This page is reprints of the BMW Car Club (GB) Ltd articles that I have written, they are a month behind, if you want to join the Register & BMW Car Club go to my page "Join the Register". Enjoy;

"Chairman’s Chats":

August 2007

Ikea are only using a 2002 in Inka for there web site, don't laugh it's also pulling a caravan. "Robert" you need a tow-bar, click on http://www.ikea.com/ms/de_DE/rooms_ideas/summer/index.html 

Alan Woods is setting up a UK "Northern 02" meet anyone interested please drop Alan a line at    alanwood20@hotmail.com for more details.

The Historic race series meet at Brands Hatch was superb, please catch the report in this magazine, but we will certainly be back there next year for this fantastic May Bank Holiday.

I have had an abandoned RRL Inka Tii in my driveway at the moment, the neighbours think I running a scrap yard, anyway it's soon to be mobilised by John Hudson (some of you will remember John as our own "Mobile Tradition" who came with us to Bavaria in 2006), what John doesn't know about these cars isn't worth knowing. So I look forward to seeing "Off" my drive soon and I am sure the Wife won't mind either (Te he).

Those lucky enough to get to Goodwood for the Festival Of Speed will hopefully have seen Alex in the awesome AC Schnitzer Group 5 genuine Turbocharged 02. I hope to feature this car very soon, and as a Car of the Month on my site. On that note make sure you check out the June COTM.

Lets see you all at Gaydon on the 5th August for our main event, no excuses this time and maybe we'll sort out that Run we've been promising you.

Parkerperformance sell superb radio mounts and dial panels with original VDO gauges for 02's, I have just got the basic radio mount and it's very well made, check them out at www.parkerperformance.com

The Dutch 02 weekend scheduled for the 22/23rd September, hopefully we'll be going out Friday from Harwich to Hook of Holland and the plan is to return Sunday this year. For more info either drop my an email richstern@hotmail.com or check out the Dutch 02 web site for details at www.bmw02club.nl

July 2007

If you want to help out or organise any events in your area let me know. If you want to submit any 02 articles, not only can we get them in the club magazine but gladly add them to my site. I always want more “COTM’s” (Car of the Month) check out July’s 02 Panel Van, just when you thought you’d seen it all. Next year a 02 Run in Ireland is being drafted and a possibility of an 02 run to the Classic Le Mans in June. Watch this space.

The BMW EPC (Electronic Parts Catalogue) is now on the Web, from what I can see every BMW is listed – this is very useful as previous versions you had to have the application, but now anyone can view it online: http://bmwfans.info/original/

Alex Elliott took his genuine Group 5 Rodenstock 02 to Goodwood currently running approx 300 Bhp with the Schnitzer twin-camshaft cylinder head but without the Turbocharger at present. More on this awesome 02 soon.

On Keith Kreeger’s site is the all-important how to upgrade your wipers to intermittent wipe with superb pictures and all the part numbers you’ll ever need: http://www.my2002tii.com/wiper_how-to.htm

June 2007

Turbo Owners this month:
So what is a Turbocharger?

A turbocharger is basically a device that uses exhaust gasses produced by the engine to blow air back into the engine. The additional air is supplemented with fuel. This causes the engine to produce much more power since it is being supplied with more air and fuel than it possibly could without it. A naturally aspirated engine (non-turbo, standard engine), or "N/A" engine, has to "suck" air through the intake manifolds, throttle body, air filter, etc. With this setup, the most air pressure that can enter the combustion chamber of the engine is a bit less than the current atmospheric pressure. With the turbo, air is being blown into the chamber with positive pressure so that much more air and fuel can enter. A typical turbocharged engine will generate between 7 to 10 psi of maximum positive pressure, or "boost". The turbocharger, or "turbo", is mounted directly to the exhaust manifold, where exhaust gasses pass over a turbine impeller that is attached to a short shaft. On the other side of this shaft is a compressor turbine, which pulls outside air in through the air filter and blows it into the intake manifold. So basically, the energy from the expelled exhaust gasses, which would normally be wasted on a N/A engine, is being used to pump air back into the engine.

The shaft is supported by a bearing housing that is lubricated and cooled by an oil line from the engine. Since engine exhaust has such high temperatures, the exhaust side of the turbo can reach thousands of degrees F. This is why it is so critical that the engine oil be changed religiously, because old oil can burn and leave deposits in oil lines and housings, called "coke". Coking can be virtually eliminated by using a synthetic oil and changing it frequently (every 6,000 miles). Some turbos feature an additional passage for a coolant line, to keep the bearing housing cool. This did little to keep temperatures down while running, but it had a huge effect after the engine was shut off. Without the coolant passage, the oil would drain when the engine was shut off and the turbo bearing housing would reach incredibly high temperatures from the heat transferring out of the exhaust manifold. This took its toll on the life of the bearings. The presence of the water keeps the housing cool.

