Project Time. Touring or 2 door?

[Crazyoll]

So after reading a few fantastic restore threads (beardymat & simon13, to mention two of my faves) I am inspired to get on with my own project.
I have some options and questions that i'd like some oppinions on...

I have a donor car:
1.8 Touring (flakey laquered, red/pink) which has been converted to a 2.5.
A close mate had this as he was into drifting so it has some pretty sporty parts:
Gearbox from a sport
Stage 2 clutch
3.90:1 LSD
Lowering springs and matched shocks
Slotted disks
and an E36 stearing rack.

Unfortunatly, the head went bang so the engine went under a rebuild which involved, new rings and conrod bearings and the head was worked to give a 3 angle valve seat. aprox 15K miles since rebuild.
Also, the interior has been removed and all that remains are the two front seats. Outside, the paint is in a terrible condition and there are a couple of scratches. In keeping with the age there are a few parking dents and some rust spots. - rear arches seem ok, fronts need a bit of work and there are a few patched up holes in the footwells.

I plan on buying:
325i 2 door chromie in white (though currently, a lovely dust grey) Currently stored in a barn, previously garaged or covered.
Interior is mint (sadly not a sport interior)
68K miles from new (older sensible drivers)
Rust seems to be at a minimum (thought i've seen these things can be like a kinder egg - you dont know what you will find inside)
the rear arches have a slight frilly bit underneath them.
the front jacking points feel a bit crispy but otherwise no bad signs..
Front chrome bumper has rusted but can easily be replaced.


What i'd love to do is transplant the best bits of the touring into the chromie.
I'm not really into the drift scene. What i'd love is a very tidy modern classic which is fun to drive.
I'd like to keep it looking original but lower it ever so slightly (not into stance, bruv..)

It's my second car so pleanty of time to work on it/leave it in pieces at various stages of compleation.
I'm wondering what you guys think of this plan?

What do you think is worth saving from the touring?
Would it be wise to put the rebuilt engine into the Chromie, or keep original?
I'd keep whichever one dosent go in as a 'rainy day spare' incase one went bang.

Also, what could I do with the touring shell - it seems a shame to scrap it, would it be saleable? or should i reach for the sabre-saw and scales?

Any ideas or comments greatly appreciated. Loving the Zone.

[Morat]

I'm biased in favour of the Touring, but a two door chromie would be my second choice. They can look stunning, although most people seem to build them up in dark colours. Touring shells are only rare in good condition.
In your position the Head would go with the least rusty, but I can well see the Heart heading into two door chromie-land - probably in a cloud of rust and filler. You're going to need to check that 2dr out VERY carefully!

A third option... find a clean 316/320 touring of much cheapness and swap the good bits into that.

[Grrrmachine]

I'd say better the devil you know. You already have a half-stripped touring with a lot of the problem areas identified or addressed, and that's a much better starting point than a 2-door with known frilliness that could potentially lead to a lot more work for no more gain.

If you want to see the Touring rust spots, read my resto thread - I think I got all of them there

[Rich320I]

the chromie will probably have the earlier 'hihg' compresion 325 engine?

personnally i like tourings, but if it where my choice id be rocking the 2 door chromie, nice houndstooth sport interior, rear blind, bbs etc nice and OEM would be very