Car Talk 5: The Juice is Loose!

[Desertbreh]

https://postimg.cc/TKx7XHrN


https://postimg.cc/56L7TMFF

Lisa's dad's car. He bought it new. Spent the last 8-10 years as a wood shelf, collecting dust and mice nests. Convinced him to pull it out of the garage and we wrenched on it to get it running. Needs a lot. Was pretty funny to drive. Brakes are horrific, clutch pedal hinge is floor mounted, idle was 2k so that needs to be fixed, and carb tuning is off. But it ran pretty strong nonetheless. Engine was smoking when we were done, I think it's just starter oil we put into the block burning off the exhaust headers (that job was a little messy). Frame has a hole in it. Some rust.

40 MPH feels flat out reckless because you're like 6" off the ground in a go kart. It's loud and makes good noises. It's not really my thing. He said he'd give it to me if I want it.

Seems like a neat thing to do? Nice of him. I would probably jump on it and slowly bring it back to life. These sorted are pretty

All of

[coogles]

Lisa's dad's car. He bought it new. Spent the last 8-10 years as a wood shelf, collecting dust and mice nests. Convinced him to pull it out of the garage and we wrenched on it to get it running. Needs a lot. Was pretty funny to drive. Brakes are horrific, clutch pedal hinge is floor mounted, idle was 2k so that needs to be fixed, and carb tuning is off. But it ran pretty strong nonetheless. Engine was smoking when we were done, I think it's just starter oil we put into the block burning off the exhaust headers (that job was a little messy). Frame has a hole in it. Some rust.

40 MPH feels flat out reckless because you're like 6" off the ground in a go kart. It's loud and makes good noises. It's not really my thing. He said he'd give it to me if I want it.

The modded examples out there look like an absolute blast to drive. You have prospects for somewhere to keep it and wrench on it? Without that it'd be tough to take on a car like that. I think I'd prefer an E30, but I'd still happily find a space for a 2002 in my garage.

[D Griff]

Lisa's dad's car. He bought it new. Spent the last 8-10 years as a wood shelf, collecting dust and mice nests. Convinced him to pull it out of the garage and we wrenched on it to get it running. Needs a lot. Was pretty funny to drive. Brakes are horrific, clutch pedal hinge is floor mounted, idle was 2k so that needs to be fixed, and carb tuning is off. But it ran pretty strong nonetheless. Engine was smoking when we were done, I think it's just starter oil we put into the block burning off the exhaust headers (that job was a little messy). Frame has a hole in it. Some rust.

40 MPH feels flat out reckless because you're like 6" off the ground in a go kart. It's loud and makes good noises. It's not really my thing. He said he'd give it to me if I want it.

The modded examples out there look like an absolute blast to drive. You have prospects for somewhere to keep it and wrench on it? Without that it'd be tough to take on a car like that. I think I'd prefer an E30, but I'd still happily find a space for a 2002 in my garage.

I'd be torn... 2002 looks cooler, but E30 is likely a bit better to drive. They both look great , I'd take either as well, probably would lean to the 2002.

It seems like a tough sell with street parking though, it seems like a car that would need some wrenching/TLC somewhat regularly. that is was pretty easy to get going after 10 years of neglect

[Johnny_P]

The modded examples out there look like an absolute blast to drive. You have prospects for somewhere to keep it and wrench on it? Without that it'd be tough to take on a car like that. I think I'd prefer an E30, but I'd still happily find a space for a 2002 in my garage.

I'd be torn... 2002 looks cooler, but E30 is likely a bit better to drive. They both look great , I'd take either as well, probably would lean to the 2002.

It seems like a tough sell with street parking though, it seems like a car that would need some wrenching/TLC somewhat regularly. that is was pretty easy to get going after 10 years of neglect

Yeah I mean its running rough, definitely needs to be tuned. Spark plugs were black and covered in carbon.... so once its running OK it needs to be driven a handful of miles on the highway or something to clear it up.

There's no way I'd street park this. It would be gone in 2 days. Or backed into by some dumbass and totaled.

[Johnny_P]

A sane 2002 restomod with a 318ti engine would be super cool. 15" wheels with some conti sports, decent brakes and shocks... but you need a garage to own an old car.

Its more of a fun quirky car. Not a racy car at all, at least in stock form.

