Powertrain families
M10 inline-four
02 Series (1602–2002) — Cabriolet
1966–1977
Editorially reviewedReviewed 2026-08-10; market and model-year scope is stated in the record sources.
- Internal code
- Baur
- Production
- 1966–1977
- Body style
- 2-door convertible
- Platform
- historic BMW platform · model-specific layout
Body variants
02 Series → 1602–2002 → Cabriolet
02 Series 1602–2002: history, design and engineering
How this generation came about, what made it different and how the selected cabriolet fits into the family.
The 02 Series began as the 1600-2: a shorter, lighter two-door development of the four-door Neue Klasse sedan. The “-2” identified the two-door model rather than engine tune; the badge was simplified to 1602 in 1971 as BMW expanded the family around a common compact structure.
The 2002 arrived in 1968 with the two-litre M10 and became the range's defining export model. Carburetted 2002 and 2002 ti, fuel-injected 2002 tii, the 2002 Turbo, lower-cost 1502/1602/1802 versions and market-specific specifications must be recorded separately rather than treated as one engine progression.
The body tree extended beyond the two-door three-box car: Baur-built full convertible and later TopCabriolet variants and the three-door Touring hatchback have their own production periods and dimensions. Most of the range gave way to the E21 in 1975, while the economy 1502 continued until 1977.
1966–1977generation lifecycle
3body branches
1engine/drive families
15range designations
1602–2002factory code
historic BMW platform · model-specific layoutarchitecture
Cabriolet: dimensions and packaging
Dimensions can change with body, market and model year, so this page keeps them tied to the exact factory branch.
Length4,230 mm
Width1,590 mm
Height≈ 1,410 mm
Wheelbase2,500 mm
Luggage≈ 350 L
Fuel tank50 L
Seats4
Doors2-door convertible
| Body | Code | Production | Doors / seats | Length | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-door Sedan | 1602–2002 | 1966–1977 | 2-door sedan / 5 | 4,230 mm | ≈ 450 L |
| 3-door Hatchback | Touring | 1966–1977 | 3-door hatchback / 5 | 4,110 mm | ≈ 340–1,000 L |
| Cabriolet | Baur | 1966–1977 | 2-door convertible / 4 | 4,230 mm | ≈ 350 L |
Engines and powertrains
The generation could span very different engines and drivetrains. The table keeps output, gearbox, market and production period together.
Factory modification matrix
Documented cabriolet applications; output and availability remain market- and model-year-specific.
| Model | Years | Engine | Output | Transmission | Drive | Market | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1968–1975 | M10 2.0 L inline-four | 100 hp | 4MT / 3AT | RWD | Global range | BMW 2002 |
| 1600 Cabriolet | 1967–1971 | M10 1.6 L inline-four | 85 hp | 4MT | RWD | Europe | BMW 02 Series Convertible |
| 2002 Baur Cabriolet | 1971–1975 | M10 2.0 L inline-four | 100 hp | 4MT | RWD | Europe | BMW 02 Series Convertible |
Factory designations
1502 · 1600-2 · 1602 · 1802 · 2002 · 2002 ti · 2002 tii · 2002 turbo · 1600 Touring · 1800 Touring · 2000 Touring · 2000 tii Touring · 1600 Cabriolet · 1600-2 Baur · 2002 Baur
Petrol engines
Inline and V engines are grouped by engine family, displacement, induction system and emissions specification.
Diesel derivatives
Where diesels were offered, output, injection generation and emissions hardware are recorded market by market.
How power reaches the road
Gearboxes, driven wheels and final-drive hardware changed with engine, market and production date.
Transmissions
Gearbox type and unit code follow engine, market and production date. Gear count alone does not identify the transmission.
Driven wheels
Catalog architecture: historic BMW platform · model-specific layout. All-wheel-drive availability and hardware remain derivative-specific.
Final drive
Ratio, differential type and electronic control belong to the exact derivative and can differ on performance models.
What changed underneath
Suspension, brakes, safety systems and electronics evolved across the range, even when cars shared the same basic architecture.
Body-branch dimensions
- 1602–2002: 4,230 mm × 1,590 mm × 1,410 mm
- Touring: 4,110 mm × 1,590 mm × 1,380 mm
- Baur: 4,230 mm × 1,590 mm × ≈ 1,410 mm
Body & suspension
- Mounting points and geometry follow the body branch
- Springs and dampers follow axle load and chassis package
- Wheels and permitted loads follow the factory label
Brakes & steering
- Brake size follows engine and equipment
- Assistance type and steering ratio can change
- ABS/DSC generation follows model year
Passive safety
- Airbag count varies by market and year
- SRS parts are VIN-specific
- Structural repairs require factory procedures
Electronics
- Vehicle-bus generations changed during production
- Control-unit software levels must remain compatible
- Retrofits are recorded separately from factory equipment
How the generation evolved
The important launches, additions and updates did not always happen at the same time for every body or market.
