Ok so i found a few in my area and one is running but the guy reccomends not to drive home and is def a project/parts car. im looking for a project car but im hesitant. The other one is 75 2002 30k on new engine. Needs a new head gasket. No compression in cylynders 2 and 3 due to that. My question is how hard is it to change that with say a beginner mechanics set i gotta 64 peice stanley mechanics set and i wanna try and do most/all mechanical work on it. Im gonna borrow my friends welder for the rust/body repair. It also has shock tower rust. Im familiar with workin on these cars as a 75 2002 was our shop car for 2 years and i've done engine and alot of rust repair/body work on it. So im trying to get a point on this being my first bmw/project car. My teachers first car was a 2002 and he has done full e30 m3 innterior swap, e30 s14 swap/tranny, bilsteins, and 16in sport rims. Its a freakin sweet 2k2. He wouldnt trade it for the world he had it since he was in highschool. That kinda got me to wanting to get one.

If it has shock tower rust, i would probably stay away. That usually means the car is pretty rough.

As for the head gasket, its kinda tough, since it is an overhead cam motor. You need to make sure that you get the car timed perfect once you finish.

Where are you in NY? Im in east hampton and me and my bro are currently workin on a '75.

If youv have the means, try and get a california '76 2002. Because of the new smog laws (rolling exemption stopped after 75 model year) many good 76 model cars are being sold off dheap. Aside from there try and stay away from cars with rust on the shock towers and trunk, both are common places for an '02 and will cost you dearly to fix.

I would stay far away from a car that has shock tower rust. It is best to be very patient when looking for one of these cars. The best thing to do is to go look and drive as many as you can and you will learn what the perfect car would for you would be. As for the head gasket it is quite simple but make sure you check if the head is warped or you will pop another gasket.

im on long island about a 40min trip from the hamptons i can get there in 20-25 if need be....haha jp but seriously i can