3.0si E85 or 23i E89

C

coldel

Active member
So after spending a good 6-7 weeks looking for a 3.0si or 3.0i E85 I am still non close to getting what I want. I have found an SI which needs a bit of work but the potential cost of that pushes it up to circa £8k and above.

Which made me look at what I can get for £8k...yep I can get a slightly leggy 987 Boxster. I can also get a 350z Nissan. But I can also get a 23i E89.

Yes it is down some 60bhp, yes its heavier, but its more modern looking, interior upgraded, more of them have M Sport seats etc. As someone who likes to try different cars out...I wonder if I should be going for a 23i if another 3.0 E85 is going to be a bit of a wallet drainer.

Views?
 
It depends what you're looking for.
E85 and E89 are chalk and cheese as far as the driving experience is concerned.
E85- true roadster experience.
E89/G29- lardy GT/cabriolet.
 
Thanks Chris, at the moment, I just want my next car experience. I am quite open to either a Roadster or GT, what I dont want is something unreliable (Porsche) or something that doesnt make me look back at the car when I walk off (350z)
 
Thanks, but I do keep a very close eye on ads, literally checking AT Ebay FB PH a few times a day.

I am not after an Auto if its the E85 - friend of mine has one on his i and its not my thing really.
 
You are right about the 8k minimum spent, I got mine for 5700 and the required new wheels and tyres alone were already 1200.

But for me it is the hobby of restoring it, even if it costs 8k that you won't get back. The 23i is a nice car, I just can't get on with the rear of the E89 but if it was a daily I would rather get that though
 
Sorry, didn't make that clear. You mentioned looking back a the car when walking away - that rear end design of the E89 (like the old 6 series) was so wrong imo that I could not live with that look. The rest looks fine, you just have to reverse park everywhere :lol:
 
In that case, I would definately go for the 2.3 to give that a try
 
Lots of 23i to choose from..many are poorly spec’d so IMHO a bit of judicious shopping is required..

Tend to be pretty reliable…the N52 is the under stressed sister of the 3 litre version…chassis isn’t tortured by excessive power..

CherryM here has one approaching 150k miles..when you ride in it and close your eyes it could be a 3 year 20k mile car.

Not the fastest car but on our runs they seem to keep up ok.

It’s definitely got a milder personality than some others but many don’t find that a bad thing…

As said a popular model when made, plenty on the market..bit of fussy selection and ruthless negotiation should score a good ‘un :thumbsup:
 
I moved out of an e85 3.0si into an e89 23i, if you put both in front of me right now I wouldn't get back into the e85, yep the e89 is a bit lardier and more GT but thats no bad thing unless you specifically want the more sporty feel of a e85, the e89 is a big step up in quality on the old car imho
 
pvr said:
Sorry, didn't make that clear. You mentioned looking back a the car when walking away - that rear end design of the E89 (like the old 6 series) was so wrong imo that I could not live with that look. The rest looks fine, you just have to reverse park everywhere :lol:
Click to expand...

Agreed. The E89 is a decent looking car until you look at the rear imo.... We all have different tastes though, so go with what you want👊
 
coldel said:
Thanks, but I do keep a very close eye on ads, literally checking AT Ebay FB PH a few times a day.

I am not after an Auto if its the E85 - friend of mine has one on his i and its not my thing really.
Click to expand...

Can you go to £9k....

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305097167047?atmobcid=soc3
 
Thanks all good comments...I saw that one with the Aero kit and wheels. I think its a lot of money for something which just has the aero kit and the wrong wheels on it :D
 
coldel said:
Thanks all good comments...I saw that one with the Aero kit and wheels. I think its a lot of money for something which just has the aero kit and the wrong wheels on it :D
Click to expand...

😂 Nice example though and the alpina wheels do look lovely albeit it's not the real deal....

Maybe a cheeky offer at £8.5k?

Extremely low mileage and looks A1
 
Nothing wrong with a 23i - I sold mine 6 weeks ago and would probably have been ok for you as it was well equipped, (Msport Highline), was pretty much unblemished for a 11 plate, I like e89, mild to drive, decent interior and pretty reasonable on fuel.

Would have another without issues, would need to be an auto this time.
 
Ole gits rule said:
Nothing wrong with a 23i - I sold mine 6 weeks ago and would probably have been ok for you as it was well equipped, (Msport Highline), was pretty much unblemished for a 11 plate, I like e89, mild to drive, decent interior and pretty reasonable on fuel.

Would have another without issues, would need to be an auto this time.
Click to expand...

This 23i looks like a nice one but as an E85 owner, I have zero idea if this is good value...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304296815322?atmobcid=soc3
 
tomoz4white said:
Ole gits rule said:
Nothing wrong with a 23i - I sold mine 6 weeks ago and would probably have been ok for you as it was well equipped, (Msport Highline), was pretty much unblemished for a 11 plate, I like e89, mild to drive, decent interior and pretty reasonable on fuel.

Would have another without issues, would need to be an auto this time.
Click to expand...

This 23i looks like a nice one but as an E85 owner, I have zero idea if this is good value...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304296815322?atmobcid=soc3
Click to expand...

It’s quite a paltry spec…

A MSport version with goodies would be my preference…
 
B21 said:
tomoz4white said:
Ole gits rule said:
Nothing wrong with a 23i - I sold mine 6 weeks ago and would probably have been ok for you as it was well equipped, (Msport Highline), was pretty much unblemished for a 11 plate, I like e89, mild to drive, decent interior and pretty reasonable on fuel.

Would have another without issues, would need to be an auto this time.
Click to expand...

This 23i looks like a nice one but as an E85 owner, I have zero idea if this is good value...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304296815322?atmobcid=soc3
Click to expand...

It’s quite a paltry spec…

A MSport version with goodies would be my preference…
Click to expand...

👊👍
 
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