My latest toy / money pit...UPDATE...Wheel Refurb 101

[poolnoodle]

Here are a few pics of my recently purchased 1974 2002 (and my chromie).
The car is in fantastic original condition, rust free and only needs a few minor things tidied up.
Plan to keep it pretty original - only replace nasty plastic steering wheel and possibly some E21 recaros if I can find them.

[Rodderz]

I like! Good colour for an 02!

[poolnoodle]

Original Polaris Silver. The car was resprayed about 6-8 years ago by the previous owner (I am the third owner). It isn't a perfect job but OK unless I decide to go concourse

[mattrs]

Nice!

[m4xos]

[Rav335uk]

Very

[poolnoodle]

Thanks guys, it really turns heads around town - a lot more than my chromie
I am surprised and how much power (and torque) it has - a lot better than I remember my old E21 318i. I can only imagine how much fun the turbo version must be with almost twice the ponies.
This one needs the suspension sorted - Eibach and Bilsteins on the shopping list as the 35 year old springs are a little tired (hence the arse end sag ). Hopefully I can get it set up to handle like the chromie.
Some research has left me pleasantly surprised regarding availability and price of parts. As I have to get most things imported, there is more available than for an E30
Jaymic in the UK have a huge selection of bits and pieces and specialise in older BMWs

[inlovewithRWD]

Jaymic are good. You could also try www.wallothnesch.com

[markus_74]

really like this car and surprised, very original and clean.

can I get the interior pictures?

thanks
markus

[BIGMRLEE]

very nice got a 1970 orange 2002 with the round rear lights sat on my drive for the wife needing alot work

[poolnoodle]

really like this car and surprised, very original and clean.

can I get the interior pictures?

thanks
markus

Interior needs a little work - front seats good but rear knackered. Will post some more pics shortly

[poolnoodle]

A few more pics, as you can see it is a pretty solid car and won't take too many $$$ to get it up to scratch. The biggest expense looks like fixing some bodged body work a the front passengers corner.

[poolnoodle]

Jaymic are good. You could also try www.wallothnesch.com

Thanks for the tip - checked their site out this week. Great stuff, especially at current exchange rates.
Have already put together a big list of parts, if only they sold E30 parts with the same range

[Baz666]

i so want 02, yours look so nice fella

[Jim320i]

Very nice mate, I would love an 02 so much... Dream car... I might try and start saving for one in the near future... Would want a project too so dont mind a rust bucket, as long as its not too far gone.

[poolnoodle]

Thanks. It is a great car to drive as well
I plan a few minor upgrades but mostly stock. Have just about secured a set of 13" period alloys (Alpina reps) and will be hunting down a retro leather wheel and some retro recaros (E21 or similar)

[poolnoodle]

An update - my latest acquisition are some alpina rep wheels (100+)

...and a poor man's Photoshop (use your mind to block out the box )


I love the look of these wheels and they have come up nice after some elbow grease, various grit papers and some metal polish.
Have capitalised on the strength of the Aussie dollar and got a heap of parts from Germany (Walloth) and the UK (Jaymic). Even picked up some second hand (barely used) Eibachs from California.
Left on my list is a set of Koni reds or Bili B6 and a new dash (this will be the tough part) along with assorted trim parts and suspension rubbers, etc.
I am loving this car more and more each time I drive it - sadly it has left my chromie feeling left out - even contemplating selling after owning it for 15 years....nah not really

[AlpineAde]

This is a great car, poolnoodle. I love it! As much as it may offend you, I actually like it a little bit more than the E30. Sorry.

Should I run away?

I reckon the reps will look great, also ~ poor man's photoshop is very convincing.

[MrBenn]

Sweet car, looks really nice in Polaris

Like the Alpina reps too.

The head went on my O2 in the winter, I really should fix her up.

[suchy]

Lovely
Well executed faux-tow-shop

[m0gsia]

Thats beautiful

[Falkster]

Very nice!! 323 is top as well!!!

[dim]

my perfect two car garage i wish had an 02 to go with my e30 keep us posted with all the new bits

[poolnoodle]

I actually like it a little bit more than the E30. Sorry.

Should I run away?

Not all all - starting to feel this way myself. Sacrilage on a E30 site, I know.
Once I get the Eibachs and Konis on it will be great - amazed at the poke the bog stock M10 has (puts the M20B23 to shame really). Can only imagine how great the ti or tii is to drive.
The only thing that lets it down against the E30 is the interior - the seats are just awful and I need E21 sports or 02 turbo seats. Both are very scarce in these parts
Unfortunately, E30 sports seats sit way too high.

[AlpineAde]

Have you seen this site, poolnoodle?

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/content/view/35/32/

[poolnoodle]

Yes, I have thanks. they consensus on a few sites is the E21 recaros as the best upgrade. I believe they are a straight fit. These were on JPS models in Australia but I haven't seen too many of those.
E30 sports seat would need modifying but they are a great seat, unfortunately they too are scarce in Tasmania and freight is a killer.
Something will turn up eventually

[AlpineAde]

I have E21 Recaros in my car. They sit lowwwwwwwww! Just how I like it.

[polsta]

love it

[poolnoodle]

I have E21 Recaros in my car. They sit lowwwwwwwww! Just how I like it.

I bet you would love swap them for standard blue velour and vinyl '02 seats

[AlpineAde]

Absolutely!

[poolnoodle]

After many long hours, several sheets of assorted grit paper, plenty of AutoSol I have managed to go from this:


To this:


I am very pleased with the results - all for a few bucks and a sore arm.
Still have to touch up the highlights, get the lot clear coated and find some suitable centre caps

[casper8r]

Despite the color of this ^^ being a result of not setting the white balance on the camera, I quite like the way it looks - lovely warm shade of silver, almost golden.

If you're as creative and diligent with the restoration as you were with fake Photoshop it's going to be some result! That's not to say it looks bad now, amazing condition for a car this old.

Oh, and on e21 recaro's - pretty sure the same seats were used in some Ford Escorts. Hopefully someone who knows for sure will be along soon to correct me.

[m_jermyn]

Neal

Great work there mate, they look incredible.... How are your fingertips? bit sore and I bet you no longer have any finger prints.

[TouringTash]

Thats a beauty and by the sounds of it its now in the loving arms of a fanatic
All the best for the future and if you get some spare time I'll post my BBS's for a refurb

Good job fella

[poolnoodle]

Oh, and on e21 recaro's - pretty sure the same seats were used in some Ford Escorts. Hopefully someone who knows for sure will be along soon to correct me.

Managed to get some period recaros from a late 70s Mazda Rx-7. Need a retrim but got them really cheap - contemplating a leather interior