There is a 1976 2002 that will be in a public auction here in great falls today. The car is 85% immaculate! A true beauty. It has some tiny rust bubbles (1 inch around) on the lower corners. The question I have is, what would be your max bid on a car you know nothing about? the engine fires up instantly, but......the oil gauge shows no pressure. http://www.nwbmwforums.com/images/smiles/hum.gif Let's just go ahead and assume the engine has no oil pressure, not that the gauge is inop. So, that probably means engine replacement. What would you spend on a beautiful 2002 that might need a motor? How much would it cost to replace the 4cyl in a 2002?

sans engine & true condition data, - should go cheap.

you can just get a running "junkyard" type motor for cheap.......fully rebuild "crate" motors for around 3-4k.....

the only issue for my on this car would be 1976 that would make it subject to smog laws.....and have aquare tailights....

Smog compliance FTL.....and IMHO....square tail lights FTL

other than that just pay as little as possible.....500-$1000 sounds good

^ only CA has the f'ed up smog laws, usually. IMO squares aren't that bad in the back with the right overall car look. like visionauts car is sexy. IMO.

If you suspect the motor to be replaced, why worry about the 76 being smogged. The motor you put in will not be smogged.

Squaries are not that bad. I’m new to the 02 scene and love the oldies but have come to love the one I’m with. (74 Tii)

Is it an 02 or a Tii??? The least of your worries is a new motor. If it is a rock solid car than buy it. If you stand a chance
to get it cheap as, the motor
is blown or weak than buy it. From what I have read is 76 is the worst because of the emissions but I don’t live in Cali so we
don’t worry about smog. De-smog it & get back some of the horse power that was intended for it.

You will know if it is a good buy or not. As far as price, I don’t know what an 02 or Tii demands in your area but, get it as cheap as
you can and use the lack of oil pressure as a bargaining tool....
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x265/penth2o123/1974%20BMW%202002Tii/100_2949-1.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x265/penth2o123/1974%20BMW%202002Tii/000_1684-1.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x265/penth2o123/1974%20BMW%202002Tii/100_3186-1.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x265/penth2o123/1974%20BMW%202002Tii/resizeLarge.jpg

The car had a private owner. And he apparently had a 4500 reserve. Nobody, including myself was willing to fork out that much $ for it. I can't believe he put it in a public auction. People were all over the car like a vulture on a dead rabbit. They were jumping in it, starting it up, revving the hell out of it, etc. I would've just put it in the paper.

Oh, and I'm sorry don't have pictures. But thanks for the usefull advice.