1976 BMW 2002

First registered in California in 1976, ‘NTG 253P’ was imported here in August 2017 and the seller has had it in his care since May 2019. A friend of his, the chap who runs Type 2 Detectives, ran it as his personal car for a while and carried out the modifications that made the seller fall in love with it.

Eventually, he persuaded him to sell it to him.

Period documents from America suggest it had covered around 94,000kms by the time it arrived here but that’s pretty much academic as its UK restoration saw it fitted with a period-correct two-litre engine, a five-speed manual gearbox, and a Weber carburettor.

No wonder he fell in love, eh?

Now ULEZ-free and far more practical than the old Porsche 911 the owner used to run, this charming little BMW 2002 would make an ideal daily driver for the family who can’t bear the thought of doing the school and supermarket run in a small diesel hatchback.

The exterior has been gently modified with the removal of the Federal impact bumpers and the installation of Turbo-style front and rear spoilers prior to it being painted. The seller, thinks, but isn’t sure, the paint was done here in the UK. If true, this would make it fairly recent.

Regardless of the time that’s elapsed, doesn’t it look terrific? 

The shape, with its reverse-rack nose and not-so-subtle Turbo enhancements is iconic anyway but the combination of white coachwork, discreet BMW M tricolour stripes, and gold Minilite-style wheels raises it to a whole new level in our eyes.

And the underlying metalwork is very good. With no dents, dinks or other damage, the alignment and shutlines are first-rate and the factory sunroof fits in its aperture very well.

The paintwork is holding up very well but then we’re told that “it is always garaged and has been enjoyed sparingly in fine weather”, which would help explain why it still looks so good.

The 15-inch Minilite-style alloy wheels are fitted with a set of fat-walled tyres, a combination that lends it a perfectly judged stance. The tyres themselves are 165/60R15 Avon ZT7s – and you know how we feel about matching high-quality tyres like this by now, don’t you?

Everything else, including the lamp lenses, window glass, and windscreen, is in a very good condition.

Which means the work you might like to consider is minimal. Some of the alloy wheels have some scrapes on their rims, for example, and the badge on the boot lid is a little worn. 

The rear window seal has seen better days too, as has the sunroof seal, but these could probably wait for a while. 

The interior is also very good thanks to a light refurbishment that included new carpets in the front footwells and over the transmission tunnel. The latter was needed as the factory centre console was removed as it housed the now-redundant air-conditioning controls.

New cards grace the doors, and the passenger seat has been recovered in vinyl. A smaller, fatter Momo steering wheel is fitted along with a modern Alpine Bluetooth headunit with a DAB radio aerial and new speakers.

There’s a gorgeous wooden gearknob too, plus a modern USB power point installed where the cigarette lighter used to be.

The net result is a cabin that looks splendid and is utterly fit for purpose, cleverly blending modern high-tech with the period charm that draws us to cars like this in the first place.

The huge boot has been painted well and features a good carpet over the fuel tank and full-size steel spare wheel. The CD-multichanger you see in there isn’t connected.

As for flaws, we can see the steering wheel might be a little too patinated for some tastes and there are a few spots of surface rust in the boot to take care of.

The headlining for the sunroof also needs replacing. The seller removed it to install new control wires and ran out of time before it was due here and rather than bodge it quickly into place he thought he’d leave it off (it’s in the boot) and let the new owner take their time and do the job properly.

The two-litre engine might not be the original but it’s period-correct and boasts a Weber carburettor for better performance, performance that has been further enhanced with the professional removal of the US emissions equipment and the antiquated (and heavy) air-conditioning system by ASM Classics of Kent.

A full stainless-steel exhaust system adds longevity, easier exhalation and a devilish exhaust note.

A five-speed gearbox makes for long-legged cruising, and Munich Legends has undertaken further work to the differential seals and mounts, as well as the gearbox seals, mounts and couplings. 

It’s also had new front brake discs and pads fitted since the seller’s owned it.

The BMW is said to “drive beautifully with rolling-road data to demonstrate” and we note peak power of 108.4bhp and a maximum torque figure of 118.7 lb.ft, which should provide sparkling performance.

As you can see in the video, it starts well, idles perfectly, and revs like a demon - and say what you like about the efficiency of fuel injection, nothing beats the rasp of a big carburettor, does it?

We’ve totted up the bills that are on file and discovered the seller has spent well over £9,000 on bringing it up to the condition you see here. Mind you, given he’s been using it for regular runs down to Cornwall, we’re guessing reliability was as important to him as performance.

As for work that needs doing, the seller tells us “there is a small oil leak from the front timing covers but it is so small I haven't felt the need to remedy it.” 

We might be tempted to add detailing the engine bay to the list of work you’ll probably want to carry out, more because everything else is so good than because it is especially poor.

But, the underside looks solid and is preserved with a neat coat of underseal, so that probably doesn’t need anything.

NB: All the parts that have been removed, including the emission equipment, the air-conditioning system, and the console, have been retained and are included in sale.

The history file includes some historical documents from its time in the United States and the significant investment the seller has made is supported by the invoices you see uploaded here. 

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear except for the marker for being an imported car, and it comes with two sets of keys and a workshop manual.

The BMW doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 

We’re huge fans of the 2002 because of their practicality, charm, and rorty performance – and despite their diminutive size they offer space for a 2+2 family plus plenty of room in the boot.

They also hold their value well, which might make buying one a bit more painful but it doesn’t half reduce the sorrow of losing it when the time comes to let it go.

Which brings us to the question of value. We think this one will sell for somewhere between £15,000 and £18,000, after which you could continue to modify it as a feisty retro-classic sporting saloon or take it back to its original condition and enjoy a slightly gentler experience.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.