Not really a new member…but back!

[derin100]

I’m not really new having previously been on here with my E85 3.0Si and then Z4M and Alpina Roadster S, both of which I sold in the summer just gone.

I didn’t expect to be back….but I am! Just collected a low mileage E89 35i with manual gearbox!

I’ve only driven it the 100 or so miles home last night so still very much in the ‘compare and contrast’ phase.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome back. But you know we like to see photos so don't let us down!

It would definitely be interesting to see how it compares to your E85s.

 

[RMB]

Looks like you’ve owned 3 of the best E85s. What was your favourite? Pictures of all 4 would be great!

 

[derin100]

I think of the E85s the best ‘bangs for bucks’, in the real world, was easily the 3.0Si.
Outright performance was the Z4M. Although that extra performance wasn’t really translatable to the public road, it did feel faster than the Alpina. It sounded better too!
The Alpina was the ‘prettiest’ car and in real terms no slower than the Z4M. However, contrary to popular belief, it didn’t ride any better than the Z4M. 19” wheels were an Alpina mistake, if you were driving it on UK roads, IMO. Also, you did have to work it harder than the Z4M to get the same performance.

So far, this E89 seems more refined…but not as wildly as I had imagined, given its looks. It still feels very much a ‘sports-car’. Still very much like the E85 Z4. I also own a Mercedes R230 SL and if I had to do a really long continental journey, I would still rather take the SL. Slower but everything feels more solid and expensive.

But, even after a very short experience, this E89 35i in manual guise, seems as much as any sports-car as I’d serious want!

(Still trying to figure out how to post pics here again - so, previous owners image)

 

[Mr Tidy]

Looking good!

I've only had E86s, but also can't help thinking the 3.0Si is the sweet spot. Then again M just has that certain something special, although it doesn't come cheap in running costs. :roll:

The thing that has thrown me in Alpina/M comparisons is how much lower revving the Alpinas are. I suppose what people prefer depends on whether they want a strong mid-range or high-rev madness!

Anyway a manual 35i seems to be quite a rarity so enjoy. :driving:

 

[derin100]

Thank you!

The weird thing about the Alpina is that contrary to instinct (having owned other Alpina cars in the past) it has to be worked harder to deliver its performance than the Z4M. it was definitely ‘there’ but you really had to rev it to get its max. The Z4M actually seemed to have a little more low-end grunt and smoothness.

Whilst the Alpina felt a more like a somewhat faster 3.0Si, the Z4M felt like a bit more of an ‘occasion’!

The thing that I’ve already noticed about this E89 35i is that it feels very fast in any gear. To the extent that it feels under-geared in 6th!

 

[buzyg]

Welcome back. Love those wheels. 8)

 

[derin100]

Thank you!
Me too! They’re 17” which maybe don’t look as ‘in hour face as’ 19” but on British roads and on RFTs must be a better drive? I
I already can’t imagine 19” s !!!

 

[Pondrew]

The thing that I’ve already noticed about this E89 35i is that it feels very fast in any gear. To the extent that it feels under-geared in 6th!

Lots and lots of torque in the N54; what with the two separate turbos and a large displacement (for a blown engine).

Most excellent. Congrat's.

 

[earthdweller]

Welcome back

Really interesting to read your views on the cars you've previously owned

There can't be many on here that have that real world experience of Si/M/Alpina

Enjoy your E89 although I must admit wafting across Europe in a SL has its appeal

Andy

 

[derin100]

Thanks guys!

 

[derin100]

Welcome back

Really interesting to read your views on the cars you've previously owned

There can't be many on here that have that real world experience of Si/M/Alpina

Enjoy your E89 although I must admit wafting across Europe in a SL has its appeal

Andy

I’m wafting to northern Germany from Lincolnshire tonight via Dover-Calais!
But, not in the SL. I’m going in my F07 530d GT. That’s actually way more comfortable than the SL! :lol:

 

[earthdweller]

Enjoy!

Yes the 7 series hatchback would be a great alternate

 

[derin100]

Thank you!
Comfort seats, Harman Kardon, VDC and 50 mpg are difficult to argue with! :rofl:

 

[Mr Tidy]

I think of the E85s the best ‘bangs for bucks’, in the real world, was easily the 3.0Si.
Outright performance was the Z4M. Although that extra performance wasn’t really translatable to the public road, it did feel faster than the Alpina. It sounded better too!
The Alpina was the ‘prettiest’ car and in real terms no slower than the Z4M. However, contrary to popular belief, it didn’t ride any better than the Z4M. 19” wheels were an Alpina mistake, if you were driving it on UK roads, IMO. Also, you did have to work it harder than the Z4M to get the same performance.

