1975 BMW 2002

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: oil pooling under valve cover and front timing cover, rattling on cold starts that quiets after warmup, oil pressure drop at idle, oil consumption between changes

Fix: Valve cover gasket is easy (1 hour), but timing chain, guides, and front seal is 6-8 hours with special tools. Often discover cam wear or oil pump issues once you're in there. Many shops recommend full timing set replacement rather than chain alone.

Estimated cost: $800-1,800

Symptoms: overheating in traffic or on hills, coolant puddling under engine, cracked plastic thermostat housing, weeping from water pump weep hole, corroded original brass radiators

Fix: 50-year-old cooling parts are end-of-life. Water pump is 2-3 hours, radiator 3-4 hours (core support removal on some). Thermostat housing cracks are common on originals; aluminum replacements available. Budget for hoses, clamps, and coolant flush at same time.

Estimated cost: $600-1,400

Typical onset: varies—often original 50-year-old rubber

Symptoms: clunking on shifts or throttle transitions, excessive driveline vibration, shifter feels vague or sloppy, visible tears or voids in rubber mounts

Fix: Trans mount is 1.5-2 hours, differential mounts (subframe bushings) add another 2-3 hours. Often done as a set because access overlaps. Poly replacements available but transmit more NVH. OEM-style rubber preferred for street cars.

Estimated cost: $400-900

Symptoms: rough idle or stalling when warm, hesitation off idle, hard starting when hot, whistling or hissing from intake area, erratic idle speed

Fix: Intake boot cracks are endemic—rubber hardens and splits. Replace all intake and vacuum hoses as a set (2 hours). Carb rebuild kits available but tuning requires experience; many owners convert to Weber sidedraft (4-6 hours plus parts). Expect 2-3 iterations to dial in.

Estimated cost: $300-800 for hoses and carb service; $1,200-2,000 for Weber swap

Symptoms: visible perforation in rockers or battery tray, soft or crunchy metal around strut towers, floor mat always wet, sagging rear suspension pickup points, trunk floor rust-through

Fix: Rust repair is labor-intensive metalwork—shock tower rot requires cutting and welding new metal, 12-20 hours per side. Rockers and floors are patch-panel territory. Surface rust is manageable; structural rot makes the car uneconomical unless you're committed. Pre-purchase inspection critical.

Estimated cost: $3,000-8,000 depending on extent

Symptoms: misfires at high RPM, stumbling under load, no-start after sitting, weak spark, points burning quickly

Fix: Original points distributors need servicing every 10-12k miles. Worn distributor shaft bushings cause timing scatter. Most owners convert to Pertronix or 123ignition electronic setups (1.5-2 hours install). Coil and plug wires should be replaced as preventive—originals are 50 years old.

Estimated cost: $250-600

Typical onset: 100,000+ mi or original bushings

Symptoms: clunking over bumps from rear, tail-happy handling or rear steer feel, visible cracking in subframe mounts, differential movement under load

Fix: Subframe drops out for bushing replacement—4-5 hours labor. Often combined with diff mount work. Inspect trailing arm bushings and half-shaft flex discs while you're there. Poly bushings popular but increase harshness.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200