Really not sure what was up with the brakes but they had like no stopping power at all. One of the rear drums was fully seized, we had to hammer the adjusters back so maybe that's what is wrong.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Not sure you'd want this to be an only car, it's really just a fun/tinker thing.

That said, if it needs to be moved...this is the exact sort of thing I'm looking for. I LOVE that car and have always wanted a 2002.

[troyguitar]

There was a guy in KY with a fairly lightly modded 2002 (just basic suspension bolt-on stuff, wheels and tires - no idea on brakes) that ran it in autox all of the time, it was on stock power so not fast but it seemed to handle well enough and looked fun. It's so much smaller than an E30, or pretty much any modern car, that it'd be a really experience.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

There was a guy in KY with a fairly lightly modded 2002 (just basic suspension bolt-on stuff, wheels and tires - no idea on brakes) that ran it in autox all of the time, it was on stock power so not fast but it seemed to handle well enough and looked fun. It's so much smaller than an E30, or pretty much any modern car, that it'd be a really experience.

I had a buddy in CA that had a 2002. His dad bought it new and he inherited it when his dad passed away suddenly. He got it around the same time I got my e30, and the two side by side were hilarious. My e30 dwarfed it on the outside. I loved my e30, but I was really taken by the 2002. It's so small, but being German surprisingly spacious. The greenhouse is massive so you can see everything, and it really does drive like a go-kart. Not fast, but that's not the point. It's really a ton of fun to blast around in.

I've looked on and off for years, but the prices went into the stratosphere pretty fast. They're fun, but not like $15k+ fun.

[D Griff]

A sane 2002 restomod with a 318ti engine would be super cool. 15" wheels with some conti sports, decent brakes and shocks... but you need a garage to own an old car.

Its more of a fun quirky car. Not a racy car at all, at least in stock form.

Really not sure what was up with the brakes but they had like no stopping power at all. One of the rear drums was fully seized, we had to hammer the adjusters back so maybe that's what is wrong.

Probably shit fluid, air in the system, and shit pads? I imagine just a regular flush/clean/new pads and maybe rotors would go far.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Its more of a fun quirky car. Not a racy car at all, at least in stock form.

Really not sure what was up with the brakes but they had like no stopping power at all. One of the rear drums was fully seized, we had to hammer the adjusters back so maybe that's what is wrong.

Probably shit fluid, air in the system, and shit pads? I imagine just a regular flush/clean/new pads and maybe rotors would go far.

Drums in the back would likely need new wheel cylinders if they're stuck. Still, very simple overall.

[Desertbreh]

Man this is just an epic conundrum that makes me everywhere. On the one hand, you are being offered FOR FREE, really one of the crown jewels of BMW history (no it's not a tii but he probably wouldn't give that to you), which is easy to wrench on, simple, and just a fun project........needs worked but hardly a basket case. But on the other hand you simply have no garage for it.

IDK. Friends with extra garage spaces are hard to come by.

[wap]

https://postimg.cc/TKx7XHrN


https://postimg.cc/56L7TMFF

Lisa's dad's car. He bought it new. Spent the last 8-10 years as a wood shelf, collecting dust and mice nests. Convinced him to pull it out of the garage and we wrenched on it to get it running. Needs a lot. Was pretty funny to drive. Brakes are horrific, clutch pedal hinge is floor mounted, idle was 2k so that needs to be fixed, and carb tuning is off. But it ran pretty strong nonetheless. Engine was smoking when we were done, I think it's just starter oil we put into the block burning off the exhaust headers (that job was a little messy). Frame has a hole in it. Some rust.

40 MPH feels flat out reckless because you're like 6" off the ground in a go kart. It's loud and makes good noises. It's not really my thing. He said he'd give it to me if I want it.

Seems like a neat thing to do? Nice of him. I would probably jump on it and slowly bring it back to life. These sorted are pretty

Looks like it would be super fun to do, assuming you can wrench on it at his house.

[Melon]

If you want to delve into this, I'd be willing to sell my M20, trans and ECU to you for this.
I'm pretty sure I'll begin looking into an E46 ZHP swap into the E30 and an M20 into a 2002 would be the tits.

Also man, if you need any assistance holla.
These cars are stupid simple, so most of the wrenchers on here could answer your questions.

