Posts Tagged ‘german’

Poor Man’s BMW #2 – 1975 BMW 2002 Automatic

September 25, 2013

Much has been written about the BMW 2002, calling it an icon, a cult classic, and lavishing praise on its handling and light weight. Predictably, many of these cars succumbed to attrition when their owners probed the limits of the handling, and many more to structural rust. In 1975, their 9th year of production, the 2002 had sprouted giant bumpers, a thermal reactor, and retarded timing to comply with new emissions regulations. However, they are also said to be better built and handling, and this 1975 BMW 2002 Automatic is available for $2995 in San Jose, CA.

1975 BMW 2002 automatic left front

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Poor Man’s BMW #1 – 1977 BMW 320i

September 24, 2013

By the mid-1970s, BMW sorely needed a replacement for its aging 2002. By 1977, when its replacement came around, it was 11 years old – can you imagine any passenger car model lasting that long nowadays? Its replacement was the E21 320i, which had big shoes to fill, coming with the 2002’s 2-liter M10 engine. The engine itself was equipped with K-Jetronic fuel injection for cleaner emissions and a 10hp bump, but this was offset by an extra 400 lb. of weight. This and more insulation took away some of the feel of connection to the road, and the 320i got mixed reviews in the press. However, buyers still cited performance as one of their main reasons for purchasing the car – you can have your own taste of this somewhat forgotten 2002 successor with this 1977 BMW 320i, available for $1950 in Milpitas, CA (although possibly in northern Nevada, according to the listing text).

1977 BMW 320i right rear

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East Coast vs. West Coast – Pair of 1985 Mercedes 190E 2.3 5-speeds

September 21, 2013

With BMW M3s going skywards in value, I’ve been fantasizing about picking up a similar car while they’re still at the bottom of their depreciation curve. Unfortunately a good, sorted BMW M5 or Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth will still set you back $15-20,000, possibly more for a stellar example. Sooo, what to do on a baby budget? Pick up a version of the first baby Benz, that’s what – and it might be a surprise that these little cars were available with 5-speed manual transmissions when they came out. Check out the first choice, a pale yellow 1985 190E 2.3 for $2000 in Durham, NC.

1985 Mercedes 190E 2.3 right front

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