Hello jamesgarbett,
I've been looking at an E89 for sometime. Current issues have got in the way of my search but here's a couple of snippets I had with another chap who was searching..I can't compare them to an E85 as I've never driven one (bit too large for an E85)
Hope you find my personal view as an 'outsider' of use...
"Hi, a fellow medic is selling his 30 non turbo 6 auto which he let me drive for about half an hour..compared to my Audi A5 Quattro turbo it felt flat low down / mid range and the marriage with the auto box didn’t feel that good.
So since then I’ve driven dealer 35is auto for about 2 hours, a 20i auto, a 28 auto and a private 18 manual which had been re-mapped. A friend of mine who has a 2008 Boxster has been out with me and we swapped over so I’ve got a pretty good idea on there relative merits especially with driving my friends Boxster and his input too.
It’s amazing how big Hertfordshire is when you string together a few good roads to try out the different aspects.
My budget is flexible but my colour choice may turn out to be more limiting.
None of the cars were in a colour I wanted so my search continues ..I like the strong colours but most seem to be silver/black/white.
With the latest news I guess it’s all on hold now.."
"Of the test drives for various reasons the 18 manual showed the way forward.
The re-map was impressive, the ride and handling related aspects of the non factory 18 inch wheels with Goodyear tyres was much better than the standard tyres on the dealer cars on their 18 and 19 inch wheels.
What was missing was the 8 speed auto box which the dealer 20 and 28 had which was much better matched to the car than the manual.
In reality they were all very similar as you would expect in terms of long nose, low rear seating position, interior trim etc.
All the 18,20,28 had better feel on the front end and felt better poised than the 30 and 35 trying to take tyres and wheels into consideration.
The 18 and 28 left the 30 auto way behind in terms of real world driving, the 28 auto was never short of the right gear at the right time.
The 35 was the undisputed traffic light grand prix winner but the 18 actually went faster around bendy roads and never felt that it was slower than the 35 especially on the cold and greasy roads. Suprised that the 35 doesn't have a limited slip diff as it kept losing traction when provoked.
Sound wise they all sounded OK if different. V6s and V8s sound and feel better but that's not an option.
Cabin wise suprised at how much road noise intruded and a fair degree of NVH from the tyres on the dealer cars, which was worse roof up.
Smoothness of engines wise we couldn't really tell the difference apart from the 35 which actually felt rougher for some reason.
Both my friend and I were pretty much agreed comparing them to each other and to the Boxster and A5 we both know.
We know that you can get more power from the 35 too but the car doesn't seem to cope with what its got already, comng from a Boxtser or A5 perspective. The 35 felt a bit like my old TVR..not sure which end was going to let go first.
So I think I'm looking for a yellow or orange 20 or 28 auto which I will then get re-mapped, maybe add a few other tuning parts and get some decent tyres and wheels if its not already fitted.
Its 'newness' and optional extras are the focus I think for now!
I know already that is not what some people would conclude but that's our view."
