Brian McCarthy's 1976 2002

• Model: 2002
• Year: 1976
• Miles: 170,000 to 350,000 miles

There’s an explanation for the mileage variation. It all depends on which part of the car you’re asking about. The car started life as an automatic. I bought it at 90,000 miles, with water in the oil and steam coming out of the exhaust. I converted the car to a standard 4 speed, and used the engine from my previous 2002. (I’ll donate the automatic gearbox to a loving home – know of one?).

The car has been worked on extensively. It now has a 5 speed gearbox, and a different differential (the ’76 model used a 3.94:1 ratio, I prefer the earlier years 3:64:1 The “longer legs” are nicer for I5 travel). It has a 2002ti (one i) clutch and pressure plate. (This provides a larger friction area). The flywheel was lightened, and made a big difference. The brakes have been upgraded to 320i brakes all around, including the master cylinder. The ventilated rotors greatly reduced the brake overheating problems caused by aggressive braking. The radiator is the 320i version - overheating and Water Wetter are things of the past. The springs have been changed, lowering the car. Stiffer anti-sway bars (Suspension Techniques, 19mm & 22mm) reduced the wheel-in-the-air during tight turns. This is my third engine, and includes a Metric Mechanic camshaft, overbored cylinders, ported, higher pressure oil pump, oil baffle in sump, and other goodies.

I added an oxygen sensor to the exhaust down pipe. This has been tremendously helpful in understanding the fuel mixture at various rpms and loads. I added an oil pressure gauge, and two hookup points. One is before the oil filter, the other is at the back of the head. There’s a 10-15 psi drop across the filter and the engine.

Lots of other changes have been made over the years, such as an aftermarket driver’s seat, Recaro passenger seat from a 320i, Micro Dynamics electronic ignition, Weber 32/36 DGAV carb, Ansa exhaust, ’73 exhaust manifold (no air injectors to impede air flow), polyurethane suspension bushings, Hella headlights, front air dam, etc. A friend and I painted the car several years ago, and headed off potentially terminal rust in the roof caused by the sunroof.

In the photo, you’ll notice the front of the car is “round taillight” vintage. This was before federal standards requiring 5mph bumpers, and side reflectors on the front fenders. The rear is “square taillight vintage” with side reflectors and 5mph bumper.

The photo is courtesy of Brad Anderson. He’s a photographer who worked turn 5 at a club event in August 2001. Visit his site – he’s got some great pictures of BMWs and other marques at: http://members.rennlist.com/photowerks/bmw_gallery.html

Brad really liked the way the car and I were handling turn 5A, and the picture does a good job of capturing the dynamics of sliding thru the turn. You can tell the car is sliding by projecting where the car would go if it weren’t sliding – right over the FIA curbing.

I’m active in the club’s driving events, and would be glad to share my 2002 experiences with you at the next club event. Or call me at home @ (206) 364-1922 or by e-mail at fastb@bigfoot.com. I recently bought an M3, so ask for me by name at the track (don’t just look for my 2002).