I owned a 1972 2002 Tii for four years. It was, in it's day, an absolute joy.
I had such fond memories of the car that about five years ago I set out to find another one of my very own.
From hundreds of ads and phone calls, I test drove probably 25 cars of various nick and price points, from unmolested 2002/2002Tii's to modified cars. As you might expect, the modified cars ran the gamut from professionally done German porn to Frankenmutts.
I put an offer on three. I was outbid on one, late to the party on another (I mistakenly decided to "sleep on it" for the night while others in search of 2002's did not) and the third car spectacularly failed the PPI...a very sad story that frankly put an end to my quest. Prices have risen since I was actively looking.
My impressions over 35 years after selling my first 2002?
The cool factor remains what it was when I first saw one. It is, to my sensibilities, a beautiful automobile that has aged sublimely.
The interior is as I remembered it, spacious and functional: I can still remember where I put my Pioneer Supertuner radio and cassette player.
Reality collides with memory in performance and handling. Yes, they drive well and are still a hoot to toss around but they are no longer "Whispering Bombs" compared to even modest cars today and the four speed transmission is awful.
What I began to really covet was a modified 2002 with a 320i engine and drive train with no exterior mods at all, no rust, etc. I looked at a few in person and did put an offer on one...the seller simply wanted more than I was willing to spend.
I decided on another make and model of car over three years ago, which continues to be a great experience.
However, I still want a 2002. I have shifted my focus to finding a 2002 in need of manageable work (rust is the great enemy of these cars) that I will then convert to the car I want. I am in the homework phase of trying to get pricing for the various bits, what I can do myself and what I'll need to farm out to get the performance and creature comforts I want wrapped inside the style I still find so appealing.
In the end, something like this:
http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-bmw-2002-6/