Sexy 2002

I would need a class on how to keep that black so clean.

I know I'm in the minority here, but these cars while cool, don't do much for me. As others have mentioned, seems expensive for the car. With as much effort put into it, I would have expected some minimal upgrades like EFI or something...

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: To me that is a very nicely painted and appointed square tail light car with tack on fender flares from IE, basic suspension upgrades and a mostly stock M10. It is pretty - but $10k tops. When we get to $16k I expect to see round tail lights, a 5 speed swap and some JRZs.

That's more in line with what I thought but 2002 prices must be out of wack with my personal reality.

Just like E30 prices are ridiculous nowadays.

Lulz at the hate though, then watch everyone swoon over a rust bucket held together with bailing wire and dreams.

I have to agree with DocBoost, it needs more chrome. Plus some power, oh and a personal assistant to detail and polish it after every drive.

Anyone here think they could replicate this for less than 20k?

In reply to NOHOME:

Materials alone? Possibly. But I don't have the skills and experience to replicate it by a long shot. Regardless, this guy is obviously building the cars to sell, so while I'm sure he's got a bunch of hours into each car, I'd bet he's making a reasonable profit on them.

NOHOME wrote: Anyone here think they could replicate this for less than 20k?

I know what it cost me to have my M535i finished to a similar level as this car, plus he has the redone interior and the snazzy wheels...it's not cheap to do. I suspect he may not make his money back. However, cars like this one can and do change hands for pretty high sums - it's a matter of finding the right buyer.

No hate here at all. I think he has a solid business model that's working for him. After working over 3 of these I definitely think it can be replicated for less than 20k if you're not buying labor (he's collecting labor on the back end). He's starting with pretty clean runners - but square light, lowest value cars. The interiors are patterned out. Lot's of time and attention to detail cleaning up and looks like a good amount of time in body prep. No mentions on mechanical rebuilds...He's also way past any learning curves on building these - no down time figuring out how they're put together and probably a respectable discount on parts/supplies. Maybe a good comparison is Per's 2002 tii or one of Jakeb's m42 swaps?

So could you build one yourself for less than 20k? Yeah, I think so (especially if it's your 10th 2002 build. I don't think you could drop off a crusty 2002 at a shop and expect this level of results for less than $20k though. It is gorgeous.

Cool, but I like Per's better.

NOHOME wrote: Anyone here think they could replicate this for less than 20k?

I could but it would take a while heh. I don't see any one single item that is cost prohibitive aside from maybe finding a car to start with (those cars are large piles of rust oxide in these parts ie rustbelt).

Now if you are paying someone else to paint the car, do upholstery, and mechanical work then I can see why the car hitting the 20K mark. If you take away two of those on your own you could make it.

Nice build but why didn't he change the radiator fan to electric? It'll be a shame when that cool red fan eats that minty black radiator for breakfast.

Nice car but for that money I'd have something with a bit less flash. A solid 02 isn't that expensive so I'm kind of missing where the price comes from, looks clean but I don't really want a car with 2500$ rims on it.

M2Pilot wrote: I somehow seem to remember seeing it on ebay within the past few months.

I was thinking the exact same thing!

What is the single vent opening on the passenger side in the air dam?

Tow hook

If that's the factory turbo air dam and flare kit, the large hole on the passenger's side is the intake for the turbo. Tow hook would likely be a screw-in that mounts in that smaller hole higher up on the driver's side.

plance1 wrote:

DrBoost wrote: My, that's nice. I think I'd like the bumpers to be chrome though. The chrome around the windows need some company. What an amateur job

The smilie face means, you're kidding of course, right?

Yeah, totally kidding that it's an amateur build. But I would actually like some chrome, or none at all. The little chrome that's there looks a little out of place. But understand that I'm not trying to be critical. That car is soo much better than anything I've ever built, and ever will.

I agree with you on all points, Dr.

mad_machine wrote: I agree with you on all points, Dr.

Could you teach just that one sentence to my wife please? That would make my life much easier.