donch@teklabs.UUCP (Don Chitwood) (11/23/85)
Ken, My wife has a '74 2002 and I have a '72 (square taillites and round, respectively.) Each has over 120,000 miles on it. The '74 has had a few problems: a corrosion-induced oil-water manifold leak in the head, witness the oil in the radiator but no water in oil; differential lunched itself at approx. 110,000 miles-- average cost of new one was about $600--was delighted to find one for $400 new; pollution control system always degrades engine response and performance--appropriate measures give nice results, while still allowing passage of local State emissions tests. The '72 is a more tired car overall-- lots of slop in the driveline and high oil consumption <500 mi/qt. However, of the two, we call it old reliable. The '74 feels tighter, especially in handling. This may not be a fair comparison because the '74 is set up with sport sway bars, sport springs and shocks, whereas the '72 is stock except for sport sway bars. We take the '74 to the local racetrack (Portland International Raceway) when the local BMW club has a driving school. The sport set-up makes the car handle really nicely under track conditions. The '72 was bought from the original owner in l982 for about $4500. I have a letter from a local dealer saying he could sell it for over $5000. (That was for the benefit of my loan officer.) Once I had the car in hand, I was amazed that it would sell for so much since there were numerous things wrong with it--alternator support was almost entirely worn through; smog pump bracket had broken and was in process of pounding hole in oil sump; high-g left turns produced clouds of blue smoke and massive pinging. The body, however, was in very good condition as was the interior. That is what sells. Overall, prices for parts are real steep. Joining a local and/or national club can be extremely beneficial for prices and getting help and advice. Somewhere between the 72 and 74, the car gained weight, probably by Federal safety decree, and went from a 1-barrel carb to a 2 barrel. I like the cars, even though I believe they are quite overpriced for what you get. Don Chitwood Imaging Research Labs Tektronix, Inc.