The BMW 2002 ti occupies a specific and often overlooked position in the 02 Series hierarchy: more potent than the base 2002, yet eclipsed in later reputation by the fuel-injected tii that replaced it from 1971 onward. This 1:18 die-cast by KK Scale fixes the car at that transitional moment — 1971, the final year of ti production — in a silver finish that was available from BMW as a factory colour option in period.
The Twin-Carburettor 2002 ti
Introduced in 1968 alongside the base 2002, the ti variant fitted dual carburettors — Weber or Solex depending on market — to raise output to approximately 120 PS DIN from the 1,990 cc inline-four. That figure, modest by today's standards, was enough to establish the 2002 as a benchmark two-door saloon in the European market. The model's 2,500 mm wheelbase and compact proportions gave it handling that outpaced more powerful but heavier contemporaries, underpinning BMW's performance reputation through the late 1960s and into the 1970s.
End of a Run: Why 1971 Matters
The 2002 ti was sold from 1968 until 1971, a three-year production window that ended when BMW shifted focus to the fuel-injected 2002 tii as its headline performance road variant. The 1971 model year is therefore the last expression of the carburettor-fed ti in standard production form. Silver — referred to in period BMW colour lists as Silbergrau — was among the factory options available on the 2002 series, a colour that reads as understated and correct rather than the brighter tones more commonly seen on surviving and modelled examples today.
KK Scale 1:18 Scale Model Car in Die-Cast Metal
KK Scale, listed in the brand's own catalogue, produces this BMW 2002 ti as a 1:18 scale model car in die-cast metal. The choice of die-cast construction gives the model solidity and a faithful rendition of the 2002's clean, unadorned body lines — a body that measures 4,220 mm in full size and translates well at this scale to a display piece that conveys the car's compact but purposeful proportions. KK Scale's focus on accessible 1:18 road-car subjects makes them a practical route into classic European saloon collecting.
In the Display Cabinet: BMW 02 Series and Beyond
The 2002 ti in silver pairs naturally with any collection built around late-1960s to early-1970s European performance saloons. Within a BMW-focused display it sits between a 1:18 2002 tii and, further along the shelf, the contemporary 3.0 CSL — giving a coherent narrative of how BMW's performance road-car range evolved across that decade. For collectors documenting the broader European saloon class of the era, the 2002 ti represents the German entry in a competitive field, and the silver finish distinguishes it clearly from more brightly coloured models of the same casting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the BMW 2002 ti, and how does it differ from the standard 2002?
The 2002 ti added twin carburettors — Weber or Solex depending on market — to the 1,990 cc inline-four, raising power to approximately 120 PS DIN. The base 2002 used a single carburettor and produced less power. The ti was sold from 1968 to 1971, after which it was replaced by the fuel-injected 2002 tii.
Why is the 1971 model year significant for the 2002 ti?
1971 was the final production year of the 2002 ti. From that point BMW transitioned to the 2002 tii as its performance road variant, making 1971 the last year in which the twin-carburettor ti was offered in standard production form.
Who makes this model and what material is it made from?
The model is produced by KK Scale and is made from die-cast metal at 1:18 scale. It reproduces the 1971 BMW 2002 ti in silver as a road-going production car.
Is the silver colour historically accurate for the BMW 2002 ti?
Yes. Silver — listed in period BMW colour documentation as Silbergrau — was among the factory colour options available on the 2002 series during its production run.
