1972 BMW 2002TII

Symptoms: Hard starting when cold or hot, Severe hesitation or stumbling under acceleration, Sudden lean condition and loss of power, Fuel weeping from pump body or lines

Fix: The Kugelfischer injection pump is precision German engineering from the '70s—parts are scarce and specialists rare. Rebuild kits exist but require experienced hands (8-12 hours labor). Many owners convert to Weber carbs (6-8 hours) as a pragmatic solution. Injector rebuilds add another 4-6 hours if needed.

Estimated cost: $2,500-5,000

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Rod knock on cold start that quiets slightly when warm, Low oil pressure at idle (under 10 psi hot), Metallic ticking that increases with RPM, Metal shavings in oil filter

Fix: The M10 is tough but not immortal—poor maintenance history or overheating kills bearings. Proper fix is engine-out rebuild: rod bearings, mains, freeze plugs, timing chain, seals (30-40 hours labor for full rebuild). Short-block swap saves some time if you find a good core. Budget for machine work (bore/hone, crank grind).

Estimated cost: $4,000-7,500

Typical onset: varies—age-related

Symptoms: Excessive shifter vibration in all gears, Clunking on throttle lift or hard acceleration, Transmission tail visibly sagging, Difficulty engaging gears smoothly

Fix: Rubber mounts turn to dust after decades. Trans mount replacement is straightforward (2-3 hours), but often coincides with worn guibo (flex disc) and center support bearing—do them all together. Getrag 232 gearbox itself is robust but leaks from tail seal are typical (add 3-4 hours for trans drop and reseal).

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Symptoms: Sudden coolant loss with no visible external leak, Overheating in traffic or on hills, Cracked radiator neck or split hoses, Heater core bypassed by previous owner

Fix: Every rubber hose, the radiator, water pump, and thermostat are likely original or 30+ years old. A cooling system failure can warp the head (add $800-1,200 for resurfacing). Smart play is preventive replacement of all components before you're stranded (6-8 hours labor for comprehensive overhaul including flush and bleed).

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000

Symptoms: Visible rust perforation in front shock towers, Soft or crumbling floor pans under carpet, Bubbling paint along rocker panels, Alignment problems that won't correct (shock tower shift)

Fix: This is the chassis killer for 2002s, especially Northeast/Midwest cars. Shock tower rust compromises suspension geometry and crash safety. Proper repair requires cutting out rot and welding in new metal or replacement panels (20-40 hours depending on extent). Floor pans and rockers similar. Surface rust is manageable; structural rust is a project-ender for most budgets.

Estimated cost: $3,000-10,000

Symptoms: Intermittent gauge failures (tach, fuel, temp), Lights dimming or flickering at idle, No-start conditions that resolve after wiggling wires, Instruments working only when they feel like it

Fix: The simple wiring is actually an asset, but 50 years of corrosion in grounds (chassis, engine block, firewall) and the ceramic fuse box causes chaos. Methodical cleaning and dielectric greasing of all grounds (4-6 hours), plus fuse box replacement or refurbishment, solves 90% of issues. Alternator brushes wear out too (2 hours R&R and rebuild).

Estimated cost: $400-900