BMW 2002 and 2002tii Information

The BMW 2002tii was the high performance, fuel injected, limited edition of BMW's 2002 car model line. It was a two door sports sedan based on the four door BMW 1500/1600 that came out in 1961. Above: A clean 1973 BMW 2002tii The BMW 2002 series is important in the history of BMW for several reasons, none the least of which it brought the company out of near bankruptcy in the 1950s and put BMW as a marque on the map in the United States. It was the ancestoral grandfather to the BMW 3 Series and was produced from 1968 to 1976. BMW's 2002 Series is credited for inventing the category for compact sporting sedans, a category widely popular now through models from various German, Japanese and American makes of small 2-door sedans with high performance engines, suspensions and aggressive sports cars like features. ] The 2002tii is considered by many to be the most desirable '02 produced by BMW and imported to the United States. Compared to a standard 2002, a tii offers greater performance and overall value. Thus, a 2002tii is usually worth more, and therefore, more highly touted. Since the last U.S. tiis were made in 1974, finding one in good shape, without owner modifications has grown increasingly difficult. This is especially true considering the tii's mechanical uniqueness and cost of some of those unique parts. Furthermore, since the 2002 is a "tinkerer's car," many owners have upgraded their regular 2002s with tii hardware, to increase their performance. Likewise, tii owners sometimes strip their cars of original tii items such as the Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection system, in favor of cheaper (but not necessarily better) carburetors. These two factors can cause some confusion for a prospective tii buyer. Engine:4 Cylinder Valve linkage:SOHC, 2 valve/cylinder Displacement: 1990 cm³ Power: 130 hp (97 kW) at 5800 rpm Torque: 130 ft.lbf (176 Nm) at 4500 rpm Gearbox: 4 speed manual Weight: 2225 lb (1010 kg) Top speed: 118 mph (190 km/h) 0-60 mph: 9.8 s Differences between the 2002tii and other 2002 models 1972-1973 US 2002tii VINs begin with 276 1974 US 2002tii VINs begin with 278 Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection alternator mounted down low, under battery oil return line in block for injection pump, feed line in oil filter head larger brake booster 23 mm master cylinder larger 10.08 in (256 mm) diameter front brakes, larger calipers/pads larger front hubs and spindles boxed rear semi-trailing arms interior clock 2002tii emblem on rear body panel ] VIN information The vin is found on the metal plate under the hood, on top of the inner fender, behind the upper shock mount on the right side. It is in plain view, and should be easy to spot. On this plate, it will identify the car as a 2002 TII for 1972-73 cars. 1974 cars share the same identification plate as the standard 2002, so the plate will read 2002/2002tii USA. The VIN is the long number which is stamped into that plate. For 1972-1973 U.S. tiis, the VIN will begin with 276, running from 2760001 (the first '72) to 2764522 (the last '73). 1974 tii's begin with 278, running from 2780001 to 2782929. This number should match the number stamped into the flange on the right front wheel housing itself, next to the fender, behind the hood lock bar, as well as the number stamped into the metal plate on top of the steering column. If the car still has its original engine block, the engine number on the block, above the starter mounting flange, will match the VIN. ] Engine compartment visuals If you're specifically looking for a tii model, and prefer one in original condition, it behooves you to try and purchase a car with this system intact and functioning. The Kugelfischer injection system is what makes the tii special and gives it it's combination of midrange torque and top end power (of course, the higher compression helps here too). The lower front aluminum engine timing cover and alternator mounting location are different from a normal 2002, as well. tiis also have an extra fitting on the intake side of the engine block for an injection pump oil return line as well as an extra fitting on the oil filter head for the injection pump oil feed line. Finally, an original E12 2002tii cylinder head (late '72-'74 cars) will have no fuel pump mounting holes on it for a standard 2002 mechanical fuel pump. 121/121TI head equipped '72 tiis will have the mounting holes, but with the center pushrod hole plugged. The fuel pump mounting holes are used to mount the intake plenum on '72 cars. Brakes The first clue to this may also be found in the engine compartment. Under the hood, the tii has a larger diameter (23 mm vs. 20 mm) master cylinder, and a larger (actually longer) brake booster. The dimensions of this larger booster are: 6 inches (152 mm) length and 7 inches (178 mm) diameter. Under the car, the tii has larger front brake discs, which measure 10.08 inches (256 mm) in diameter vs. 9.45 in (240 mm) for the standard 2002. These are accompanied by larger calipers and pads, as well as larger hubs and spindles. The rear drums are the same size as a normal '02, but the wheel cylinders are larger (17 mm vs. 15 mm). In the rear, the trailing arms of tii are boxed, for increased stiffness (instead of the standard C-section). Clock Inside the car, a clock should be present. It is located on the left most end of the parcel tray. Trunk emblem On the rear of the car, above the right taillight, is the 2002tii emblem or badge. For those that are really sharp, and this only works on original '72-'73 tiis, the wheels are 1/2 in (13 mm) wider, and all of this width is added onto the outside of the wheel, resulting in wheel covers that appear to be set in further.