INFO GUIDE: 1971 - 1975 BMW 02 Series 2002 Tii Coupe

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This identification guide / buyers guide has been drafted for people who are interested in the BMW 2002 Tii. The Tii (which stands for “Touring International Injection) represents one of the most desirable cars in the 2002 or “new class” range, and demand a price premium above standard 2002 coupe models. It is therefore important that those looking at purchasing or restoring these cars have a good understanding of the individual characteristics that make a BMW Tii original. Please note that this guide has been produced for the Tii Coupe, however, much of the criteria for identification of an original car is similar for the Touring edition car.

This guide provides an outline of the exterior features, interior features, mechanical features and of course the important chassis and engine number designations for the original BMW 2002 Tii. This information can always be added to, and we would sincerely appreciate enthusiasts sharing their knowledge so that this guide can be made as complete and accurate as possible. To contribute, either contact us with the button above, or comment on this page below.

Number Produced: 44,478 (including Touring models).

Period of Manufacture: 1971 - 1975

Please note, this is intended to be a guide only, and should not be relied upon. We recommend you obtain professional advice before purchasing any vehicle with respect to accurate identification.


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1. External Features - BMW 2002 Tii Coupe
2eflts2.jpg Click to enlarge
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The BMW 2002 Tii had the following external features which make a good starting point for identification:

Bumper bars:

  • U.S. models had bumpers extended slightly outward from the standard Euro bumpers in 1972 (See image labelled “US 1972 Bumpers”).
  • In 1974, the U.S. market cars had large impact bumpers installed to meet local regulations. (See image labelled “US 1974 Bumpers”).
  • European and other market models maintained the standard bumper size. (See image labelled “Euro bumpers”).

 

Tail lights:

  • Pre-1974 cars had circular tail lights.
  • 1974 onward cars had a design update with rectangular tail lights.

 

Front grille:

  • Pre-1974 cars had aluminium surrounds / bezels around the lights and grille.
  • Post 1974 cars had black plastic with no metal finishes on the front grille other than the central two piece BMW grille.

 

Badging:

  • “2002 Tii” emblem on rear body panel (positioned to the lower left of the RHS tail light on pre-1974 cars, and above the RHS tail light on cars from 1974 onward).

 

Wheels and tyres:

  • 1972 - 1973 Tii’s had standard 5” X 13” steel wheels (1/2 inch wider than the standard 2002). As the width is added to the outside edge of the wheel, standard hubcaps sit visibly deeper in the wheel dish when compared to a standard 2002. (See labelled image “Original steel wheels and caps”).
  • 1974 – 1975 Tii’s had styled 5” X 13” steel rims, with exposed lug nuts and a small BMW center cap, identical to the rims supplied on every other 74 - 76 2002 (see labelled image “Styled steel rims”).
  • Several alloy wheel combinations were available as dealer options for the Tii. See the images labelled “Alloy option wheel”.
2. Interior Features - BMW 2002 Tii Coupe
1971 BMW 2002 Tii interior.jpg Click to enlarge
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The BMW 2002 Tii had the following interior features, which differ slightly depending on the year of manufacture. Note, these features are not necessarily different to those on the standard BMW 2002, however, this explanation will at least give you an idea whether the car is in its original state. Please see the labelled images for better descriptions.

  • Pre-1974 cars came with a 3 pod instrument cluster with silver rings around each pod, on a black background. The indicator stalk was located on the RHS of the steering column on these cars.
  • From 1974, the interior was upgraded with newer style vinyl upholstery (such as fewer pleats in the vinyl seating) and an slightly updated dash / instrument cluster with fake wood grain surround / background. The turn signal stalk was also moved to the left of the steering column in this upgrade.
  • A separate clock integrated in the dash should be present on all year models (on the left most end of the parcel tray in LHD cars, and the opposite side for RHD obviously).
  • In 1975, seats are slightly redesigned, similar to those used on the BMW 320i.
  • Large 3 spoke steering wheel with un badged center boss (as pictured). Note, many cars have aftermarket smaller sports steering wheels installed.
3. Paint Colours / Codes - BMW 2002 Tii Coupe
BMW 2002 Codes and colours.png Click to enlarge
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The original paint applied to a 2002 Tii can be found on the black sticker, which sits next to the chassis plate on the RHS inner guard. Of course, given the age of these cars now, it is not guarantees that this sticker will be sitting there anymore, and other than having papers / documentation for the car dating back to the purchase, we are not aware of any other way of confirming the original colour.