So far, this E89 seems more refined…but not as wildly as I had imagined, given its looks. It still feels very much a ‘sports-car’. Still very much like the E85 Z4. I also own a Mercedes R230 SL and if I had to do a really long continental journey, I would still rather take the SL. Slower but everything feels more solid and expensive.

But, even after a very short experience, this E89 35i in manual guise, seems as much as any sports-car as I’d serious want!

That's interesting.

I've only had E86s, but it always struck me that the 3.0Si offered the best "bang for bucks" too.

I'm surprised you had to drive the Alpina harder to keep up with an M, but I was also surprised by how strongly the M pulled at low revs given how high it revs.

Interesting that you prefer the SL for really long trips. My 330i daily has the 3.0Si engine and is much better for a long Motorway slog than my MC, but not on twisty fun roads. Maybe a 3.0Si is the best "one car" solution too!

 

[firebird]

Interesting to hear views from an experienced owner of some good earlier cars making comparisons to a e89 35i
No experience of the models before e89 myself, but always had the idea they were a more traditional sports car and the e89 was more sophisticated.
I opted to buy a 3.0 automatic e89 after some consideration, and find it to be what i need.
Had temptation from a twin turbo car not far from me and in my price range but decided it was not worth the riisk of big repair bills later on.
The performance the give is impressive though and they can be modified even further if you feel the need for speed.

 

[derin100]

I think of the E85s the best ‘bangs for bucks’, in the real world, was easily the 3.0Si.
Outright performance was the Z4M. Although that extra performance wasn’t really translatable to the public road, it did feel faster than the Alpina. It sounded better too!
The Alpina was the ‘prettiest’ car and in real terms no slower than the Z4M. However, contrary to popular belief, it didn’t ride any better than the Z4M. 19” wheels were an Alpina mistake, if you were driving it on UK roads, IMO. Also, you did have to work it harder than the Z4M to get the same performance.

So far, this E89 seems more refined…but not as wildly as I had imagined, given its looks. It still feels very much a ‘sports-car’. Still very much like the E85 Z4. I also own a Mercedes R230 SL and if I had to do a really long continental journey, I would still rather take the SL. Slower but everything feels more solid and expensive.

But, even after a very short experience, this E89 35i in manual guise, seems as much as any sports-car as I’d serious want!

That's interesting.

I've only had E86s, but it always struck me that the 3.0Si offered the best "bang for bucks" too.

I'm surprised you had to drive the Alpina harder to keep up with an M, but I was also surprised by how strongly the M pulled at low revs given how high it revs.

Interesting that you prefer the SL for really long trips. My 330i daily has the 3.0Si engine and is much better for a long Motorway slog than my MC, but not on twisty fun roads. Maybe a 3.0Si is the best "one car" solution too!

Yes, I think in the real world, the 3.0Si is the best one car solution.
Both the Alpina and the M car exceeded my driving ability (and nerve!). I never really used probably anywhere near their full potential or ever really tried to for more than a few seconds. So, it’s somewhat academic but the M did ‘feel’ the faster car with less input to do so. If that makes sense?

The 3.0Si was more accessible. I never really felt short of power but at the same time, never ‘over-powered’ by it either. It was also the cheapest to buy and own! I owned ALL three at the same stage! :rofl:

I did drive the 3.0Si all the way from Lincolnshire to Switzerland….but it wasn’t particularly pleasant doing so.

The Mercedes R230 is much more refined and cosseting….but it’s no sports car either. Even compared to the E89. I’ve driven that all the way down to Spain and up to Sweden plus several trips to Germany.

HOWEVER, as a long distance, continent-crushing machine: Yesterday, I did over 1000km (625 miles), non-stop apart from the Dover-Calais ferry, from Lincoln to Hannover in my F07 530D GT, in torrential rain all through France, Belgium, Netherlands and northern Germany.

I’ve done exactly the same journey, under similar conditions, in the SL before. The 530D GT is FAR better!

 

[paddy wright]

Welcome back together mad house!

 

[derin100]

Thank you.