Trade up to a e89 sDrive35i?

[Aries326]

So I was looking at some cars the other night and I ran across a e89 sDrive35i AW with coral red interior. The prices on the 2009 model has come down quite a bit to a point I wouldn't mind selling the ride I have now for this one. Besides more HP, is the 35i that much better? How much more fun would it be to drive?

[Tommy_hf]

The E89 is a very good looking car in white, but the power increase gets offset a bit by the sheer weight of the car. It's quite heavy. If you want sporty, E85, if you want GT, E89. That said, I think yours looks great as it is :-)

[krusty]

Trade up?

[Tommy_hf]

yup up in weight, up in price, up in centre of gravity, up in luxury

[yousefnjr]

35is doesn't get a manual

End of story

Edit - just saw it's a 35i you're looking at, that's my reading comprehension for you

[Huz-Z]

There's nothing wrong with an E89 IMHO. Its a different take on the roadster from the E85 with a more upscale interior and a plusher ride. More grand touring car than sports car as mentioned above.

My service advisor remarked to me just this morning that if you go on a road trip with a full trunk, its top up all the way in an E89 as the stowed top uses a lot of trunk space.

More importantly, the 2009 E89 was the first year for the twin turbo with the high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) in the SDrive 35i. The HPFP units in that model year were notorious for causing repeated and frequent problems in some 35i's. I saw a few on line with a lemon title for that reason. I think BMW replaced many HPFP units in 2009 cars with the newer design used in the 2010 and later cars. 2009 cars with the newer HPFPs should thus be A-okay. Make sure that this has been addressed in the car you are considering. I'd hate to hear that you were having this problems with your new car.

The SDrive 30i avoided that problem by using the same naturally aspirated N52 engine that resides in your 3.0si.

[Vanne]

I read somewhere that the e89 was " how did Bmw get it so wrong in a car that looks this good?" Handling akin to a wet blanket. Looks hot, but is not.

Not my words, just the UAE wheels mag.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by Vanne

I read somewhere that the e89 was " how did Bmw get it so wrong in a car that looks this good?" Handling akin to a wet blanket. Looks hot, but is not.

Not my words, just the UAE wheels mag.

Hey Vanne! You are on to something there. I always take the views of reviewers with a grain of salt; its just one person's opinion. Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame actually loved the E89, but disliked the E85 and even the E85M that folks here love so much. So if you like it, screw what others say.

[Aries326]

Thanks for the honest replies, guys. Thinking this over, I don't think it would be that much of an upgrade at all.

Top down, I can't fit anything in the trunk. I'm sure in the future I'll be taking another long road trip with luggage in the back and I'd want the top down. My wife and I drove the Z from Rochester, NY down to Charlotte, NC with the top down and it was one of the best trips ever.

Heavier car doesn't sound right if I want a real sports car with good handling. I'd probably be disappointed if I compare it to my current Z.

Thanks for knocking some sense into me!

[Vanne]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Hey Vanne! You are on to something there. I always take the views of reviewers with a grain of salt; its just one person's opinion. Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame actually loved the E89, but disliked the E85 and even the E85M that folks here love so much. So if you like it, screw what others say.

thats cos Clarkson loves his bentleys..
id be more interested in what Hammond had to say.
that said, i do love the look of the E89. Ive never driven one.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Vanne

thats cos Clarkson loves his bentleys..
id be more interested in what Hammond had to say.
that said, i do love the look of the E89. Ive never driven one.

Hammond loved the M Roadster in his comparison to the Boxster S(I assume you haven't seen it yet?):

[Vanne]

Awesome!! I'd love to see a piece on the cayman S vs the e86 m

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by Vanne

thats cos Clarkson loves his bentleys..
id be more interested in what Hammond had to say.
that said, i do love the look of the E89. Ive never driven one.

In addition to the Z4M, Hammond drove the very first 2003 E85 Z4 when it replaced the Z3 and he really liked it. There used to be a clip of that Top Gear segment on YouTube that I used to watch from time to time to get me through the winters here, but it was pulled down for copyright infringement.

[Vanne]

Damn, anyone know where to find that? : ) chickdr, thanks for showing me the piece on the z4m with Hammond, that made me laugh.. : )

Probably enough off topic btw, let's get back on the merits of up(down grading to a e89..

The major plus for me would be the sunny days could be enjoyed with the top down. ( I used to own a zed 3 roady

[Aries326]

Maybe after I put my aero skirts and M bumper on I won't want the e89 as much.

[David70]

What do you think the net price would be (selling yours and buying it)?

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by Aries326

Maybe after I put my aero skirts and M bumper on I won't want the e89 as much.

There is a guy in my town with an E89. Every time he sees me in my E85 the dude does some serious rubber-necking as I drive by. 'Nuff said LOL!

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Aries326

Maybe after I put my aero skirts and M bumper on I won't want the e89 as much.

Aesthetics might help, but I think you should consider a gearing change. That can really liven things up.

[Aries326]

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

Aesthetics might help, but I think you should consider a gearing change. That can really liven things up.

I read up on Pokey's 3.64 upgrade. I might have to consider it down the road.