drove some other cars yesterday...

[Stirling]

I have my Porsche 944 Turbo S up for sale and a fellow contacted me with an offer to trade his 1974 BMW 2002tii and 1974 Porsche 914 2.0 even for the Turbo S. I looked at some websites and decided that his offer was more than fair (Porsche 914's sure have jumped in price over the last few years. I remember when you could hardly give those away).

So we made the arrangements and I drove about 2 hours to check out his offerings.

I had long had a desire for a 2002, especially a tii and had high expectations. I had never had a desire for a 914 and had no expectations. I had never driven either model before.

The 914 was a really pleasant surprise. With the air-cooled 4 sitting right behind your ears, the astonishingly close pedal placement and the uber-spartan interior it is a trip back in time. But the 98HP was very quick and the handling was excellent. Why these cars were looked down upon in their day must have been about badge-snobbery because it was not about driving dynamics.

The 2002tii on the other hand was a letdown. Knowing a little bit about the hoopla that surrounded the arrival of the 2002 on American shores 40 years ago (from historical sources, I wasn't really paying attention at the time being less than 1 year old) I expected to be wowed by the little BMW. I guess having grown up driving mostly more modern cars spoiled me for the wonders of the tii. The driving position seemed unduly high, the handling underwhelming, the acceleration only satisfactory and the shifting pure spaghetti-stirring. On this last point I will cut this specimen some slack as it had been retro-fitted with a 5 speed from an E21 320i, but still a sad disappointment.

Has anyone else out there owned/driven a 2002? What are your thoughts? Was this car a dud, or has vehicle engineering catapulted us so far forward that even a prosaic modern day hatchback exceeds the classic 2002?
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Stirling

www.RollsRoyceForums.com

[koenig]

Fairly fair trade. Been awhile and it was a friends 2002, complete stock. Drove like what you said from memory. Owned a 914 1974 2.0 for awhile and also have had/have 911's. Currently have a 1990 black on black C4 with 89,000 miles. Had an 911SC and an S in the past. Under 1983 except for the original 930 turbo carrera. The 914 (not as good looking though) 2.0 is a better sports car. Has better handling, more stable on the highway in my opinion. Good reason 914's are a favorite for auto cross events. The same era normal 911's to 1983 don't have much more power and torque. They are also heavier cars, so the little more is not really a factor. Plus the mid engine in the 914 is more centered and makes it much better balanced. Think the 1979 to 1983 911SC's have 189HP or so under 200HP for sure. Having also had two 944Turbo's, think 914's are a lot like those cars. Often overlooked by people as not real Porsches. Well those people are not real sports car drivers.

BMW 2002 despite its short comings. Its kinda like the Volkswagen Ghia, the 914 was intended to replace that model. Despite not being very sporting--Ghia handles like crap and hairy brakes especially in the wet Vancouver climate, etcetera. Its just such a nice car to look at. I just want at least one.

[Stirling]

Well that's interesting what you say about the 914. I guess my opinion is going to have to change regarding the little car. Goes to show the mass of opinion isn't always right. Here are pics of the two cars. They really were in good shape.






And my Turbo S:




Maybe in the spring I'll be enticed again to trade it.
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Stirling

www.RollsRoyceForums.com

[koenig]

The Turbo S is slightly better over the 1987's 944 turbo that I had. Took the Japanese the last 20 years to make something as good! Still not a bad trade. 914's are like the 944 in they make perfect track auto cross cars.

[bentleyman22]

I would just keep the 44 I had a 202 and a 44 and would never have a BMW again
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Bentleyman22