[coogles]

If you want to delve into this, I'd be willing to sell my M20, trans and ECU to you for this.
I'm pretty sure I'll begin looking into an E46 ZHP swap into the E30 and an M20 into a 2002 would be the tits.

What a fun project that would be.

[Tar]

I think Johnny should sell it to Chris to help fund his next purchase. F*ck I want it!

[Desertbreh]

I would be remiss in failing to point out the linear upward progression of free shit being offered to you. We went from Subaru wagon to BMW 2002. Let us know when your uncle offers you his 930 Turbo.

[Melon]

2002 is a legit classic. It's the Genesis of the 3-series.
The E30 is the beginning of the "Ultimate Driving Machine" tag line, and the yuppie stigma, but the 2002 is the Alpha.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

I think Johnny should sell it to Chris to help fund his next purchase. F*ck I want it!

I'm so into this idea.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

2002 is a legit classic. It's the Genesis of the 3-series.
The E30 is the beginning of the "Ultimate Driving Machine" tag line, and the yuppie stigma, but the 2002 is the Alpha.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

If you want to delve into this, I'd be willing to sell my M20, trans and ECU to you for this.
I'm pretty sure I'll begin looking into an E46 ZHP swap into the E30 and an M20 into a 2002 would be the tits.

Also man, if you need any assistance holla.
These cars are stupid simple, so most of the wrenchers on here could answer your questions.

Never really looked into it, does an M20 fit without a ton of work into an 2002? They never came with 6cyl did they?

[Melon]

Lower it a tad, with Euro bumpers + Alpina wheels.

[Johnny_P]

Its more of a fun quirky car. Not a racy car at all, at least in stock form.

Really not sure what was up with the brakes but they had like no stopping power at all. One of the rear drums was fully seized, we had to hammer the adjusters back so maybe that's what is wrong.

Probably shit fluid, air in the system, and shit pads? I imagine just a regular flush/clean/new pads and maybe rotors would go far.

The drums don't have auto adjusters, it's manual. Likely we adjusted it way too loose and there's a ton of free travel before it engages now.

[Melon]

If you want to delve into this, I'd be willing to sell my M20, trans and ECU to you for this.
I'm pretty sure I'll begin looking into an E46 ZHP swap into the E30 and an M20 into a 2002 would be the tits.

Also man, if you need any assistance holla.
These cars are stupid simple, so most of the wrenchers on here could answer your questions.

Never really looked into it, does an M20 fit without a ton of work into an 2002? They never came with 6cyl did they?

I know it's pretty common, not sure of the specifics.
Electronically, it's an all encompassed unit, only major retrofit would be a fuel pump to push the 38 psi to the injectors.

And it's really the best home for my engine. I can't sell it to a spec E30 racer because of the cam and valvetrain upgrades.
Other than that, no one really wants M20's.

[Melon]

Before we go too far down the rabbit hole, let me be real with you for a minute.

Classic cars really are a labor of love. It will ALWAYS need work, and will usually need some parts, some expensive, some not.
I now carry extra oil, coolant, a tool kit I got just for the E30, a spare jack, extra belts, and a fix-a-flat and first aid kit.

E30 needs:
Left passenger rear brake fixed
Exhaust leak fixed
Tach needle is loose and doesn't read right
Belts always fucking squeak
Leaks some oil, few drops from the RMS or trans input shaft
Diff clutches need replacing
Valve adjustment
Valve cover gasket

This is just a running list, I have the parts for most of this, just need to spend a full weekend working on it, in addition to the truck needing service, and wanting to do a paint correction on the 328i.

If this is something you really want, and are even remotely passionate about, find a way to make it happen. These cars are few and far between in this condition, and you'll likely never come across another one without shelling out serious cash. I know people who have paid upwards of $60k for 2002 restorations.

But, if this is kinda "meh" in your book, or you don't really have the fire in your belly be willing to help auction it off to someone who really wants it.

That's my opinion man.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Never really looked into it, does an M20 fit without a ton of work into an 2002? They never came with 6cyl did they?

I know it's pretty common, not sure of the specifics.
Electronically, it's an all encompassed unit, only major retrofit would be a fuel pump to push the 38 psi to the injectors.

And it's really the best home for my engine. I can't sell it to a spec E30 racer because of the cam and valvetrain upgrades.
Other than that, no one really wants M20's.

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic ... r-dummies/

It doesn't sound too horrible, and holy crap would that be a fun car!