After 30 years it’s not surprising to find out that only a handful of books exist for 2002 owners outside the BMW camp of knowledge. As they say, ” knowledge is a power” — so tune up your brain first, then you car by reading and learning 2002s through these publications. Experience has shown these books will save you both time and money in the long run. So… In our opinion, buy the 4 books below in this order 1-4. The other book not mentioned, which is perhaps the “ultimate 02 book” is the original 2 volume hard copy of the BMW 2002 factory shop manuals if you can find them in good condition. The CD-Rom versions are available but not as clear as the originals. 1. BMW ’02 Restoration Guide
(Amazon Link to buy)
Mike Macartney, owner and co-founder of Jaymic, the premier restoration shop for 2002’s in the UK, wrote this book as the follow on to book #3 below. There is some carry over content from that book that is history related, but 90% of this book is great content for any 2002 owner. The author sometimes stops short of the complete subject at hand, which is unfortunate, but sometimes intended. When you are in the restoration business, why give it all away? This book has more practical 2002 know how than existed prior to the internet. A must for anybody contemplating a mild to wild restoration. 2. Hayne’s Automotive Repair Manual – BMW 1602 and 2002
(Amazon Link to Buy)
The Haynes book is the cheap copy of the 2002 BMW Shop Manual. Many of it’s figures, photos and diagrams were lifted directly from the factory shop manual. Contains a lot of the “Queen’s English” terminology when referring to the car, as you would expect from authors in the UK. 3. BMW 2002: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic Sporting Saloon
(Amazon Link to Buy) This was Mike Macartney’s first book about 2002s. It’s a great one to keep in your car to show people what you mean when they start asking questions and referring to ’02 models you know don’t exist. 4. BMW 2002 Ultimate Portfolio 1968-1976
(Amazon Link to Buy) This is Bentley Books’ reprint of many of the press, factory brochures and auto trade information about the ’02 family of cars. Great for looking at the reviews when the cars were new by the great authors of the time.
SEE ALSO – (Books to search for …)
Out of print The CLYMER book BMW Service Repair Handbook, is long out of print. You may find it at a swap meet or used book store. The diagrams and photos are very clear, and is a smaller sized version of the Haynes without a lot of fuss. Much of what is here was written prior to the 2002tii model, so there isn’t much in the way of fuel injection, but is a wealth of knowledge, even on side draft Solex PHH40s, for the carb owners. There is also an interesting section on hi-performance modifications and discusses the equipment available of the day for that type of modification. I find this book a great one to keep in the car for trips when that roadside repair pops up. BMW 02 Series – The Cult Car was published by BMW in the year 2000. It was a limited edition printing and has been out of print for some time also. They have become prized possessions of those lucky to land a copy before they were gone. It was developed and produced by BMW around the year 2002. It sold for around $50 originally, and was worth every penny. Despite a wealth of history, folklore and wonderful photographs from the BMW Archives, it even includes a reproduction of the original BMW 2002 Turbo brochure.