When the engine has been idling or at low speed for a while, the turbo is not spinning or is spinning very slowly because there is very little exhaust leaving the engine. When the throttle is opened, the engine produces more exhaust, which spins the turbo faster. A faster spinning turbo means more air and fuel is being blown into the engine, therefore even more exhaust is being produced, which makes the turbo spin even faster and so on. This cycle is known as turbo "spool-up", which feels like a sudden surge in engine power and appears on your boost gauge as a sudden increase in pressure. The time before the surge, when the turbo is spooling up but the engine doesn't have much power yet, is called turbo lag. A large turbocharger can produce more air flow and pressure, but will have more lag because of its increased size. A small turbo charger will have a smaller amount of lag, but will not be able to move as much air.

May 2007

Obituary: It is with sad news that I report that Jeff Sewell has passed away. Up until recently the former founder and owner for decades of Sewell BMW at Bishops Stortford. Jeff only just sold-up to Elms and was retiring, Jeff still regularly drove his E3 2500 and his 2002 Touring. Our thoughts are with Jeff’s wife and family at this time.

Tii owners take note, if your electric fuel pump has become faulty a new replacement pump is available from BMW for just under £300. However, all is not lost, the Bosch fuel pump fitted to a 535i can easily be converted. Basically all you need to do is change the wiring connectors from spade type to eyelets, and the new Bosch pump part number 16.14.1.179.232 is available from Euro Car Parts for £72 + vat. For full details check out Keith Kreeger’s superb USA Tii site; www.my2002tii.com while you are at it it’s advisable to also replace all the fuel hoses and jubilee clips. The hose that goes through the boot from the fuel tank to the pump is very tight, you will need to make sure the aperture is clear and lubricate well to get the hose through, from the boot to the underneath of the car. It’s also easier with the petrol tank out of the car if you can remove it. Also check out http://www.thetiiregister.com as the site now has a download of Tii Electrical diagrams and Mobile Traditions 1700 page parts catalogue the file is nearly 80Mb so will take sometime to download.

A new book about 2002’s has just come out the “BMW 2002 Ultimate Portfolio 1968-1976”, It features most of the old Autocar and Motor road tests, but now also incorporates colour articles and new 2002 features, a worthy addition to any 02 enthusiasts library. Brooklands Books are offering a special 'post free' offer to Club members - UK postage is normally £2.00 check out www.brooklands-books.com ISBN 13:978-1-8552-07370

Jan 2007:

"Miles Matters" a one owner car recently surfaced with a documented mileage of 6000 miles. Although not mint, finding any 02 of this provenance is very rare, the car was auctioned on Ebay and went for an eye-popping £9100. But think about it for a minute, that is a fantastic find.

Good Tii's are grossly under priced and have been for many years. How can the equivalent Ford Escort (RS2000) be worth more? The Tii is better built, better 'badge' and better on all performance figures. Mint Tii's should be around the £10k mark, but as you know often go for half of that. Yes you can find them for around the £6-7K mark but you do have to strike quickly as good Tii's are rare. Restoring one (as we all know) can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

Good 02's are worth paying that little bit extra, but rarely surface and when they do you need to strike quickly or pay over the book price to get one.

Cabrio's prices never seem to move much and can range from dodgy basket cases (more than normal 02's) for a few grand to top of the scale - Barbara Frak's concours car currently for sale at £15k approx.

Touring's fetch about £1000 less than the same condition saloon - a very desired taste, bargains still to be had with these, if you can live with that weird rear. Very practical though, even by today's standards.

Alpina's certainly there was only a handful made for the UK and properly even less survive today. Beware of cars claiming to be Alpina's as there was never any documented proof of this, days before Alpina kept records. Really you'll properly be buying a tweaked 02 with some Alpina goodies, so it might be worth a little more than a standard car for the parts alone. If buying one from the continent be very careful as lots of pretenders, again do your homework and make sure that you are happy paying for what could be a copy. If it has paperwork and can be proved (like Martyn Edwards A4S) then obviously this will appeal to the conosuier like Martyn and myself.

