'76 BMW 2002 Daily Driver

[flintster55]

I think I passed you on 419 this morning. If so looks even better in person :thumbup:

[BLINGMW]

hopefully I wasn't picking my nose :oops:

I'm not aware of any others in town, there's a nice looking red one I've seen once or twice, and another (forgot color, maybe green) I haven't seen in over a year.

I do get some looks, it's kind of fun. Mostly from kids who are probably like WTF is that dad? Oh, just some poor idiot with no AC, you kids better not turn out like that. Turn around, don't make eye contact with him.

Oddest was yesterday when a big black bently or rolls or something, (I've seen him before, there can't be many around here) came up beside me on 581 and honked, was waving excitedly and giving me thumbs-up, I guess he liked it or used to have one or something. Or maybe I'm just a cool guy and he liked my hair. :dunno:

[flintster55]

I know Pete Via has a dark Rolls here in town so that might have been him. He's a huge car guy, but not the nicest by any means.

I almost honked at you but the Hella horns on the STi are a little loud for just getting somebody's attention. Seems like a perfect DD to me.

[Scott]

Oddest was yesterday when a big black bently or rolls or something, (I've seen him before, there can't be many around here) came up beside me on 581 and honked, was waving excitedly and giving me thumbs-up, I guess he liked it or used to have one or something. Or maybe I'm just a cool guy and he liked my hair. :dunno:

Could of also been Robert Bennett, he has a black Bentley. He owns all the Grand furniture stores. He has a huge car collection and puts on the Star City Motor Madness show every year

[BLINGMW]

So I figured a 3mo update was in order. There's not much to say, I've driven it to work every day and it's running just fine. Nathan and I have made a handful of post-daycare runs up Bent Mountain without too much drama, so hey, who cares if the right front strut is blown? I think it's ready for an autocross. :thumbup: As for my list:

Doors, locks, hinges and such lubed. All fluids changed. Doors less creaky. Cold shifting vastly improved. Steering still really heavy, I think some worn joints are making it worse than it should be, but it's all secure.

Dual XR4110 installed, I'm pretty happy with it, especially for the price. Turns out rear speakers need replacing.

Replacing all the gauges was more expensive to do right than I hoped. Gas gauge not working, others *ok* since cleaning / regrounding some points on the back on the cluster. Installed a SPA water temp / oil pressure gauge which I'm happy with. It's a little pricey, but appears well made and has a lot of user selectable options and alarm ranges.


Seatbelts are alright I guess, got some other ones for the rear to properly secure a car seat (stock ones don't ratchet and lock).

Bleeding brakes and adjusting the rears took care of the sketchy brakes.

Haven't touched the carb yet. Cleaned the nasty air filter.

Removed stock fan, installed slim 13" Spal electric fan. Found a wire left over from the removed A/C fan, easy! Despite its 920 CFM rating, the highest temp I saw in today's 100 deg heat was 185 in traffic. Since it's only ~8A, I just let it run all the time.


Exhaust leak ignored. Suspension ignored. Little rust spots ignored. Hopefully I'll look into that before winter as well as figuring out why the defrost fan isn't turning on.

That's it! :dunno:

[kcook]

::flame suit on:::

excuse my ignorance, but whats the crazy obsession with these cars? I've never looked twice at these cars.. not my cup of tea

[BLINGMW]

whats the crazy obsession with these cars? I've never looked twice at these cars.. not my cup of tea

Well like, compared to what? What is your cup of tea? I mean, if you're not a BMW guy and/or don't like old cars, then yeah, it's just a piece 'o crap! Compared to most anything made in the last 10 years, mini-vans and econoboxes included, it is inferior in every way. Well, every way expect for home-garage mechanic serviceability I guess. But I bet our Element could beat it in an autocross or drag race.
It does however deserve some bragging rights as being one of the first very successful small sports sedans and laying the groundwork for the, you know.... *somewhat* popular 3-series you may have heard of. From my old-BMW-fanboi standpoint it was just something to try. It's a very affordable, well supported vintage car with lots of parts and knowledge available, and it when I see the only other one in town I ever see, I can give a big goofy, enthusiastic wave and thumbs-up! :thumbup:

[kcook]

Im turning into a bmw guy Ive owned an e36 m3 already and I'll be getting another to fully prep for track once I sell the STi.

[Jake]

::flame suit on:::

excuse my ignorance, but whats the crazy obsession with these cars? I've never looked twice at these cars.. not my cup of tea

They were the first BMW to really "make it big" in the United States, which paved the way for the E21 and E30.

Having driven Channing's, I can say that they are very basic, pretty slow (although not terrifyingly so) and nowhere near a modern car in terms of refinement. Keep in mind, the 2002 was made before "BMW" equaled "luxury." That said, it's WAY better than a lot of other cars you could have bought in the mid-70s.

[Jeff]

So that gauge shows both readings? Is it back lit? How many $$$?

[Kaan]

they are PIMPTASTIC... but for the price of two digital gauges you only have to drill one hole or use up one slot.
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[Jeff]

Man the price is for ballers to. $320? Sheeeeit.

[HAULN-SS]

lol, but it has been "developed utilizing state of the art surface mount microprocessor technology."

[Kaan]

if you find a retailer you can get it for about $290

[BLINGMW]

lol, but it has been "developed utilizing state of the art surface mount microprocessor technology."

:lol: that's pretty bad. Way to go marketing dept!

if you find a retailer you can get it for about $290

or a little less if you used to work for one :wink: Still kinda expensive though. :dunno:

[Kaan]

you are going to have to hook a brother up

[Jeff]

It is baller. No doubt. Its just that I can almost get pro-touring rear leaf packs for that lootz. I think I will get some matching sunpro ghetto gauges to go with my tach for now.

[BLINGMW]

Coming up on a year of DDing this car; I really lucked out on the lack of winter. Especially since while I *bought* a reconditioned defrost fan, I've been too lazy to install it! :thumbup:

Just finished replacing the clutch master. It was slowly leaking... then faster... then I'm carrying around a bottle of brake fluid... well anyway, after I figured out it leaks INSIDE the car and fills up the pedal box and soaks your driver's side carpet, it was time. :| But if you ever catch me bragging about how old BMWs are made to be serviceable, remind me of this clutch master. They COULD have made it easy, and it's such a simple thing, but every fitting was designed to be as hard to reach as possible, takes two people to get it out or in (so Jess loves my car even MORE now!), and I thought at least once that I was going to have to throw in the towel and get it towed.

On the plus side, other than the clutch master, the only other thing that needed attention in year one was wheel bearings. I was smart enough to spend ~$300 a few months ago and let a shop do that. Repacked the fronts, new rears, good to go. :thumbup:

What I thought was a blown front strut was really just that the large gland nut that keeps the cartridge in place had come off, leaving the strut to flop around and chatter happily! Large wrench and a few minutes and it's good as "new".

[D_Eclipse9916]

I find it awesome that you daily this thing. Nice job on the updates.

[Evan]

since Channing seems to like older and more busted cars the older he gets (the opposite of the rest of us) I figured this would be his next BMW
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