1600-2 launch
The shortened two-door Neue Klasse derivative debuted at the Geneva motor show and entered production.
BMW 2002
The two-litre 2002 established the model's core performance identity and export reputation.
Touring and 2002 tii
The three-door Touring joined the range, while fuel injection replaced the twin-carburettor ti at the top of regular production.
2002 Turbo
The turbocharged homologation-era flagship became a distinct short-lived derivative.
E21 transition
The E21 replaced the main 02 range in 1975; 1502 production continued to 1977.
The versions that stood apart
Performance models, option packages and regional editions may look related, but their engineering and production identity can be very different.
Two-door Sedan
1602–200202 Series 1602–2002 is a distinct 1602–2002 body branch. A two-door three-box body: visually close to a coupe, but catalogued within the model line’s sedan family. Engines/drive: M10 inline-four.
3-door Hatchback
Touring02 Series Touring is a distinct 1602–2002 body branch. A compact hatchback body with two passenger doors and a full-height rear hatch. Engines/drive: M10 inline-four.
Cabriolet
Baur02 Series Baur is a distinct 1602–2002 body branch. An open body with a folding roof and generation-specific structural reinforcement, seating and luggage packaging. Engines/drive: M10 inline-four.
Inside the car
Cabin technology and standard equipment changed by country and year; a build sheet remains the best guide to one individual car.
Cabin & comfort
- Trim and seats follow option codes
- Climate systems vary by market
- Audio and navigation changed by model year
Lighting & assistance
- Lamp technology and modules follow production date
- Driver assistance cannot be inferred from buttons alone
- Regional rules affect lighting and warnings
What to check today
A practical starting point for inspecting and maintaining a car from this generation — not a diagnosis of an individual example.
Identify first
- Match VIN on body and documents
- Obtain the factory option list
- Confirm market and production date
Inspect the structure
- Check repairs and corrosion
- Assess suspension, brakes and tyres
- Compare fitted parts with factory specification
Mechanical history
- Read faults with compatible diagnostics
- Verify engine and transmission maintenance
- Separate invoices from unsupported verbal history
| Item | Interval / trigger | Catalog note |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | CBS/factory schedule; time and mileage for historic cars | Oil approval follows the exact engine and market. |
| Brake fluid | Time-based factory schedule | ABS/DSC-compatible bleeding procedure is required after hydraulic work. |
| Coolant | Factory schedule and condition | Fluid specification and bleeding method are generation-specific. |
| Transmission & final drives | Unit type and operating conditions | Use the exact approved fluid; no one interval fits every derivative. |
How to identify the exact car
The badge and registration year tell only part of the story; production date, body code, engine and factory options complete it.
- Factory body codes
- 1602–2002 — Two-door Sedan; Touring — 3-door Hatchback; Baur — Cabriolet
- Range designations
- 1502, 1600-2, 1602, 1802, 2002, 2002 ti, 2002 tii, 2002 turbo, 1600 Touring, 1800 Touring, 2000 Touring, 2000 tii Touring, 1600 Cabriolet, 1600-2 Baur, 2002 Baur
- Powertrain families
- M10 inline-four
- VIN
- Identifies model, plant and production branch and keys the parts catalog and factory equipment record.
- Production date
- More useful than first-registration year when choosing parts and locating technical revisions.
- Type code
- Refines engine, body, market and transmission combination.
- Option codes
- Confirm factory equipment; later retrofits are recorded separately.
- Unit number
- Supports engine or gearbox originality checks and component applicability.
Where the information comes from
The story is mapped through English Wikipedia and its bibliography, then important dates and technical claims are checked against BMW material.
- 01BMW 02 SeriesWikipedia contributors
Secondary model, body, lifecycle and market history for the complete 02 family.
- 02BMW 2002BMW Group Archive
Factory-archive chronology and production context for the central 2002 derivative.
Notes and limitations
- Research revision dated 2026-08-10: English Wikipedia was used as a subject and bibliography map; key claims were checked against the listed primary BMW Group material.
- The English Wikipedia page is detailed but mixes global and US model-year chronology. Exact lights, bumpers, emissions equipment and outputs require a market field in modification records.
- ‘Two-door sedan’, Touring and Baur open bodies are separate catalog branches; the 2000 Touring's early badge does not make it a New Class sedan.
- Tree years describe the worldwide generation lifecycle; individual market dates may be narrower.
- Exact dimensions, power, weight and emissions belong at body, engine, market and model-year level.
- Known-issue guidance is editorial context and never replaces inspection of the individual vehicle.
2 primary references · market differences documentedPhotography: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Rights checked 2026-08-06; wikimedia commons 1,800 px derivative downloaded; local 640 px and 1,280 px avif versions created without cropping.Updated 6 August 2026