State of the Art

WAKman · 09-03-2017, 07:12 PM

When we got married in 1981, my wife and I owned a 1974 2002, Inka Orange, that my wife called Genevieve. "Genny" had started out in Wisconsin before moving to St. Louis, where I bought her. Despite being only 7 years old, the car was already a total rust bucket, leaked whatever oil it didn't burn first, had a horribly slipping clutch, and crashed out seats. That summer, I went through the car as funds would allow, rebuilding the bottom end--without removing the block--in my parents' car port, and replacing the rear diff and the leaky gas tank, the latter the day before the wedding.

On our way to our honeymoon in New England, Genny overheated on the Connecticut Turnpike while waiting in a long line at a toll booth. My wife, game for any car misadventure, and I pushed the car for about a mile in the hot summer sun. Other than that problem, Genny served us well during the trip, even hitting an indicated 105 mph on a very long, straight stretch of deserted New Hampshire highway. Once back to St. Louis, because of the awful rust issues, I quit putting money into the car and traded it on a new RX-7, receiving a trade-in credit for $800.

Fast forward 36 years, and I again have a BMW, this one a 2008 M3. Unlike Genny, which was pretty much a basket-case beater after only 7 years, the M3 is pretty much spotless; rust is not a word in the BMW vocabulary any longer. And despite being fairly complicated, it still operates pretty much exactly as it did when new, and the interior is still almost like new. And--it will hit 105 mph by the end of my street.

It's not fair to compare a 2002 with an E92 M3, but it is remarkable to me how much more durable cars are today, even with all the complex systems they have. While I still have great fondness for the 2002--and am looking to buy a nice example--the quality and durability simply can't compare. The state of the art has marched on ceaselessly.

It's interesting to look back with clear eyes to see what was then, and what is now. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

Happy Labor Day, all!

Terry

Munichm3 · 09-03-2017, 07:24 PM

WAKman · 09-03-2017, 07:54 PM

Well, here's the M3.

Photos of Genny are somewhere in storage.

kscarrol · 09-03-2017, 08:42 PM

Great story! Here is a pic of my 2011 M3 and my wife's 1974 2002 Tii. We got it from a guy in Cali who had owned it since '76. No rust...

WAKman · 09-03-2017, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Great story! Here is a pic of my 2011 M3 and my wife's 1974 2002 Tii. We got it from a guy in Cali who had owned it since '76. No rust...

Al I can say is . . . wow! Inka is one of the world's great colors.

How do the two compare? All I have is memories from my much younger self, who was a lot more easily impressed!

kscarrol · 09-04-2017, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAKman

Al I can say is . . . wow! Inka is one of the world's great colors.

How do the two compare? All I have is memories from my much younger self, who was a lot more easily impressed!

There really is no comparison. The first thing that stands out is the lack of all the modern technologies we come to expect in cars. And I don't mean radios with bluetooth! The Tii has no power steering, the brakes while adequate do not have the power assist of modern brakes. It really is a bit of a workout just driving the car and I jokingly tell my wife I got her the car to keep her in shape!

It is a car that forces you to pay attention to your driving, much more than the M3. Longer stopping distance because of the brakes, harder to steer, seats not as comfortable etc. The 5 speed manual is fun but it is clunky and not as smooth as a modern manual. But don't get me wrong, it is a blast to drive though it is really a weekend car and not a daily driver for running errands etc.

GT3fan · 09-04-2017, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscarrol

There really is no comparison. The first thing that stands out is the lack of all the modern technologies we come to expect in cars. And I don't mean radios with bluetooth! The Tii has no power steering, the brakes while adequate do not have the power assist of modern brakes. It really is a bit of a workout just driving the car and I jokingly tell my wife I got her the car to keep her in shape!

It is a car that forces you to pay attention to your driving, much more than the M3. Longer stopping distance because of the brakes, harder to steer, seats not as comfortable etc. The 5 speed manual is fun but it is clunky and not as smooth as a modern manual. But don't get me wrong, it is a blast to drive though it is really a weekend car and not a daily driver for running errands etc.

Beautiful 2002Tii!

