Considering E86 to E89...
- Thread starter Clobber
- Start date
San Francisco, CA
depends I guess what size engine e86 you have. I moved from e89 23i to the 35is. Quite a difference in performance (and price obviously!)...Clobber said:
Its a really great combination of style and comfort as well as pace if you want it.
Still a beautiful looking car, even having owned an e89 for 5 years I still look back at it and smile... I'd say go for it if you can afford one.
Prices seem quite buoyant at the moment though! you might get a 35i for a fair bit less, but you'll end up missing that "little extras" the "s" has!
Clobber said:
Obviously I’ve already got an E89 but the G29 is definitely growing on me, particularly when I see one in the flesh.
OP, can’t comment on the E86 but my 35iS is more than fun straight out the box. Always been a manual buyer and was slightly hesitant about the DCT but is definitely suits the car/engine, particularly when both engine and box in Sports mode. I just need to get out of the habit of instinctively moving my hand towards the gearstick when I go to overtake
It’s frighteningly fast when overtaking and on the move. Handles well with enough for me on the twisty Scottish roads. Fuel consumption wasn’t a consideration but it’s better than I expected, and better than my 23i which required a different driving style to get the best out of it. The only drawback I can see at the moment is that they, along with other types of cars, seem to be creeping up in price even given the time of year, and supply is limited and ones new to the market seem to be shifting quickly. Obviously the current situation will change that for the next month but then we’re heading into the tone where the market would normally take a natural uplift as it’s hopefully heading towards better weather
My suggestion is the same as was given to me before buying my 35is. Try driving one and guaranteed you will buy one. I did and I did.
The only thing I would consider changing it for is another but newer 35is or an i8 Roadster, which I can't afford and the wife finds it difficult to get in and out of. Changing the wife would of course increase the cost of an i8 significantly.
The only thing I would consider changing it for is another but newer 35is or an i8 Roadster, which I can't afford and the wife finds it difficult to get in and out of. Changing the wife would of course increase the cost of an i8 significantly.
North West Surrey
Well I suppose it depends on how you use your present car and what you like most about it.
I'm a bit old school with my cars and just loved how my 3.0Si engine loved ro rev and having a manual gearbox just made the car have an analogue feel to it. I'm not a fan of turbo engines, any sort of automatic gearbox or adaptive damping (just one more thing to go wrong at great expense).
And I've read a few times that the E89 is a bit less Sports car and a bit more GT than E85/86s. As my 3.0Si was a weekend fun car, when I was thinking of a change the only option I considered was an MC!
I took the plunge when I saw one advertised for a good price last December, and have no regrets - I still just love it. :wub:
If a manual 3.0Si rates 10 an MC is like turning it up to 13. :lol:
But I'm not sure I would want to run one as a daily driver. :roll:
If you still fancy an E89 but would like a manual gearbox some 35i models had one but I'd recommend trying one before you decide, or maybe an MC as well - just to be sure!
Happy hunting anyway.
I'm a bit old school with my cars and just loved how my 3.0Si engine loved ro rev and having a manual gearbox just made the car have an analogue feel to it. I'm not a fan of turbo engines, any sort of automatic gearbox or adaptive damping (just one more thing to go wrong at great expense).
And I've read a few times that the E89 is a bit less Sports car and a bit more GT than E85/86s. As my 3.0Si was a weekend fun car, when I was thinking of a change the only option I considered was an MC!
I took the plunge when I saw one advertised for a good price last December, and have no regrets - I still just love it. :wub:
If a manual 3.0Si rates 10 an MC is like turning it up to 13. :lol:
But I'm not sure I would want to run one as a daily driver. :roll:
If you still fancy an E89 but would like a manual gearbox some 35i models had one but I'd recommend trying one before you decide, or maybe an MC as well - just to be sure!
Happy hunting anyway.
Do it do it do it do it :evil:
Clobber said:
Try a manual 35i & a 35is , then buy the 35i
I accept its different ticks in different boxes to all owners as to which suits them best but of all my 16 Zs the 35is stands out in terms of disappointment
after a mapped manual 35i i genuinely thought the 35is would be a step up 
wrong :roll: Unless you need , want or crave automatic id avoid a E89 with DCT , it was a massive letdown for me & after id sold it just wouldn't consider PDK , DSG or any other variant of a non manual box .
For perspective on that i'm only discussing a car purely for Sat / Sun drives , long weekends & touring holidays , we have a F11 5 tourer family car , that is auto & perfect for the car & needs we want from it .
Wow some great responses thank you...
My daily is a 330e so I’m used to the paddles when pushing on... still prefer the full manual of the e86.
I think I’ve changed over the last few years in that a gt is more appealing... I should be taken out and shot...
G29 out of the question financially although the looks are growing on me. I pass 2 in my commute on the a605 every day
@clarker63 what extras does the is have?
Mr Tidy you have summed up my concerns very precisely... I guess I need to try one as others have suggested...
Mr Wilks your comments are aligned with my thinking which is a relief... need to find a 35i to have a go in!
My daily is a 330e so I’m used to the paddles when pushing on... still prefer the full manual of the e86.
I think I’ve changed over the last few years in that a gt is more appealing... I should be taken out and shot...
G29 out of the question financially although the looks are growing on me. I pass 2 in my commute on the a605 every day
@clarker63 what extras does the is have?
Mr Tidy you have summed up my concerns very precisely... I guess I need to try one as others have suggested...
Mr Wilks your comments are aligned with my thinking which is a relief... need to find a 35i to have a go in!
Stevo1987 said:Is that allowed in tier 3?john-e89 said:I don’t know where you are location wise Clobber but if you’re not a million miles from Derbyshire you’d be welcome to have a run out in my 365bhp mapped manual 35i.
It’s fine, the covid’s been mapped out
Rob