A 1971 BMW 2002 ti, a desirable performance version of the venerated 2002, was never imported into the US. So it’s extremely rare to see one on our shores. But eBay has a gorgeous example for sale with a $32,500 Buy-It-Now price.
There were many upgrades from the standard 2002, with additions including higher compression and twin Solex 40 carbs. The standard car with one carb had 101 horsepower. But this 2002 ti bumps up the power to a zippy 119 HP. It also adds a host of performance goodies to complement the extra power.
It’s as lovely a 2002 example as you’re going to find. There are just 44,911 miles on the odometer, and it looks good from every angle.
Limited-Edition Special
These 2002 ti cars were never numerous, no matter where you were in the world. BMW produced only 16,448 of them between 1969 and 1971. The 2002 ti could reach 62 mph in 9.3 seconds, which was good for the time. The top speed was 115 mph.
In terms of rarity, this 1971 ti (sometimes noted as “2002 Ti”) is up there with the mechanically fuel-injected 2002 tii cars that first appeared in 1971. When you see the letter “i” doubled up, it means the car uses fuel injection.
There were also turbo, touring, convertible, and targa variants. BMW built nearly 400,000 2002s of all types.
The 2002 ti boasts a Getrag five-speed “dog leg” manual transmission. It’s called a dog leg transmission because first gear is located down and to the left on the traditional H shift pattern. That allows for faster shifts between second and third gears while driving some urgency.
In addition, the ti features bigger front brakes and more robust wheel bearings, fully-boxed trailing arms, and a limited-slip short-nose differential. These features above and beyond the standard 2002 make the car a delight for driving enthusiasts.
BMW sold the 2002 ti in Canada, and this one found its first owner in British Columbia. The owner doesn’t say anything about a restoration, so the pretty Agave green over pristine tan vinyl is presumably original.
At some point, the original Solex carburetors were replaced with side-draft Webers. The five-speed in this BMW 2002 ti is either original or a later addition. The setup probably makes for relaxed highway cruising.
The car has a sliding color-matched cloth sunroof, giving a bit of open-air comfort for cruising. This is a marvelously clean example of what is perhaps the original sports sedan. While the seller makes no claims of original paint, the photos don’t show the telltale signs of overspray. It looks quite good inside and out.
This BMW 2002 ti Is Ready To Roll
Recent work includes a full service, rear brake work, a new transmission mount, clutch master cylinder, and fuel filler neck. So it should be ready to go.
Although this is a 50-year-old car, the upgraded engine and five-speed transmission should make for a fun drive. If the next owner wants to enter it in classic rallies, it’s undoubtedly eligible for many of them.
The lucky thing here is that many parts are identical to those on the much more common 2002, and even the BMW 1600 shares many features with these early round-taillight cars.
Fun fact: The later fuel-injected BMW 2002 tii was imported to the US. That car had mechanical upgrades and was fitted with Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection. However, that early fuel injection setup could be challenging to keep working correctly. So many an owner would fit Solex or Weber carbs instead, just like we see in this unusual and extraordinary 2002 ti for sale on eBay.