I'd love to have one along with an 84 Carrera. Unfortunately not enough garage space and $$.

Enjoy it!

Munichm3 · 09-04-2017, 08:54 PM

I'm loving that inka orange! That's a car I would keep for life in the garage.

E90M3velocity · 09-04-2017, 09:12 PM

Haha my M3's tech feels severely out of date compared to my new 2018 Camry beater. But I understand you, I had a 75 S30 Z and a 93 300ZX TT and they made my M3 feel state of the art. One thing though and I'm sure you understand with your 2002, my S30 Z made me focus on the driving experience and the car was theater compared to the M3. If you want to enjoy the drive and don't need to go some where quick a classic is the way to go.

09-03-2017, 07:12 PM	#1
WAKman Second Lieutenant 414 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3, 1985 Porsche 911 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	State of the Art When we got married in 1981, my wife and I owned a 1974 2002, Inka Orange, that my wife called Genevieve. "Genny" had started out in Wisconsin before moving to St. Louis, where I bought her. Despite being only 7 years old, the car was already a total rust bucket, leaked whatever oil it didn't burn first, had a horribly slipping clutch, and crashed out seats. That summer, I went through the car as funds would allow, rebuilding the bottom end--without removing the block--in my parents' car port, and replacing the rear diff and the leaky gas tank, the latter the day before the wedding. On our way to our honeymoon in New England, Genny overheated on the Connecticut Turnpike while waiting in a long line at a toll booth. My wife, game for any car misadventure, and I pushed the car for about a mile in the hot summer sun. Other than that problem, Genny served us well during the trip, even hitting an indicated 105 mph on a very long, straight stretch of deserted New Hampshire highway. Once back to St. Louis, because of the awful rust issues, I quit putting money into the car and traded it on a new RX-7, receiving a trade-in credit for $800. Fast forward 36 years, and I again have a BMW, this one a 2008 M3. Unlike Genny, which was pretty much a basket-case beater after only 7 years, the M3 is pretty much spotless; rust is not a word in the BMW vocabulary any longer. And despite being fairly complicated, it still operates pretty much exactly as it did when new, and the interior is still almost like new. And--it will hit 105 mph by the end of my street. It's not fair to compare a 2002 with an E92 M3, but it is remarkable to me how much more durable cars are today, even with all the complex systems they have. While I still have great fondness for the 2002--and am looking to buy a nice example--the quality and durability simply can't compare. The state of the art has marched on ceaselessly. It's interesting to look back with clear eyes to see what was then, and what is now. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be. Happy Labor Day, all! Terry
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09-03-2017, 07:24 PM	#2
Munichm3 Lieutenant 346 Rep 436 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW e92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (1)
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09-03-2017, 07:54 PM	#3
WAKman Second Lieutenant 414 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3, 1985 Porsche 911 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Well, here's the M3. Photos of Genny are somewhere in storage. Attached Images
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09-03-2017, 08:42 PM	#4
kscarrol Brigadier General 8912 Rep 4,107 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i, 1974 2002 Tii Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (0)	Great story! Here is a pic of my 2011 M3 and my wife's 1974 2002 Tii. We got it from a guy in Cali who had owned it since '76. No rust... Attached Images __________________ 2021 X3 M40i 1974 2002tii, Inka, 5 sp manual BMWCCA # 327475
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09-04-2017, 08:54 PM	#8
Munichm3 Lieutenant 346 Rep 436 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW e92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (1)	I'm loving that inka orange! That's a car I would keep for life in the garage.
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09-04-2017, 09:12 PM	#9
E90M3velocity Captain 338 Rep 923 Posts Drives: Manual-Slicktop E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bay Area CA iTrader: (4)	Haha my M3's tech feels severely out of date compared to my new 2018 Camry beater. But I understand you, I had a 75 S30 Z and a 93 300ZX TT and they made my M3 feel state of the art. One thing though and I'm sure you understand with your 2002, my S30 Z made me focus on the driving experience and the car was theater compared to the M3. If you want to enjoy the drive and don't need to go some where quick a classic is the way to go.
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