Right on to Turbo's; Firstly in the recent "Classic Cars" magazine Jaymic (the workshop) were quoted that you could get a Turbo for £10k. This really frustrates me - and I've good mind to test them to actually find me one for anywhere near that. Secondly "you" will have trouble finding a Turbo now regardless of the price, there are less than 500 on the German Turbo Register in the World. This has had a big impact on the price, recently Chassis No.2 (1 of the 2 official press cars) was on www.Mobile.de for €50K, even if it didn't sell for that price it's sky's the limit on that one. There's usually a few on some specialist European sites for around the €25K, Lauren Manders of www.mandersautogas.nl sometimes has one, but the American's keep snapping them up quickly.

Yes do not even think about buying an Ebay restoration without being either a Lottery winner or capable car restorer, buy the very best (beg, borrow, steel the money) you can, that way you'll get the enjoyment, the great driving pleasure and more smiles-per-mile.

This years events are already hotting up, especially with the Dutch 02 weekend in Lelystad followed on the Thursday by the 45th Club Europa celebrations.

Dec 2006:

Happy Xmas and a Happy 02ing New Year. I hope to see you all in the new season, hopefully, starting with Ally Pally in March, but don’t let that stop you getting your 02 out over the Winter months, and meeting up locally with other 02er’s to discuss your cars.
Donington Bimmerfest was thoroughly enjoyable, although numbers were significantly down in the recent years when the Drivers Club run the event – we had a thoroughly enjoyable day. 8 02’s made up the 02 Register’s and I’d like to personally thank all the members that displayed their lovely cars;
Paul/John Hill – Neu Klasse 2000 Saloon.
Mike Smailes – Rally 2002.
Alan Woods – 2002 Tii Cabrio.
Matthew Budgen’s – 1602. Second best in show.
Ian McAuley’s – 2002 Cabio.
Les Burns – 2002 Tii.
Mike Hooper’s – 2002 Tii.
David Bennett – 2002 Tii.

We also discussed getting more “Northern” 02er’s together, so we are trying to arrange regular meets to get more interest from any 02 enthusiasts “North of Watford” (where that invisible wall is for us southern softies), that way ensuring more “Northern” members get involved with the 02 Register more. If you are interested in doing more with your 02 “up North” let me know – richstern@hotmail.com more soon either in the magazine and on the 02 Register’s web site. But the icing on the cake for me was not only did Matthew Budgen’s gorgeous 1602 win best 02, he also won Second Best of Show. I was chuffed too. So well done to Matthew and his superb unrestored 02, hopefully you will see this original car at major events next year. A final word on Les Burns great looking Red “RRL” Tii nearing completion and restored in Les’s conservatory, I hope to see a lot more of this car too.

Nov 2006:

A set of original 02 mud flaps recently sold on Ebay for a whopping $455, and if that made your eyes water an Alpina A4 Butterfly throttle injection system made a mouth watering £1759.57 “OUCH”. So get searching those sheds garages you could be sitting on a gold mine going by these prices. If you haven’t already seen October’s Car of the Month you’re missing a real treat – Clive Massel from South Africa with this awesome Alpina works replica, the attention to detail is amazing and the car regularly competes in the historic race series in South Africa.

Oct 2006:

Still lots of events left in this historical year, so let’s see you all out there enjoying your classics. We had a good turn out at Gaydon (see separate feature) and I hope to put on a good display at Donington in October too. We are already discussing more runs with our cars making a pleasant change from the usual static displays, so anyone interested or wants to discuss some ideas please get in contact myself. The Web site www.bmw2002.co.uk is now fully up and running again with latest news, new technical information (including Mega squirting your 02) and links, also if you want to feature your car as a “Car of the Month” or have parts to sell drop me a line at richstern@hotmail.com also all the latest events, and cars for sale can be found there. Some dodgy old cars have been turning up on Ebay recently so beware, always inspect them before bidding or alternatively try and find a more reliable source like an owners club to buy one from. On another note I have just found a Turbo in Italy with a mere 6000 kms on it, in Silver for only €30,000 plus there are two for sale on my site including a rally Turbo for sale, Keep 02ing.

Nearly 30 02’s put on a superb display of 02’s, the only model missing was the Turbo of course. Paul Hill brought along his freshly restored 2002 Touring “sport rally pack” (more soon on this lovely car) and his stunning Neu Klasse 2000 black saloon (also a future feature car) there was another Neu Klasse saloon car also for sale, we’ve never had one let alone two turn up – incidentally the 02 Register does include the Neu Klasse cars and Glass cars so anyone out there with an unusual classic BMW please contact me. Chris Dann brought his wide arched heavily modified Tii, Barbara Frak had her concours Inka Cabrio in all it’s glory (for sale – see my web site), other extremes were Liz Moody-Smith in her “brought the previous day” 2002 full-filing her lifetime dream, and all the regulars who I’d like to personally thank for your continued support. I hitched a lift with Robert Lamprell in his borrowed 1973 Inka Tii from Cooks Ferry (0208 804 2002 also for sale) as his 2002 has brake issues, the Tii has been restored using the “best” parts they had available – I suppose England’s answer to Mobile Tradition!
We ran our “Best of Class” competition well done to all the winners;
Best 1502/1602: Russell Crawford VPO 514K
Best 2002: John Paulding FLJ 711L
Best Tii: Peter Armstrong HVP 92N
Best Cabrio: Alan Woods ALZ 2002
Best Touring: Paul Hill EUD 404K

I’d like the thank Jaymic for sponsoring the prizes.