Unfortunately it has been extremely difficult to identify a difinitive list of specific Tii colours available from the factory. Instead, we have listed the colours available on all 2002's, which would certainly cover the colours and codes available on the Tii.

If anyone has information on the colours available specifically for the Tii, please dont hesitate to contact us by email, or comment below. We have included image examples of several paint colours on the Tii including Colorado, Golf, Mintgrun, Schwarz, Verona, Granada, Chaminox and Atlantikblau, but as you will appreciate, it is diffucult to have an image of all of them.

4.Chassis Number / VIN - BMW 2002 Tii Coupe
Tii engine bay.JPG Click to enlarge
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  • Chassis number prefix:

The chassis number on a BMW 2002 Tii will depend on the market where it was sold, as well as its date of manufacture. The markets and timeframes with the relevant chassis number prefix ranges are outlined below:

1. US Market:

April 1971 – August 1973 cars: From 2760001 – 2764522

September 1973 – December 1974 cars: From 2780001 – 2782929

 

2. Europe and other markets LHD:

April 1971 – August 1973 cars: From 2700001 – 2720114

August 1973 – June 1975 cars: From 2730001 – 2737460

 

3. Europe and other markets RHD:

April 1971 – August 1973 cars: From 2750001 – 2752447

August 1973 – June 1975 cars: From 2770001 – 2771233​

 

  • Chassis number locations:

The chassis number is located in 4 positions on the car:

  1. Stamped on the chassis plate under the bonnet, which sits on top of the inner mudguard (behind the upper shock mount on the right hand side).
  2. Stamped into the RHS inner fender, at the rear top surface (see images). It is just behind the hood lock bar.
  3. Stamped into the metal plate riveted on top of the steering column.
  4. Assuming the car still has its original engine block, the engine number is stamped into the block, as outlined in the next section of this guide.
5. Engine Number - BMW 2002 Tii Coupe
2002 Tii BMW 2 engine.jpg Click to enlarge
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The engine number on a BMW 2002 Tii is located on a flat edge of the engine block, just above where the starter motor mounts. See the attached images which better indicate this location.

In a similar way to Fords, BMW also stamped the chassis number on the engine block, allowing you to easily confirm whether or not the engine is in fact the original one with the car. If you’ve verified that the numbers match and already confirmed that you have a Tii chassis number, then all is well and you have a very original car. But if the car has a replacement engine in it, then the least you can hope for is that the correct type of engine was installed, with the correct Tii chassis number within the ranges outlined under the previous section named “4. Chassis Number”.

1. Mechanical Features - BMW 2002 Tii Coupe

The BMW 2002 Tii had the following mechanical features, which may differ slightly depending on the year of manufacture. We have attempted to explain these as best as possible with accompanying images where necessary.

  • SOHC 8 valve 1990cc engine.
  • 4 speed manual gearbox.
  • Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection.
  • Higher compression (9.0:1 vs. 8.5:1 on standard 2002).
  • Larger intake valves (46mm vs.44mm on standard 2002).
  • Larger brakes (larger front rotors/calipers/pads (256mm or 10.8" diameter), larger rear drum wheel cylinders (17.46mm or 11/16" diameter), and larger master cylinder diameter  (23mm vs. 20mm on standard 2002), and larger / longer brake booster (6" length and 7" diameter).
  • Stronger suspension components including strengthened control arms, spindles and hubs.
  • Larger hubs – (see images for differences).
  • Larger spindles (larger in diameter with caliper bolt holes further apart than the standard 2002 - see images).
  • Boxed rear trailing arms.
  • 1/2 inch wider wheels (5” X 13” vs 4 ½” X 13” on standard 2002).
  • In 1974 The Tii's fuel delivery curve was modified, a vacuum retard mechanism is added to the distributor, and a deceleration control valve is added.
  • In 1975, the engine was strangled with full emission controls. The thermal reactor, air pump, EGR and lower compression are all features of this car.
  • Alternator mounted down low (below battery).
  • Oil return line in engine block for injection pump, with a feed line in the oil filter head.
  • Larger diameter exhaust manifold (see comparison image with standard manifold).
  • On a standard 2002 car, the dust cap for the suspension strut is flat at the end where it sticks through the wheel. The Tii version is rounded and larger (3.5" vs 3").