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Welcome to BMW 2002 FAQ
BMW 2002 FAQ has been the go-to resource for all your BMW 2002 and Neue Klasse car needs for over 20 years. Founded in 2002, this site quickly became the primary resource for vintage BMW owners. Today, it boasts over one million forum posts, 300 blogs, and 200 articles covering everything from news and events to technical instructions. The site has a gallery with over 6,000 images, a wheel database, a growing video collection, and 17 location-specific clubs. With a full calendar of BMW 2002 and Neue Klass events and an ever-increasing registry, the BMW 2002 FAQ is the place for any BMW enthusiast.
Although a small group of individuals runs the FAQ, its members provide most of the content. Members are the greatest asset of the BMW 2002 FAQ, and their contributions make it what it is today. Whether you're a seasoned BMW 2002 owner or just starting, BMW 2002 FAQ has everything you need to keep your vintage BMW in top shape. With its wealth of resources and active community, BMW 2002 FAQ is the ultimate destination for anyone looking for information on BMW 2002 and Neue Klasse cars.
Access this wealth of knowledge, connect with other passionate BMW 2002 owners, and gain the opportunity to learn more about your car! Don't wait.
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BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan
Unveiling of the Neue Klasse Unveiled in 1961, BMW 1500 sedan was a revolutionary concept at the outset of the '60s. No tail fins or chrome fountains. Instead, what you got was understated and elegant, in a modern sense, exciting to drive as nearly any sports car, and yet still comfortable for four. The elegant little sedan was an instant sensation. In the 1500, BMW not only found the long-term solution to its dire business straits but, more importantly, created an entirely new
History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series
In 1966, BMW was practically unknown in the US unless you were a touring motorcycle enthusiast or had seen an Isetta given away on a quiz show. BMW’s sales in the US that year were just 1253 cars. Then BMW 1600-2 came to America’s shores, tripling US sales to 4564 the following year, boosted by favorable articles in the Buff Books. Car and Driver called it “the best $2500 sedan anywhere.” Road & Track’s road test was equally enthusiastic. Then, BMW took a cue from American manufacturers,
The BMW 2002 Production Run
BMW 02 series are like the original Volkswagen Beetles in one way (besides both being German classic cars)—throughout their long production, they all essentially look alike—at least to the uninitiated: small, boxy, rear-wheel drive, two-door sedan. Aficionados know better. Not only were there three other body styles—none, unfortunately, exported to the US—but there were some significant visual and mechanical changes over their eleven-year production run. I’ve extracted t -
Upcoming Events
Los Gatos Neue Klasse and Kaffee
05/18/2024, 11:00 AM 02:00 PM
Neue Klasse and Kaffee is a monthly gathering of BMW Neue Klasse andother Vintage Cars in the GreaterSan Francisco Bay Area. Los Gatosevents are on the third Saturday of every month. All fun cars and people are welcome! We will gatherdowntown Los Gatos in Parking Lot3 behind Loma Coffee Bar. We believe the Coffee Bar will be open. If it is not, 2002FAQ will provide coffee and Doughnuts. 2002 FAQ will be on-site from 8am to 11:00am http://neueklasseundkaffee.com https://www.facebook.c
Los Gatos Neue Klasse and Kaffee
06/15/2024, 11:00 AM 02:00 PM
Neue Klasse and Kaffee is a monthly gathering of BMW Neue Klasse andother Vintage Cars in the GreaterSan Francisco Bay Area. Los Gatosevents are on the third Saturday of every month. All fun cars and people are welcome! We will gatherdowntown Los Gatos in Parking Lot3 behind Loma Coffee Bar. We believe the Coffee Bar will be open. If it is not, 2002FAQ will provide coffee and Doughnuts. 2002 FAQ will be on-site from 8am to 11:00am http://neueklasseundkaffee.com https://www.facebook.c
Los Gatos Neue Klasse and Kaffee
07/20/2024, 11:00 AM 02:00 PM
Neue Klasse and Kaffee is a monthly gathering of BMW Neue Klasse andother Vintage Cars in the GreaterSan Francisco Bay Area. Los Gatosevents are on the third Saturday of every month. All fun cars and people are welcome! We will gatherdowntown Los Gatos in Parking Lot3 behind Loma Coffee Bar. We believe the Coffee Bar will be open. If it is not, 2002FAQ will provide coffee and Doughnuts. 2002 FAQ will be on-site from 8am to 11:00am http://neueklasseundkaffee.com https://www.facebook.c
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Latest Discussions
On to sorting the suspension
Brakes are done.. now on to sorting the suspension. PO installed what appears to be a set of H&R SuperSport springs with urethane upper and lower spacers in the front and urethane upper (no lower) spacers in the rear. Looks killer and rides surprisingly well… in a straight line. Trying to turn generally results in grinding the tires against the front flares. In addition the steering is VERY heavy. I have a pair of upper strut bearings I will be installing next weekend (current dess
Question about rear bumpers
I've got a '72 with the bumper that wraps around the side. I prefer the early style though. Is it possible to swap the corner pieces or do I need to source a full bumper?