Sept 2006:

A lot of top cars are suddenly changing hands at the moment, you only have to look on the web site or Ebay to know what I mean, very strange that in our 40th year people are having to part with their prized possessions. I can only think it’s the economic climate is playing a major part with this. Both Jaymic’s famous Tii’s are also now backup for sale for a lot less than you could build one for.
The Dutch 02 Weekend scheduled for the 2/3rd September is now all arranged full details in English can be found at www.bmw02club.nl basically the Saturday is the track and concours day at Lelystad with trade stands, then evening buffet and party into the early hours, and Sunday is a cruise on a boat with lunch. The Dutch are great people and very friendly I’d even go to say they are more enthusiastic about 02’s than any other nation, plenty for the children to do as well at their events, so don’t miss it.

Jaymic now have new round water bottles in stock contact them for details; www.jaymic.com or 01263 768768.

Eibach discontinued selling springs for the 2002 under their brand about 6 months ago.
However, 2002 Haus in California (http://www.2002haus.com) just picked them up as the exclusive supplier and they have several pallets of them.

Aug 2006:

02’s in the Movies; check out this fantastic database with images of the 02’s in the movie; http://www.imcdb.org/vehicles.php?make=BMW&model=2002
Any day now the web site should be sorted, however, in the meantime you can use the back-up site; www.freewebs.com/bmw2002turbo Our next big event is the National Festival at Gaydon on the 20th August, we have centre stage so please make an effort. I will be going on the Saturday to set-up and then have a few beers with other club members that evening ready for an early start on Sunday. Bring your parts to sell, we will also be running our “Best of Class” competition (sorry no National concours entrants allowed) sponsored by Jaymic and bring your parts to sell. A big thank you must go to Allan Bussell for all his hard work on the Bavaria Tour – Allan did the translations into English on the original information, and arranged a fantastic stop off in Reims at a Louis Roederer Champagne cellars. You should find the article on the Bavaria Tour in this edition, you’ll properly have to now wait another 10 years for the next one now, if it’s ever going to be held, or we aren’t driven off the roads and blamed for the World’s global warming. I have recently written a “Complete History of the 02-Series” it should be serialized in the next few magazines – enjoy. I am trying to get more people involved with the Register, recently I discussed with Touring fanatic Paul Hill that would he be prepared to do a piece on the Touring’s, Paul’s enthusiasm is legendary for these, so who’s better qualified? Paul has recently finished his Touring’s restoration with some nice little additions – I am not saying anything yet as I am sure it will be a future Car of the Month on the web site, plus possible feature in a magazine, I hope we’ll have something soon. Which leads me on to other things 02, if anyone wants to write a piece, do some research, arrange a run or rally please let me know. There’s a National event being held at Santa Pod on Saturday 23rd September, where all BMW’s are welcome, plus drag strip action for more info go to; http://www.bmwshow.co.uk/ the event will include Run What Ya Brung, Show Cars, Club Displays, Drifting displays, booking enquires call 01234 782828 more soon. We were discussing the possibility of a Lands End to John O’Groats Classic run next year, so watch this space.

Once again the AC Owners club has kindly invited us (incl CS’s, and Neu Klasse) to their Goodwood track day on the 4th November, spaces are limited so anyone interested please contact me at the first instance.

Classic Becker looks with a modern twist.
In-car radio specialists Becker have produced a ‘Classic’ Mexico radio that might look old-fashioned from the outside but is packed with modern hi-tech equipment. Behind the 1960s façade lies an ‘infotainment’ system that includes, navigation, telephone, radio and card reader.

The Becker Mexico has a high-quality look with its chrome bezel rings and fine horizontal lines set against piano black lacquer. The 13-colour display hiding behind the retro-look front shows all the required functions and when in ‘radio’ mode a bright red pointer indicates the station.

The working parts are carried over from the Becker ‘Cascade Pro’ model and as such include multi-language functions and a card reader that will take not only a telephone SIM card but also Compact Flash and SD cards for data and music files.