What to do?

[m42b32]

So as many of you know my e30 has sustained a minor fleshwound, and I have been debating what to do with it. I've narrowed it down to two options:

1. Replace the damaged sheet metal, rebuild a bunch of stuff, and then get it back on the road good as new. This would be more cost effective and I would end up with a really nice, fairly original e30 like I had before without much out of pocket.

-or-

2. Buy a 2002 or something along those lines, M42 swap that, and have a bad ass, 16v '02. And then save what is left of the e30 for a potential swap and a rebuild later. This could be fun because if anything happens to my dd M3 (more deer, rust, teenager texting while driving mom's minivan, etc) I will have a low mile s52 to put in it. Obviously this option will cost more than insurance gave me but it doesn't seem impossible to find a decent 2002. 

So what would you do? I'm really torn because I have always wanted an '02 and I can always get to the e30 later. But on the flip side an '02 could be a disaster of a project, and I could never end up fixing the e30.

[andyhundley]

Fix the e30!!!

[Earl]

Both are good options but I would say fix the e30 now and then maybe down the line you can get an 02 and do option 2=)

[m42b32]

Normally I wouldn't be flip flopping but I found a really nice looking 2002 in Illinois with no motor in it for less than what my insurance gave me. But I've been thinking about it more and fixing the e30 makes more sense because I know what I'm getting myself into

[YoungCR]

Preserve the E30!

[wasnt m3]

Fix the e30. Aside from looks(arguably), the e30 is a better car than a 2002 in nearly every way. I have owned several of both.

[m42b32]

Thanks for the opinions guys, seems pretty unanimous haha. I'll be fixing the e30 and saving the hot rod 2002 idea for another day