Can you still get lots of parts for 2002 tii & BMW 3.0 CS (E9) & should I buy one?

When I was in high school, I always wanted a 2002 tii. You could find used 2002 that were not that expensive. This was right about when the 320i came out. Locally, there is a very nice older car retailer with a silver 3.0CS with a manual for $79K. This is a lot of money but it is close to mint and is a manual. The alternative is trying to find a very nice 2002 tii for $40k or less.

It seems like most of them are in Cali and the 2002tii usually do not have A/C.

Came across these sites which still sell 2000tii parts:

https://www.iemotorsport.com/product-category/2002-parts/

https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/2002tii/

https://www.2002parts.com/

Many 2002tiis have A/C - I have a '74 with the Behr set-up. All A/C units were installed at the port. Most earlier models have Clardy or Frigiking versions.

Mechanical parts for each are still available, and body parts have recently been reproduced by MVP Vintage parts. Interior bits & pieces are the most difficult to source. As you can imagine, you want to find the best one you can afford - prices have gone nuts over the past 20+ years (not to the extent that Porsches have though), but 2002 prices are a bit soft currently.

The best 2002 resource is https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/forum/8-bmw-2002-and-other-02/

If you want to learn more about these cars, so you’re an educated buyer, knowing what features/options/colors were available on each year/model of 2002, again like John said above, the 2002 FAQ can’t be beat…

Review some of the Technical Articles > History & Reference section…
https://www.bmw2002faq.com/articles/technical-articles/history-and-reference/
https://www.bmw2002faq.com/models/

FWIW, FAQ also has a 2002 classifieds section.


And if you want to get a feel for parts availability, for 2002s or a e9 look here. If it’s available they likely have it. There’s a bunch of US shops that also carry them - but few with that breadth/depth/inventory, so it’s good spot to get a feel for what’s available as OE replacement parts.

https://www.wallothnesch.com/en/partfinder/index/index/catalog_number/6/

A lot of 02 parts are still available from BMW and BMW parts suppliers. There’s also a healthy performance parts aftermarket.

Happy hunting!

I'd buy based on the driving experience you want. The 2002 tii is a fantastic lightweight classic, while the 3.0 CS is more of a grand tourer with timeless styling.

Have you ever driven either of these models? Or cars of that decade in general in last few years?

Not to be a downer but sometimes the dream is better than reality. I always recommend people to test drive or ride in a vintage car even if they had one back in the day. The mature perspective can be different than a young person's one...

They are great as toys for a few hours of use occasionally or an occasional road trip. For the time and money to keep them, you really have to love them. We had a 79 635csi and a 74 Bavaria, both modded, that we have sold, and still have a 75 2002 that I completely stripped a few years ago to do a street restoration that has stalled out until I decide to put the time, energy and money into it. Maybe I will get back to it this year….

Any thoughts on the driving experience of your former cars?

I like to "warn" people interested in older cars of how "different" they can be to newer cars. Acceleration, braking, and handling can be quite a new experience.

I might start asking "do you use your flip phone or VIC 20 for the functionality of them? Maybe build an outhouse for that vintage experience?"... lol

You can see I have a 1955 English sports car so speaking from experience... lol

pbonsalb wrote

They are great as toys for a few hours of use occasionally or an occasional road trip. For the time and money to keep them, you really have to love them. We had a 79 635csi and a 74 Bavaria, both modded, that we have sold, and still have a 75 2002 that I completely stripped a few years ago to do a street restoration that has stalled out until I decide to put the time, energy and money into it. Maybe I will get back to it this year….

I maintained them well so everything worked, line power windows, sunroof, AC, etc. and I modified them so they stopped better, accelerated faster, and handled better. That made them a lot better in modern driving. We just ended up having other priorities than maintains old cars and the Bavaria was rusting underneath. We had a barn full of spare parts accumulated over years so we did not have to chase many parts, which are harder and harder to find. The 2002 is much simpler and there are more spares available. I just have to decide whether to rebuild and turbo the M10 and run aftermarket fuel injection or swap in another BMW motor or non BMW motor. I have the Getrag 245 already for a 5 speed conversion. Will also have to figure out suspension and brake mods and find an AC system.

The 02 network is 2002faq.com great site most people are very helpful.

VSR in NH and SCR in CT are excellent 02 shops.

https://www.facebook.com/sportscarrestoration/ https://www.facebook.com/VintageSportsRestoration/

E9's are beautiful but they have a serious cancer gene and rust like insane.

I DIY so no need for shops but VSR is nearby and does have a good reputation. They can restore a 2002 for $50-75k. 2002.faq is good.