It is remarkable that a sedan that first saw the light of day 48 years ago is more desired than it was at launch and despite having dozens of beautiful siblings, it is always the one that identifies the brand.

The beautifully-balanced BMW 2002 was one of the New Class range that first started in 1962 and instantly identified BMW as a major force in quality small cars.

It was styled by Giovanni Michelotti who also drew the Triumph Stag and 2500, Alpine A110, Lancia Aurelia B50 and B52. There was also the Reliant Scimitar that was launched in 1976, four years after Michelotti’s death.

Today, the 2002 sits on the mantle of motoring legends. It was responsible for bringing young families into the BMW showroom and for providing the springboard for a new line of sporty sedans and the emergence of the M sub-brand of performance cars.

The 2002 was developed directly from the New Class 1600 two-door version. Engineers recognised the potential for the two-door as a driver’s car and promptly slotted in one of BMW’s more potent 2.0-litre engines. It created a model that is noted now for its engaging performance — and its escalating resale value.

The car featured here is a 1974 in the cherished Golf Yellow paint. It is regarded as BMW’s second-most desirable 2002 – the first was BMW’s first turbocharged car, the 2002 Turbo – and drew a lot of attention while it was under review for this website, with onlookers eager to stop and have a chat and one even offering cash for a sale.

The 2002 tii – 2.0-litre, 2-door, high-performance “ti” version with an extra “i” for the addition of fuel injection built from 1971 to 1975 — lifted output to 96kW from the “ti” at 89kW. It put it up against rivals including the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Triumph Dolomite Sprint, Alfa Romeo GT Veloce and Ford Cortina Lotus.

The tii sits on the same platform as the 2000 sedan but the wheelbase is shortened by 230mm. Because it is aimed at the sports-oriented market, handling was improved to go with extra power. That started with the 2002 ti to which BMW added stiffer springs, bigger front and rear anti-roll bars, wider wheels and tyres, and bigger front disc rotors although drum brakes were retailed at the rear.
The ratios of the four-speed gearbox are closer, starting with a taller first gear, and then a heavy-duty clutch was added along with a tall axle ratio, up to 3.45:1 from 3.64:1.
Aside from the Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection, the engine changes over the standard 2.0-litre engine are bigger exhaust valves and a higher compression ratio.
Despite its obvious target market, the word sporty isn’t the first that springs to mind when behind the large steering wheel and a modest dashboard. There is not much of a departure from the 2000-series’ family-car origins and so follows the thread of many of its rivals.

However, this initial impression changes when the ignition key is twisted. The engine – pushing out the same 96kW/178Nm as a Ford Focus of 2005 – idles smoothly with a purposeful burble.

Though less lumpy than the 89kW ti that has two carburettors, the mechanical fuel injection of the tii is inherently less flexible and less able to meet emission controls over a wide rev range than an electronic fuel injection (EFI) system.

So why didn’t BMW opt for EFI? The main reason is because it had experience with the mechanical system in its sports-sedan racing series so it was both race-track proven and its technicians knew its foibles and how to repair any problems.

That aside, the tii is an enthusiastic drive. There is linear performance from idle up to about 4000rpm when there’s a noticeable second-wind kick.

Throughout its rev band, it boasts excellent torque. Third gear pulls very strong and has enough flexibility to feel perfectly happy in slow-to-medium traffic. Fourth gear, by contrast, seems a bit low and gives the driver the impression there is another gear to come.

Most of the low-gear impression when cruising is caused by the intruding engine noise because the engine revs are not excessive. At 80km/h it will hum at a sensible and relatively fuel efficient 2500rpm.

The gear ratios may seem well suited but the gear change is less impressive. It has a long, vague shift through a wide gate, much of which can be attributed to the age of the test car that may have softened the sharpness of the linkages and selectors.

That could have been one reason why lead singer of US band Green Day – the band that belted out the school graduation anthem “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Billie Joe Armstrong caused 2002 enthusiasts to cringe when he swapped out the manual gearbox in his tii for an automatic transmission.

At low speed the steering can be a bit heavy despite the large-diameter steering wheel and slow steering ratio. From about 40km/h and upwards, the steering improves to become balanced and though still needing lots of turns, shows competent handling and sure-footed grip.

The 2002 tii is also very comfortable with a supple ride in seats that have a lot of similarity to lounge armchairs. The most appreciated feature is that from the cabin, there is an almost 360-degree view thanks to the delicate roof pillars — similar to the BMW 3.0CSi — giving a sense is that you’re in an open-top convertible. This makes parking spectacularly easy. Well, except for the low-ratio, heavy steering feel.

There’s a lot of features that shows its age and heritage but there’s also a lot in common with modern BMWs, particularly the current 3-Series. In size and intent, however, the 2002 tii is closer to the latest 235i or M2 coupe.

The 2002 tii featured here has had only three owners with the first owning it for 10 years and the second for the same period. In 1993 it underwent a restoration by UK BMW specialists Jaymic.

That renovation lasted three years and cost more than $40,000 and included repainting in the original colour, new leather upholstery and every mechanical component replaced or built. The owner then thought it too good to drive so it was put in storage until 2013 when it was recommissioned.

The current owner said the car has only ever stopped once. In the first drive since purchase in the UK, he was driving through Europe when it unexpectedly stopped near Frankfurt.

The culprit was found to be the alternator. A German policeman stopped and promptly organised a tow truck. Fortunately the tow-truck driver spoke perfect English and booked the owner into a hotel and the car into a repair centre.

An alternator was sourced from BMW Classic – which stocks parts for almost all cars made by BMW – but there was none available so the mechanic sent the part to its original manufacturer, Bosch, who repaired it immediately. The owner said: “The car hasn’t missed a beat since.”

SPEC SHEET

Make: BMW
Model: 2002 tii
Model code: E20
Year: 1974
Price new ($A): $7575

Engine: 2.0-litre inline 4-cyl
Valves: SOHC, 8-valve
Bore/stroke: 89 mm x 80 mm
Comp. ratio: 10:1
Aspiration: normal
Power: 96 kW @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 178 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-weight: 94.48 kW/tonne
Fuel: Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection
Fuel tank: 46 litres
Fuel thirst: 10 litres/100 km
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Drive: Rear
0-100km/h: 9.4 sec
Top speed: 193 km/h

Dimensions:
Length: 4229 mm
Width: 1562 mm
Height: 1410 mm
Wheelbase: 2502 mm
Track (ft/rr): 1348 mm/1348 mm
Weight: 990 kg

Chassis:
Suspension (ft): independent, lower wishbones, coils; (rr): ind., semi-trailing arms, coils
Brakes: (ft/rr): disc/drum
Steering: Rack & pinion
Wheels: 13-inch, steel
Tyres: 165/80/13