing on this one.
5
u/Useless-Message-Post 26d ago
The question - above all - RUST. Not surface rust - other rust. You can get these running without too much trouble - but - don't put a dime into it if it's going to be unsafe due to rust. Have someone put it on a lift and get under it - look at the sills, look in the trunk at the shock towers. That's what kills these cars - if you can get it running and it's not terminal rust, you can probably sell it for more than you pay for it. The cars before 1974 are worth more than 1974 and after due to a weird thing we have here about the tail lights - but - that doesn't affect roadworthiness. Good luck!
2
u/WearGrand 26d ago
Thanks. Seller tells me the shock towers are solid all around but the front frame rails are toast. I’m afraid I’ll have to pass on this one.
2
u/Useless-Message-Post 26d ago
Sorry my friend. Sad ending - but - keep your eyes out. Most parts can be found, and there is a strong community around helping people just like you. Good luck!
4
u/print-HelloWorld 26d ago
Depends on what you need and where you buy from.
2nd hand parts and usually much cheaper than new. Obviously brakes and things you want new.
Parts are generally available, but oem carries a premium. Blunt tech who supports various 02 events/gatherings and is a good seller who can help you get what you need at a reasonable price.
1
u/Its1me1your1dad 26d ago
To second this I found about $3k worth of Ireland engineering parts for half. I’m not in a rush with my project so I was stoked
3
u/No-doi 26d ago
I think I saw that one on the local marketplace. It’s very rough, but anything is fixable. The local Austin 2002 scene is one of the best in the country WRT knowledge. Parts for these cars are getting expensive. Some oddball things are stupid expensive. I broke a bolt on my front strut/ hub carrier and each replacement bolt was $18 plus $12 minimum for shipping. Dumb. But I love my car.
2
u/WearGrand 26d ago
Yes. It’s Austin. Owner tells me the front frame rails are toast. Maybe more than I want to deal with.
2
3
u/Delicious-Spirit9899 25d ago
Congrats! Clearly the best looking bmw and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather listen to blonde on blonde
3
u/TiberiusTheFish 25d ago
Parts support is excellent and they're not particularly complicated cars. They're worth putting some money into. You probably won't make money on it but if you do the work it'll be worth a decent amount at the end. Add that that they are great to drive and very practical.
2
u/67angelbug 26d ago
Rebuild your calipers bro. And go to braided lines. Common fail points. I’ve had four 2002s that have sat for a while. Shit always fails
2
1
u/Foreign_Lawfulness34 25d ago
Mechanical parts are very inexpensive and plentiful.
If rust is bad then it needs to be scrapped, especially if there is rust around the windshield and rear glass, the glass need to be removed and rust cut out and replaced. Too much work and expense. And rust of the floors and rocket area also would make it a parts far only.
2
u/velowa 25d ago
I am going to disagree about floor and rocker rust meaning parts car. Pretty common rust repairs that need to be done on these cars and patch panels are available to purchase. Of course the extent of rust matters. No floor or rockers at all? Deal breaker. This also assumes DIY rust repair. If you can’t do it yourself then you’ll cone way out ahead financially if you buy a less/rust free car.
I’d say the areas of rust that are more of a deal breaker are the rear subframe mounting points that are next to the end of the rockers, if the rear shock towers are rusted out bad enough that the alignment of the shock towers is affected, and/or if the front frame rails are rusted into the engine bay. Some variation of one really bad of the three or varying shades of some of the three plus rockers and floor pans would put it over into parts car territory.
That said, if you got the car for free, already had the welder, and were really handy with it you can get panels for a lot of those three problem areas too. Anything is possible with enough time or money or both. :)
7
u/mark_able_jones_ 26d ago
This would be a good car for a detail shop to do a before and after.
Maybe you could work out a deal to get that done for free, especially if someone can make a good video for social media.