E12 vs E21 2.0 heads
My 76 has an E12 head but came with a E21 2.0 as a spare. It's currently running a Weber 32/36, otherwise stock, as far as I know. Which head is better or what benefits do they each have? TIA!
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Technical Articles
Headliner Installation
How to Install a Headliner in a BMW 2002 *All the typical warnings apply. Be careful. Don't cut your fingers off. Read the labels on all tools and chemicals and try not to maim yourself. If your 2002 is in need of a headliner, a professional shop can do the job for $500-1000. I've heard of people bringing their stripped car in with the parts in hand and only paying $100, but I haven't yet found that shop. So, the following is a guide to install a headliner in your 2002 in your garage. It's
Fitting new reFittingar quarter window seals
I really struggled installing these seals, they are a real barsteward to fit and there are a few tricks that are not immediately obvious. So, I have decided to share "my" method, it may differ from your method, but it works, so please if you've done it a different way, that's fine, so long as it works for you. Firstly tools I used: Nylon hammer Razor blade Plastic trim tool set (Ebay - less than $2) Sharpie pen Hole punch tool
BMW 02 Series Rear Panel Badging
A History of BMW 02 Series Rear Panel Badging, Including Changes and Placement of Numbers, Letters, Script, Badges, Roundels, and Emblems for the Rear Panels of 1502, 1600-2, 1602, 1800, 1802, & 2002 BMW Sedans, & Touring Cars 1600, 2000, 2000tii, 1800, 1802, 2002, 2002tii, along with Baur Cabriolets and Other 02 Variants, 1966-77 Abstract The authors researched the design and placement of rear panel (tail panel) identification letters and
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Latest From The Hack Mechanic
Freeing Stuck Rear Brake Adjusters
One of my least favorite jobs on a 2002 is adjusting the rear brake shoes in order to lessen the brake pedal travel. In principle, it's easy—you just pull off the rear wheels, take a 17mm open-end wrench, put it on each of the two adjusting nuts on the backing plate behind each brake drum, rotate the drum, turn the adjuster until you can hear and feel the shoe rubbing against the drum, back the adjuster off a tiny bit, do the other adjuster, then move to the other side and do the same on the oth
Front Strut Replacement The Hack Mechanic Way
Front Strut Replacement Overview Okay. It's time to replace your front struts. Maybe you're doing it as part of a shocks-and-struts job. Maybe you're updating the entire suspension—shocks and struts, springs, and sway bars. Maybe you're doing a full front end refresh including ball joints, tie rods, center track link, and idler bushings. Maybe you're doing an undercarriage refresh and are sandblasting and repainting the subframe and strut housings at the same time. W
Chillin' Louie: To Coldly Blow (Part IX: Firing it up, buttoning it up)
Okay, with the compressor and bracket, condenser and fan, evaporator assembly, receiver-drier, hoses, and wiring installed, it was time to fire it up, then button it up. Similarly, with the project itself complete, it's time to button up this series of articles. As such, this is a long piece that touches on a number of topics. Leak detection There's a whole chapter in my a/c book devoted to leak detection, and specifically to the use of nitrogen or other dry inert gas to
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Latest Blogs
Chasing Leaks and Tuning Idle
Well, one good thing about getting the motor running, it does provide some quick feedback on if you have any leaks. After going through the mis-adventure of the leaking heater core, (turned out to be just the hose clamp to the heater core on the driver's side), I did identify 3 leaks while running the motor. I had an oil leak at the oil filter housing, a coolant leak at the thermostat and a transmission leak at the back of the transmission (output shaft seal, shift selector seal, or both). Tw
Towing it home...
I recently acquired a 69 2002 with an unusual history. This car was converted to electric in the 90s and slowly updated through the 2000's and 2010's until I bought it with a DC Brushed motor, Lithium Phosphate battery and controller capable of 100+kw. The acquisition of the car was a bit of a project, and I made it more of one by getting married in Vegas on the trip from Illinois to LA. The trip also gave me an opportunity to meet the builder of the car and underst
New Shoes
I finally pulled the trigger on a new set of wheels & tires. The Borbet's that have been on the car for years were supposed to be temporary, but as priorities shifted they stuck around. I never really liked them, and they definitely do not fit the style of a 2002.. Yesterday I found some 14x6 Mahle BBS RA119's with tires (185/60/r14) on Facebook market place and jumped on the deal. They were missing the center caps but I've got some on the way. (Thanks @butteiful) I c
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Latest Images
