1971 BMW 2002ti

Update 9.24.2011: SOLD!

The BMW 2002 is no stranger to German automotive enthusiasts. This is the car that virtually invented the sports sedan category, and the high performance, fuel injected 2002tii was the model that put this range on the map. Other models such as the cabriolets, the Touring hatchback and the legendary Turbo helped solidify this lineup in BMW history.

One 2002 that you don’t hear a lot about is the twin carburetted 2002ti. Introduced in 1968, the 2002ti had twin Solex carburetors, front and rear anti roll bars and was offered with a 5 speed manual gearbox. Larger tires rounded out the package.

An owner of a 2002ti with the sought after dog leg, 5 speed manual gearbox has brought his car to our attention in the hopes that this honest, two owner example of the car that popularized BMW would find a good, new home.

1971 BMW 2002ti

I own the ti along with one of my brothers. VIN is 1691012. Current mileage is approximately 145,000 miles although the odometer started working intermittently on the last drive. We bought it from the original owner in 2002 (appropriately) – a fellow Canadian who bought the car while overseas and brought it back to Vancouver, Canada. It is completely stock and (nearly) unmodified.

The car has all of the sought after ti features such as a dogleg close ratio 5 speed, wider ti steel wheels, sport steering wheel, crack free two piece dashboard, original small console with AM radio, clock, four blade fan, boxed trailing arms, etc.

Interior

The interior is completely stock. The front seats have sheepskin seat covers but are in good condition although the driver’s seat does have a seam split on the seatback. New carpet kit installed this summer. The original owner installed a Webasto-style sunroof (Weatherford) when new – works well and does not leak.

Exterior

In 1981 the first owner stopped using the car as his daily driver and performed a fairly major ‘restoration’. This resulted in a couple of issues with the car – the front radiator support is a ‘snorkel’ type and the front turn signals are the North American style. Nothing to be done about the snorkel but we do have a couple of sets of Euro turn signals that will come with the car. We were never happy enough with the quality of the used sets we bought to warrant installing them.

In 2008 we spent a pile of cash chasing rust out of the car – mainly the pedal box and driver’s side rockers. I would not say the car is completely rust free as I suspect both rockers are still a bit soft in spots but there are no major issues whatsoever.

Lastly, sadly, one of us who shall remain nameless lowered the car off the floor jack last week without confirming everything was out from underneath – the result is a crease in the front valance. The neighbour’s children also now have a jumpstart on their peers in terms of colourful language.

Mechanical

The car has no major issues of any kind. No smoke on acceleration or deceleration, no major syncho issues once the transmission is warmed up, no weird noises. It is currently equipped with twin Weber 40 DCOEs with the stock air box and carburettor linkage rather than the two Solex 40 PHH carburettors that were original equipment on the car. The original Solexes will come with the car, along with a rebuild kit.

Note that the Getrag Close Ratio 5 speed has first gear below reverse while second gears through fifth gear are in the H pattern. Fifth gear is not an overdrive gear and is a 1 to 1 ratio like the 4th gear in the standard 4 speed transmission.

This is how the gear ratios in the two transmissions compare

4-speed 5-speed
1st 3.835 3.368
2nd 2.053 2.16
3rd 1.345 1.579
4th 1.0 1.241
5th – 1.0

Mechanical work completed and parts replaced during the last 9 years.

-Most of the brake system including; master cylinder, wheel cylinders, hoses etc
-KYB struts and shocks
-Strut bearings
-Transmission shift tower and bushings
-Rear exhaust system
-Alternator
-Water pump
-4 185/70R 13 tires

The car would drive anywhere with no issue. Photos of the car can be seen using the following link:

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewthumb/17624219626-1312387792-97112/parm/page/1/15

Further, we have some records from the original owner dating back to 1981 showing an engine overhaul at 107K miles and the bodywork for $7800 in 1981 dollars. To put the bodywork into perspective, a new BMW 318i was $14,000.

We have decided to sell the car as neither of us use it enough to warrant hanging on to it. We are asking CDN $20,000. Is that fair market value – who knows? There really is no market for this model because they rarely come up for sale. What we do know is that there are reportedly fewer than 50 ti in North America and this is certainly one of the most original examples anywhere.

If interested, please contact the seller here: grbennett@shaw.ca

-Paul