I have heard of a 2002 for sale and I plan on looking at it Wednesday evening. They guy said he started but did not complete a 5-speed swap. Was there a newer transmission from the 80's that was commonly bolted into those engines? Are certain parts of the body prone to corrosion?
Mark K
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The last production year for the 2002 destined for the USA was 1976. I've read of restorers bolting on the successor model's (320i) 5-speed tranny successfully. The major culprit of any car this old is rust. In 2002's it occurs particularly around the front and rear shock towers. If the car was owned or driven in the snow belt, or anywhere the roads were salted during winter, be very cautious and wary. Inspect these are really carefully.
BMW's worldwide reputation for excellence was, in a large part, based on the 1600 and 2002 models. (Ever wonder why BMW's world headquarters in Munich is comprised of 4 cylindrically-shaped towers?) These are LEGENDARY machines. Good luck, these cars are worth keeping around.